Product Name: Thin-Layer Chromatography Silica Gel Plates
Product Code: Varies by manufacturer
Recommended Use: Separation and analysis of compounds in laboratory settings
Manufacturer: Refer to packaging or supplier documentation
Emergency Telephone: Provided on product packaging
Synonyms: TLC Plates, Silica Gel on Glass or Aluminum Backing
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS criteria
Physical Hazards: Inhalation of fine silica gel dust can cause respiratory irritation and may increase risk of silicosis on prolonged exposure
Health Hazards: Skin contact may cause dryness or mild irritation. Eye contact can produce irritation and discomfort
Environmental Hazards: Not known to pose significant environmental risks in standard laboratory quantities
Signal Word: None assigned
Hazard Statements: May cause mechanical irritation
Precautionary Statements: Avoid generating and inhaling dust, use protective gear, wash hands after use
Chemical Name: Silicon Dioxide
CAS Number: 7631-86-9
Concentration: 95-98% Silica Gel
Support Material: Glass, aluminum, or plastic (varies with manufacturer)
Binders: Calcium sulfate or organic binders (2-5%)
Additives: Fluorescent indicators (e.g., Zinc Sulfide at <1%) for UV detection
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, seek medical attention if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water, seek medical advice if irritation occurs
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, obtain medical attention for persistent discomfort
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, seek medical assistance if feeling unwell
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, or foam
Specific Hazards Arising from Product: Non-flammable solid, plates themselves do not burn though backing material may combust
Protective Equipment and Precautions: Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus if plates are subject to high heat producing decomposition products from adhesives or fluorescent indicators
Hazardous Combustion Products: Potentially toxic fumes from backing or adhesives may evolve
Personal Precautions: Avoid dust formation, ventilate area, use recommended protective equipment
Environmental Precautions: Prevent coarse material from entering drains or waterways
Methods for Clean-up: Sweep or vacuum up broken plates and powder, use a vacuum equipped with HEPA filter if available, place in tightly sealed container for waste disposal
Reference to Other Sections: Consult sections on handling, storage, and disposal for additional guidance
Safe Handling: Employ procedures to minimize dust generation, provide adequate ventilation, wear protective gloves and safety eyewear during manipulation
Storage Conditions: Store in dry, well-ventilated area at room temperature, protect from moisture, avoid stacking heavy objects on top of plates
Incompatibilities: Avoid storage with hydrofluoric acid, strong alkalis
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke in laboratory
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for amorphous silica (total dust) is 20 mppcf; ACGIH TLV for respirable particles is 3 mg/m³
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or fume hoods to control airborne dust
Personal Protection: Wear safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, and laboratory coat; employ respiratory protection if dust exceeds allowable limits
Environmental Exposure Controls: Prevent dust emissions during disposal and cleanup, avoid prolonged release to the environment
Appearance: White, odorless fine powder coated on rigid or flexible backing
Odor: Odorless
pH: 6 to 7 in aqueous suspension
Melting Point: >1600°C (silica gel component)
Solubility: Insoluble in water and most organic solvents
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not flammable
Density: Approximately 2.2 g/cm³ (silica gel)
Partition Coefficient: Not applicable
Other Properties: Stable under normal laboratory conditions, brittle backing may break under stress
Chemical Stability: Stable at recommended storage and handling conditions
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: None expected under standard conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to strong acids or bases, mechanical shock, high humidity
Incompatible Materials: Hydrofluoric acid, strong alkalis degrade silica gel and release hazardous gases
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal decomposition of organic binders or fluorescent indicators may yield toxic fumes
Acute Toxicity: Not acutely toxic in solid chromatographic plate form, inhaling dust can irritate respiratory system
Chronic Effects: Repeated inhalation of amorphous silica dust can contribute to chronic lung conditions; crystalline silica (rarely present) is a known carcinogen
Skin Irritation: Prolonged or repeated contact may lead to dryness
Eye Irritation: May cause discomfort, redness, transient mechanical irritation
Sensitization: No evidence for skin or respiratory sensitization has been established for standard plate compositions
Mutagenicity, Reproductive Toxicity, Carcinogenicity: No significant risks documented in typical laboratory exposure scenarios for amorphous silica
Ecotoxicity: Silica gel in the quantities used does not represent significant risk to aquatic or terrestrial organisms
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic material, not prone to biological degradation
Bioaccumulative Potential: No potential for bioaccumulation observed
Mobility in Soil: Insoluble particles remain near release site, minimal mobility
Other Adverse Effects: Consider effects of backing materials or proprietary binders in specific environments
Waste Treatment Methods: Sweep or vacuum up waste, avoid creating dust, transfer to sealed containers
Disposal of Product: Dispose of in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations; products not contaminated with hazardous chemicals can be disposed with non-hazardous laboratory waste
Disposal of Packaging: Empty containers or packaging can be disposed as ordinary waste unless contaminated
Precautions for Disposal: Do not discharge to sewers or water bodies, ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols for chemical waste
UN Number: Not classified
UN Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated
Transport Hazard Class: Not applicable
Packing Group: Not applicable
Environmental Hazards: None for standard laboratory packaging
Transport Precautions: Prevent breakage of plates during transit, secure packaging to limit dust or particle release
OSHA Hazard Communication: This material does not contain hazardous components above applicable regulatory thresholds
TSCA Status: Components listed in TSCA inventory
EU Regulation: Not classified as dangerous under EC Regulation 1272/2008
SARA Title III: Not subject to reporting requirements
Canadian WHMIS Classification: Not classified as hazardous
Other Local or International Regulatory Listings: Compliant with most international chemical safety standards for research laboratory use
