Product Name: Coarse-Pore Silica Gel
Chemical Name: Synthetic Amorphous Silica
Common Names: Silica Gel, Silicon Dioxide Gel
CAS Number: 7631-86-9
Molecular Formula: SiO2·nH2O
Manufacturer: [Supply Company Contact Name and Address]
Recommended Uses: Drying agent, desiccant, humidity control in packaging, preservation
Emergency Telephone: [24/7 Emergency Number]
Physical State: Beads or granules
Color: White, off-white, or translucent
Odor: Odorless
Health Hazards: May cause eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation if dust is generated. Long-term exposure to respirable crystalline silica may lead to silicosis or lung damage.
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous for most applications, but avoid inhaling dust.
Label Elements: Not considered a dangerous substance under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust. Wear protective clothing. Use in well-ventilated areas.
Chemical Identity: Silica, amorphous, synthetic
CAS Number: 7631-86-9
Concentration: >98% amorphous silica gel
Impurities: Trace residuals of sodium sulfate (typically less than 1%) do not significantly affect properties.
Other Additives: None or safe indicator dyes (some gels contain Cobalt Chloride as a humidity indicator; Cobalt Chloride is hazardous, so check packaging).
General Advice: Remove contaminated clothing. Seek medical attention in case of adverse health effects or if symptoms persist.
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air. Keep at rest. Give oxygen if breathing difficulties present. Seek medical attention if irritation or symptoms persist.
Skin Contact: Wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Remove any contaminated clothing. Seek medical help if irritation develops.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with plenty of water for several minutes, lifting eyelids. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Seek medical help if irritation persists.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention if large amounts are ingested or if feeling unwell.
Flammability: Non-flammable, non-combustible under normal conditions.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use extinguishing measures suitable for surrounding fire. Water spray, foam, dry powder, or carbon dioxide.
Special Hazards: Product does not burn or support combustion. Keep containers cool with water spray if exposed to fire. Avoid inhalation of fumes produced by surrounding fire.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Standard protective gear including self-contained breathing apparatus if in confined space.
Hazardous Combustion Products: No hazardous decomposition products expected from this material. May emit silicon oxides if exposed to extreme temperatures.
Personal Precautions: Avoid dust formation. Protect skin and eyes, wear gloves and goggles. Ensure adequate ventilation.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering watercourses or drains as dust, though compound itself is not a significant pollutant.
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up and collect in suitable, labeled containers for disposal. Vacuum or wet methods help suppress dust.
Spill Response: For small spills, sweep gently and transfer to waste for recycling or disposal. For large releases, cordon off area and control dust using damp cleaning techniques.
Precautions for Safe Handling: Use in well-ventilated areas. Avoid inhaling dust. Keep containers closed when not in use.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking around bulk material.
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place, in well-sealed containers or packaging to avoid moisture uptake and caking. Protect from water and humidity.
Storage Incompatibilities: Store away from hydrofluoric acid and strong alkalis, which may react with silica. Segregate from food and animal feed.
Container Materials: Use moisture-proof, chemically-resistant packaging such as plastic drums, fiber drums, or sealed bags.
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for amorphous silica (total): 80 mg/m3/(% SiO2). ACGIH TLV: 10 mg/m3 total inhalable dust.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust or general ventilation to keep airborne concentrations below established limits.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety goggles, gloves (nitrile or latex), dust mask (NIOSH-approved for nuisance dust). Long sleeves can reduce skin exposure.
Respiratory Protection: Where dust is generated, use a NIOSH-approved respirator for particulates.
Environmental Exposure Controls: Avoid discharge of dusty waste to air or water. Collect dust at source and dispose of according to local regulations.
Appearance: Granular or bead, white to transparent
Odor: Odorless
pH (in water): Approximately 6–8
Melting Point: >1600°C (unaffected at typical use temperatures)
Boiling Point: Not applicable – sublimes
Relative Density: 0.6–0.8 (bulk), 2.1 g/cm³ (true density)
Solubility in Water: Insoluble
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Particle Size: Common mesh sizes include 3–8 mesh, 8–16 mesh
Molecular Weight: Approximately 60.1 g/mol (SiO2)
Surface Area: 350–800 m²/g
Porosity: Highly porous, avg. pore size 60–100 Ångströms
Hygroscopicity: Absorbs moisture, showing weight gain on exposure to air
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions.
Reactivity: Inert to most chemicals except hydrofluoric acid (reacts to form toxic SiF4 gas) and strong bases (slow decomposition).
Risk of Dangerous Reactions: None under normal use. Avoid mixing with strong acids or bases.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: None expected through normal degradation.
Conditions to Avoid: Excess moisture (reduces efficacy), exposure to strong acids, bases, or hydrofluoric acid.
Incompatible Materials: Avoid storing with oxidizing agents, reducing agents, and chemicals reactive with silica.
Acute Toxicity: Not considered toxic by ingestion or inhalation for brief exposures. LD50 (oral, rat): >5000 mg/kg.
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: May cause mild skin irritation on prolonged or repeated contact, mainly due to drying effect.
Eye Damage/Irritation: Dust may cause mechanical irritation or dryness.
Respiratory Sensitization: Prolonged exposure to high levels of dust can irritate respiratory tract; inhalation of respirable crystalline silica (often not present in this product) can cause long-term lung damage.
Carcinogenicity: Amorphous silica is not classified as a human carcinogen. Crystalline silica (not typically present in coarse-pore silica gel) is recognized as a carcinogen by IARC and OSHA.
Mutagenicity: No evidence of mutagenic potential.
Reproductive Toxicity: No known effects identified.
Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure: Pre-existing lung conditions, allergies, or asthma may be aggravated by dust.
Ecotoxicity: Not toxic to aquatic or terrestrial organisms. Product is inert and not expected to bioaccumulate.
Persistence and Degradability: Chemically stable, not biodegradable. Remains in environment as insoluble mineral.
Mobility in Soil: Negligible; remains at surface or shallow layers.
Bioconcentration Factor: Not relevant to inorganic minerals.
Aquatic Toxicity: Does not dissolve in water and has minimal impact on aquatic systems.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent excess dust generation to protect local air quality.
Waste Treatment Methods: Treat as non-hazardous solid waste under most regulations. Recycle where possible, especially used gel that has absorbed water only.
Disposal Routes: Safe in municipal solid waste or landfill, subject to local regulations. Avoid dumping in drains.
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse containers if reusing or recycling. Dispose of oversized bags or broken packaging as municipal waste.
Environmental Effects: No known toxic effects; material is inert and does not decompose into pollutants.
Special Disposal Considerations: If silica gel contains indicator chemicals such as cobalt chloride, dispose of according to hazardous waste guidelines.
UN Number: Not regulated
UN Proper Shipping Name: Not listed as a dangerous good
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified
Packing Group: Not applicable
Marine Pollutant: No
Special Precautions: Keep packaging sealed and dry. Avoid physical damage to containers.
Regulatory Transport Codes: Not subject to ADR, IMDG, IATA, or RID restrictions
OSHA Status: Not hazardous under OSHA criteria.
TSCA (USA): Listed
DSL/NDSL (Canada): Listed
EINECS/ELINCS (EU): Listed (231-545-4)
SARA Title III: Not subject to reporting
California Proposition 65: Amorphous silica not listed. Materials containing crystalline silica (not typical for this grade) may pose reproductive hazards.
WHMIS (Canada): Not classified as hazardous
REACH (EU): Pre-registered
Additional Notes: If indicator dyes are present (e.g., cobalt chloride), see specific hazard data for those substances. Always check product specification sheet for specific local compliance.
