Product Name: Crystal Cat Litter
Common Synonyms: Silica Gel Litter, Silica Crystals
Recommended Use: Absorbent material for pet waste control
Manufacturer Information: Distributed by major pet supply brands, address and emergency contact available on package
Emergency Contact: Local Poison Control, Emergency medical services
Product Description: Granular or beadlike silica-based absorbent
Classification: Not classified as hazardous under normal use
Potential Hazards: Inhalation may irritate respiratory tract, dust can aggravate existing lung conditions, direct eye contact causes irritation, ingestion by animals in large quantities can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort
Label Elements: Not considered dangerous, keep out of reach of children and pets not using a litter box
Precautionary Statements: Use in well-ventilated spaces, avoid generating dust, wash hands after handling, do not eat or allow pets to eat
Signal Word: None required for consumer packaging, caution for dust exposure
Component: Amorphous Silicon Dioxide (Silica Gel)
Chemical Formula: SiO₂•nH₂O (hydrated silica)
CAS Number: 112926-00-8 (precipitated silica), 7631-86-9 (synthetic amorphous silica)
Content Percentage: Ranges from 95% to 100% amorphous silica, small traces of moisture or color indicator (cobalt chloride for some scented crystals)
Other Additives: Scent agents or color indicators in some varieties, less than 3% by weight, ingredient disclosures vary by brand
Impurities: Typically absent, only trace amounts found in rare cases; not expected to contain toxic heavy metals
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, seek medical attention if symptoms like coughing or difficulty breathing persist
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing, seek medical attention for irritation
Skin Contact: Rinse skin with water, remove contaminated clothing, wash hands thoroughly
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, offer water to drink, do not induce vomiting, consult veterinarian if animal consumes large amounts, seek medical help for persistent symptoms
Note to Physician: Treat symptomatically, silica gel is chemically inert but may aggravate underlying lung or GI irritations
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide; product itself is non-flammable
Specific Hazards: Does not burn or emit hazardous gases, nearby combustibles may cause secondary hazards
Protective Equipment: Standard firefighter gear recommended, avoid inhaling dust from ruptured packaging
Explosion Data: No known explosive properties, will not react violently with water or air
Personal Precautions: Minimize dust generation, wear mask and gloves if sweeping up spills in bulk
Environmental Precautions: Prevent litter from entering waterways or drains, collect spilled material and dispose of with household waste
Cleanup Procedures: Sweep or vacuum spilled crystals, avoid scattering, place in appropriate waste container, rinse residue with water if needed
Safe Handling: Pour gently to avoid making dust clouds, keep container tightly closed when not in use, keep out of reach of children
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, keep container sealed, avoid exposure to moisture to maintain absorbency
Incompatibilities: Keep away from hydrofluoric acid and strong alkalis, as they react with silica
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for amorphous silica — 20 mppcf (million particles per cubic foot of air) as an 8-hour TWA, ACGIH TLV — 10 mg/m³ (inhalable)
Engineering Controls: Use in well-ventilated areas, local exhaust in high volume environments
Personal Protective Equipment: Not normally required for home use, N95 mask and gloves for industrial or frequent handling
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after use, remove contaminated clothing, avoid contact with eyes
Appearance: White to translucent beads or crystals, sometimes tinted blue, pink, or green with indicators
Odor: Odorless or mildly scented if fragrance is added
pH: Neutral (approximately 7.0 in aqueous solution)
Melting Point: Above 1,600°C (convert once to molten silica)
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Solubility: Insoluble in water
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Density: 700 – 800 kg/m³ (bulk)
Flash Point: Non-flammable
Decomposition Temperature: Not expected to decompose under normal domestic conditions
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and use conditions
Reactivity: Inert in typical environments, will react with hydrofluoric acid to produce toxic gas (silicon tetrafluoride)
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Not likely during normal handling, moisture exposure lowers absorbency but does not cause hazardous products
Conditions to Avoid: Prolonged contact with acids or alkalis, exposure to liquid water before use
Hazardous Decomposition Products: None under normal use, silica dust from damaged litter may aggravate respiratory conditions
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, eye contact, skin contact, ingestion
Acute Effects: Minor irritation to mucous membranes, especially eyes and throat, ingesting small amounts by pets or humans generally not toxic
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated inhalation of dust may aggravate lung diseases such as asthma or silicosis, not classified as a carcinogen in amorphous form
Sensitization: No evidence of skin or respiratory sensitization
Carcinogenicity: Amorphous silica not listed by IARC, NTP, or OSHA as a carcinogen, crystalline silica not present in consumer products
Ecotoxicity: Non-toxic to aquatic life in typical use concentrations, not expected to bioaccumulate
Persistence and Degradability: Silica gel is essentially non-biodegradable, remains in environment indefinitely
Mobility in Soil: Low, insoluble in water, typically remains where deposited
Other Adverse Effects: Litter should not be flushed or introduced into surface waters, municipal solid waste or compost preferred alternatives
Waste Disposal: Dispose of in accordance with local regulations for household garbage, do not flush in toilets or throw into storm drains
Packaging Disposal: Rinse and recycle if possible, otherwise discard with usual plastic waste
Contaminated Material: Soiled litter may carry minor bacterial loads, double bag before discarding to contain odor and contamination
UN Number: Not classified as dangerous goods
Proper Shipping Name: Silica Gel Litter, Consumer Commodity
Transport Hazard Class: Non-hazardous
Packing Group: Not applicable
Special Precautions: Avoid crushing bags during transport to prevent dust, secure containers to reduce spillage
OSHA Hazard Communication: Not classified as hazardous
TSCA Status: Ingredients listed
DSL Status: Listed (Canada)
REACH Status: Pre-registered in Europe
Other Regulatory Notes: Not regulated as a hazardous material under US, Canadian, or EU chemical legislation for consumer products; always check for local waste disposal and handling guidelines
