Cerium (7440-45-1)

General description about Cerium (CAS NO.7440-45-1) ,It is a gray colored, ductile solid. This form of cerium is slabs, ingots or rods. When heated to high temperatures, it will burn readily and may be difficult to extinguish. .
Air & Water Reactions: Finely divided metal powder is pyrophoric [Bretherick 1979 p. 170-171]. It will react vigorously if exposed to water or moist air and will generate flammable and/or toxic fumes.
Reactivity Profile: It is a strong reducing agent. Resembles aluminum in its chemical properties. [Lewis]. Reactivity is enhanced by a state of high physical subdivision, as in turnings or gritty powder. Attacked by dilute and concentrated mineral acids and alkalis with the generation of flammable gases. Readily oxidized by moist air at room temperature. Reacts with zinc with explosively violence. Gives very exothermic reactions with antimony or bismuth.
Health Hazard: Oxides from metallic fires are a severe health hazard. Inhalation or contact with substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard: May react violently or explosively on contact with water. Some are transported in flammable liquids. May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames. Some of these materials will burn with intense heat. Dusts or fumes may form explosive mixtures in air. Containers may explode when heated. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.

Reported in EPA TSCA Inventory.