Product Name: Silica Gel
Synonyms: Silicon dioxide, Amorphous silica, Precipitated silica
Recommended Use: Moisture absorption agent in cosmetics, anti-caking agent, carrier for active ingredients
Manufacturer: Standard chemical manufacturers for cosmetic grade products
Emergency Contact: Refer to local distributor or poison control hotline
CAS Number: 7631-86-9
Classification: Not classified as hazardous under normal use in cosmetics, considered non-toxic and chemically stable
GHS Label Elements: Not labeled as a hazardous substance; no pictogram required
Potential Health Effects: Inhalation of dust may cause mild respiratory tract irritation; contact with eyes may cause transient discomfort; ingestion not expected to cause symptoms under typical use levels
Environmental Hazards: Silica gel does not pose a significant danger to aquatic life or the broader environment when handled and disposed according to established guidelines
Special Hazards: Airborne dust can present slipping hazards near large spills; risk of drying out mucous membranes through direct and prolonged exposure
Chemical Identity: Amorphous silica
Common Name: Silica gel
Content (%): >99% silicon dioxide (SiO2)
Impurities and Stabilizing Additives: Cosmetic grades produced to minimize impurities like heavy metals; typically less than 0.05% trace elements
Physical State: Granular, bead, or powder form depending on the cosmetic application
Inhalation: Move to fresh air; seek medical attention if irritation or symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Brush off; wash with soap and water; medical assistance rarely needed
Eye Contact: Flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; seek attention if discomfort continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; seek treatment if large quantities are consumed or symptoms develop
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use any media including water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Specific Hazards: Product does not burn; dust can marginally contribute to localized visibility issues
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Standard gear for surrounding fire situations
Explosion Risks: No specific risk associated with silica gel; dust clouds in confined spaces may ignite only if contaminated with flammable materials
Personal Precautions: Avoid breathing dust; wear suitable dust mask and gloves
Spill Cleanup Methods: Sweep up to avoid dust formation and potential slips; dispose of in a container according to legal requirements
Environmental Precautions: Prevent large amounts from entering drains; product does not dissolve and will settle out, use vacuum or damp cleanup methods for best results
After Cleanup: Wash area with water to remove remnants, ventilate
Handling: Keep containers tightly sealed; avoid dust generation using local exhaust or appropriate PPE; handle with dry, clean tools
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, acids, and incompatible materials such as hydrofluoric acid; keep packages off floors and away from direct sunlight
Incompatibilities: Hydrofluoric acid will react with silica to form toxic gases
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for amorphous silica: 20 mppcf (million parts per cubic foot) TWA; ACGIH TLV: 10 mg/m3 inhalable fraction
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation recommended during high-volume processing
Personal Protective Equipment: Dust mask or respirator for handling bulk quantities, safety goggles for dusty environments, gloves to prevent drying skin
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands thoroughly after handling; do not eat, drink or smoke during use
Environmental Exposure Controls: Avoid release of significant quantities to wastewater systems, especially in areas lacking solid filtration systems
Appearance: White powder, beads, or granules
Odor: Odorless
pH (10% slurry): 6.0–8.0
Melting Point: >1700°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable, decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Insoluble in water and organic solvents
Specific Gravity: 2.1–2.6 (depending on pore structure)
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not applicable
Decomposition Temperature: Stable up to high heat, above 1000°C
Particle Size: 2–60 microns (cosmetic grade range)
Bulk Density: 0.5–0.8 g/cm3
Flammability: Non-flammable
Upper/Lower Flammability Limit: Not applicable
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not applicable
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and normal temperature conditions
Reactivity: Inert for most chemical processes used in cosmetics
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Yields silicon tetrafluoride gas if exposed to hydrofluoric acid; otherwise none identified
Hazardous Reactions: No polymerization or hazardous reactions noted under usual working environments or temperature ranges
Acute Toxicity: Low oral and dermal toxicity; not classified as harmful
Chronic Toxicity: Inhalation of large amounts of dust over prolonged periods may affect respiratory health
Skin Irritation: Non-irritating on healthy, intact skin as proven by cosmetic use tests
Eye Irritation: May cause short-term mechanical irritation
Carcinogenicity: Amorphous silica not listed as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA for products supplied to cosmetic industry
Mutagenicity: Not expected based on related silica gel types
Reproductive Toxicity: No evidence from animal or human studies to suggest harmful effects
Ecotoxicity: Silica gel possesses minimal toxicity for aquatic and terrestrial life, does not bioaccumulate
Persistence and Degradability: Inert mineral; does not degrade in the environment over normal timeframes
Mobility in Soil: Low mobility; settles out in landfill or aquatic bed sediments without migration
Other Adverse Effects: No known impact on ozone or greenhouse gases
BOD/COD: Not applicable for inorganic solids
Aquatic Life: No acute or chronic toxicity reported at environmentally relevant concentrations
Waste Disposal Methods: Small quantities can be disposed of with household refuse in accordance with local rules; larger volumes taken to approved landfills
Contaminated Packaging: Clean containers before recycling or dispose according to local guidelines
Environmental Impact: Avoid uncontrolled disposal into the environment or drainage without filtering solids; treated as non-hazardous waste by most authorities
UN Number: Not regulated
UN Proper Shipping Name: Not classified
Transport Hazard Class: Does not fall into dangerous goods categories
Packing Group: Not assigned
Special Precautions for Transport: Standard handling for dry, non-combustible products
Bulk Transport: Follow facility-specific practices to prevent dust
Marine Pollutant: Not regulated for water transport or marine pollutant
OSHA: Not regulated as hazardous under United States OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act): Listed
REACH (EU): Exempt as a naturally occurring substance used in cosmetics
WHMIS (Canada): Not classified as hazardous
California Proposition 65: This product does not contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm
Other Standards: Meets global regulations for cosmetic-grade raw materials, including ISO guidelines for cosmetic safety
Labeling Requirements: No hazardous labeling needed for silica gel in cosmetic use, but ingredient listing required per jurisdiction
