Material Safety Data Sheet: Silica Gel Powder

Identification

Product Name: Silica Gel Powder
Chemical Name: Silicon Dioxide
CAS Number: 7631-86-9
Recommended Use: Desiccant, moisture absorber, laboratory drying agent
Manufacturer/Supplier: Refer to local distributor or manufacturer details
Emergency Contact: Refer to national poison center or supplier information

Hazard Identification

Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS guidelines
Health Hazards: May cause eye and respiratory tract irritation; inhaling high concentrations may irritate lungs
Physical Hazards: Not flammable, not reactive under normal conditions
Environmental Hazards: Minimal risk to aquatic and terrestrial life; dust may affect local air quality
Label Elements: No specific label elements required for standard packaging in most regions
Signal Word: None required

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Composition: Amorphous silica
Purity: 98–99.9% silicon dioxide
Impurities: Trace levels of sodium oxide, aluminum oxide, iron oxide
Formula: SiO₂

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air; seek medical attention if irritation persists
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical attention if discomfort continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; seek medical advice if feeling unwell

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use media suitable for surrounding fire, such as water spray, foam, dry chemical
Specific Hazards: Material does not burn; no hazardous combustion products expected
Protective Equipment: Standard firefighting gear—self-contained breathing apparatus if dust forms

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Avoid creating dust clouds; wear respiratory protection for dust
Environmental Precautions: Prevent large spills entering watercourses
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up and place in containers for proper disposal; use wet cleaning methods or vacuum with HEPA filtration to minimize dust

Handling and Storage

Handling: Avoid breathing dust; minimize dust generation; handle with adequate ventilation
Storage: Keep containers tightly closed in dry, well-ventilated areas; avoid humidity; store away from incompatible substances such as hydrofluoric acid

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL (TWA) 6 mg/m³ (total dust); ACGIH TLV (TWA) 10 mg/m³ (inhalable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation recommended
Personal Protection: Safety glasses, dust mask or respirator (NIOSH approved), gloves, lab coat or work clothing

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to blue-white, fine powder
Odor: Odorless
Solubility: Insoluble in water and organic solvents
Melting Point: >1600°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Density: About 2.2 g/cm³
pH: 6–8 (in suspension)

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling
Incompatible Materials: Hydrofluoric acid, strong alkalis
Hazardous Decomposition: None identified; does not decompose at standard conditions
Hazardous Reactions: Not reactive under normal conditions

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, eye contact, skin contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Low oral toxicity; inhalation may cause irritation to respiratory tract
Chronic Effects: Prolonged overexposure may result in silicosis for crystalline varieties, but amorphous silica is a lower concern
Carcinogenicity: Amorphous silica is not classified as a known human carcinogen

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Not toxic to aquatic life
Persistence and Degradability: Will not degrade or bioaccumulate
Mobility: Product remains in soil and water as insoluble particles
Other Adverse Effects: Not expected

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Dispose of with regular solid waste in accordance with local/regional/national/international legislation
Contaminated Packaging: Clean container before recycling or disposal; follow regional requirements

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated
Packing Group: Not regulated
Special Transport Precautions: Avoid container breakage and dust spillage during transit

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Not hazardous
TSCA Inventory: Listed
REACH Status: Registered
Other Regulation: Complies with European, China, US, and Japanese chemical control laws; not subject to special restrictions

Material Safety Data Sheet: Micron Spherical Silica

Identification

Product Name: Micron Spherical Silica
Chemical Name: Silicon Dioxide
CAS Number: 7631-86-9
Recommended Use: Electronics, fillers in plastics and films, coatings, polishing agents
Manufacturer/Supplier: Refer to supplier documentation
Emergency Contact: Global poison center or supplier contact

Hazard Identification

Classification: Not hazardous by GHS classification
Health Hazards: May irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory tract if exposed to significant dust
Physical Hazards: Chemically stable, does not burn
Environmental Hazards: Not considered a risk to environment; dust control recommended
Label Elements: None required under current regulations
Signal Word: None assigned

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Composition: Amorphous synthetic silica
Purity: Over 99% silicon dioxide
Additives: None
Formula: SiO₂

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to open air; get medical attention if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Wash with water; no special treatment required
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with water until irritation ends; seek medical help if needed
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; consult physician if discomfort develops

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing Media: Use suitable means for surrounding fire conditions
Specific Hazards: Product is not combustible; does not release hazardous fumes
Protective Equipment: Basic fire protection gear; consider respiratory protection for heavy dust

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use dust mask in case of airborne powder; wear gloves and goggles during cleanup
Environmental Precautions: Do not discharge large quantities into drains or surface water
Cleanup Methods: Gather spilled powder using a suitable vacuum or damp sweeping; contain in labeled containers

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use with local extraction to control dust; take steps to minimize dust creation; avoid inhalation and direct skin contact
Storage: Store in closed containers in dry, cool areas; avoid moisture and incompatible substances like hydrofluoric acid

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Workplace Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV 10 mg/m³ TWA (inhalable), OSHA PEL 20 mppcf (millions of particles per cubic foot), or 6 mg/m³
Engineering Controls: Provide mechanical ventilation, especially when handling powder in bulk
Personal Protection: Use approved dust respirator, chemical safety goggles, gloves, protective clothing

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Spherical, white powder
Odor: No odor
Solubility: Insoluble in water
Melting Point: Above 1600°C
Boiling Point: Not available
Density: About 2.2–2.6 g/cm³
pH: 6.5–7.5 (dispersion)

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Consistently stable during standard use and storage
Conditions to Avoid: High humidity, prolonged exposure to strong alkalis or hydrofluoric acid
Hazardous Decomposition: None under normal use
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur

Toxicological Information

Exposure Routes: Inhalation, skin and eye contact
Acute Effects: Short-term exposure causes minor irritation
Chronic Effects: No reports of long-term toxicity for synthetic amorphous silica; crystalline forms pose different risks
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity: Not considered a mutagen or carcinogen for this form

Ecological Information

Eco-toxicity: Not harmful to soil or aquatic life at common concentrations
Biodegradability: Chemically inert and persistent in the environment
Mobility in Soil: Remains physically stable and does not leach
Other Environmental Data: Not listed as a priority pollutant

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal: Dispose of as non-hazardous industrial waste in compliance with local requirements
Container Disposal: Rinse thoroughly, recycle or discard as industrial waste following current guidelines

Transport Information

UN Number: Not applicable
Transport Class: Not regulated
Packing Group: Not regulated as a hazardous material
Transport Precautions: Double-bagging and sealing help to prevent dust leaks during shipment

Regulatory Information

Regulatory Status: Listed in public chemical inventories for global trade
OSHA Hazard Communication: Not classified as hazardous
RoHS/REACH: Conforms to listed standards
Other Regulatory Information: Product is not subject to special restrictions under most international frameworks