Product Name: Desiccant Silica Gel
Chemical Name: Silicon Dioxide, Synthetic Amorphous
Synonyms: Silica Gel, Silica, Amorphous Silica
Recommended Uses: Moisture absorber, drying agent in packaged goods, pharmaceuticals, electronics
Manufacturer/Distributor: Multiple global suppliers in chemical and packaging industries
Emergency Contact: Refer to local Poison Control Center, fire department, or safety officer in workplace
CAS Number: 7631-86-9
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS for normal exposure scenarios
Physical Hazards: Non-flammable, solid beads or granules; dust generation possible
Health Hazards: Inhalation of dust can cause mild respiratory irritation. Eye or skin contact might cause dryness or mechanical irritation.
Environmental Hazards: Product poses low risk to environment; not considered toxic to aquatic or terrestrial life under normal usage
Label Elements: Standard warning for dust inhalation; avoid direct contact with eyes; keep away from children
Component: Silica, Amorphous (SiO2)
Purity: Ranges from 90% to 100% depending on grade
Impurities: May contain trace amounts of metal oxides (such as Fe2O3, Al2O3) or color indicators for variant products
Form: Beads, granules, or powder, often with blue, orange, or white appearance depending on type and presence of color-changing agents
Inhalation: Move to fresh air; seek medical help if coughing or breathing discomfort happens
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly; no acute toxicity expected but seek medical advice after accidental swallowing
Skin Contact: Brush off material and wash skin with soap and water; apply lotion if dryness occurs
Eye Contact: Flush eyes gently with water for at least 10 minutes; remove contact lenses; get medical attention if irritation continues
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water, dry chemical, foam, or CO2; product itself does not burn
Special Hazards: Product will not support combustion; packaging materials may burn in a large fire
Protective Equipment: Standard fire-fighting gear including gloves and goggles; use respiratory protection if dust spreads in fire
Further Notes: Avoid inhaling dust or fumes if packaging combusts; ensure good ventilation during firefighting in storage areas
Personal Precautions: Avoid breathing dust; wear appropriate mask and safety goggles during cleanup
Environmental Precautions: Prevent large quantities from entering drains or waterways
Containment: Sweep up material and place in a suitable container for disposal
Cleaning Methods: Use vacuum with HEPA filter or dampen material to minimize dust during sweeping; wash spill area with water if indoors
Handling: Use in well-ventilated areas; limit dust generation by handling with care; keep away from children and pets as ingestion of color-change types can cause alarm due to dyes
Storage: Keep containers tightly closed and stored in a dry, cool place; protect from moisture to maintain desiccant properties
Storage Incompatibilities: Store away from hydrofluoric acid and strong oxidizing agents; avoid exposure to water or high humidity before use
Control Parameters: Occupational exposure limit for amorphous silica: OSHA PEL (TWA) 20 mppcf (million particles per cubic foot); ACGIH TLV (TWA) 10 mg/m³ for total dust
Engineering Controls: Work with local exhaust or general ventilation to avoid dust buildup
Protective Equipment: Wear dust mask, safety glasses, and gloves as needed for handling large amounts; avoid ingesting material
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling; do not eat, drink, or smoke in work area
Form: Solid, spherical or irregular beads, sometimes granular
Color: White, translucent, or color-indicating (blue or orange in some types)
Odor: Odorless
Molecular Weight: 60.08 g/mol
pH (suspension in water): Typically 4–8
Solubility in Water: Insoluble
Melting Point: >1,610°C (2,930°F)
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Density: About 2.2 g/cm³
Bulk Density: Variable, generally 480–720 kg/m³
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures
Reactiveness: Inert to most chemicals except hydrofluoric acid and strong alkalies
Hazardous Decomposition: None under recommended use; may release silica dust if degraded
Polymerization: Not known to polymerize
Conditions to Avoid: Contact with water before use reduces effectiveness as a desiccant; store away from acids and alkalis that may react with silica
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, eye and skin contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Practically non-toxic by ingestion; inhalation of dust may cause transient irritation
Chronic Effects: Long-term occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust (not amorphous) may cause silicosis, but synthetic amorphous forms do not present that hazard in normal use
Skin or Respiratory Sensitization: Not sensitizing
Carcinogenicity: Synthetic amorphous silica is not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Reproductive Toxicity: Not implicated
Symptoms of Overexposure: Drying, mild coughing, scratchy throat or mild skin dryness
Ecotoxicity: Data shows negligible toxicity to aquatic or land organisms
Persistence and Degradability: Remains stable and does not degrade in environment
Bioaccumulation: Does not bioaccumulate or enter food chain
Mobility in Soil: Low mobility, will remain near surface unless physically carried by water
Other Adverse Effects: No significant adverse ecological effects recorded under normal usage
Disposal Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations; silica gel may be disposed in landfill
Packaging Disposal: Follow standard practices for non-hazardous packaging
Special Precautions: Avoid contamination of water supplies during bulk disposal; broken sachets can be collected and placed in sealed containers for waste collection
Recycling: Some spent silica gel can be regenerated and reused, particularly in industrial dehumidification
UN Number: Not regulated for transport
UN Proper Shipping Name: Not hazardous
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified
Packing Group: Not applicable
Special Precautions for Transport: Prevent physical damage to containers; limit exposure to moisture during transport and storage
U.S. Regulations: OSHA status: Not hazardous; TSCA: Listed; no SARA Title III hazards
EU Regulations: REACH: Exempt or registered; not classified as hazardous
Other Regulations: No restrictions for regular consumer or industrial use; labeling required for safe handling in bulk industrial settings
Chemical Inventories: Registered or exempt in most global chemical inventories (Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, Philippines)
