Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – Calcium Chloride

Identification

Product Name: Calcium Chloride
Chemical Formula: CaCl₂
CAS Number: 10043-52-4
Use: Ice melting, dust control, concrete setting accelerator, dehumidifier, food additive
Supplier/Manufacturer: Contact details on container or shipping documents
Emergency Contact: Refer to local emergency services or company safety officer

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Irritant
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation, may cause skin irritation, harmful if swallowed
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing; wash thoroughly after handling; wear personal protective equipment; do not eat, drink or smoke while using
GHS Label Elements: Exclamation mark symbol
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, eyes
Acute Effects: Throat and mouth burning, stomach upset, eye redness
Chronic Effects: Repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Component: Calcium Chloride
Chemical Name: Calcium Chloride (Dihydrate or Anhydrous, depending on product)
Concentration: 90%-100% depending on grade and formulation
Impurities: Typically contains traces of magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, water

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air, seek medical attention if breathing becomes difficult
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with water and soap for at least 15 minutes, seek medical attention for persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing, get medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, give water to dilute, seek medical help

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use media appropriate for the surrounding fire
Non-flammable: Does not burn or support combustion
Specific Hazards: Product may release hydrogen chloride gas if heated to decomposition
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear standard protective clothing; use a self-contained breathing apparatus if fumes are generated
Thermal Decomposition: Chlorine, calcium oxide

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Avoid dust generation, ventilate area, avoid contact with skin and eyes, wear protective equipment
Environmental Precautions: Prevent large spills from reaching drains or surface waters, sweep up solid and reuse or put in containers for disposal
Cleaning Methods: For small spills, sweep or vacuum and place in a suitable container; for large spills, contain and collect, avoid acid contact which could generate hazardous gases

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use in well-ventilated areas, handle with care to avoid spills and dust generation, wash hands after use, avoid direct contact with skin and eyes
Storage: Store in original, tightly closed containers, keep in dry, cool, well-ventilated place, avoid moisture contact to prevent product degradation or lumping, separate from acids and oxidizers

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust monitoring for dust at point sources, provide eye-wash and safety shower stations
Personal Protection: Wear chemical splash goggles, impervious gloves (such as neoprene or nitrile), long-sleeved clothing
Respiratory Protection: Use a NIOSH-approved respirator for nuisance dusts if airborne concentrations exceed recommended limits
Hygiene Measures: Wash contaminated clothing before reuse, keep food and beverages away from use area

Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State: Solid (flakes, pellets, granules, powder)
Color: White
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: 772°C (1,422°F) for anhydrous
Solubility: Easily soluble in water, exothermic reaction on dissolution
Density: 2.15 to 2.5 g/cm³
pH: Typically 8-10 (10% solution)
Boiling Point: Decomposes above 1,600°C

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures
Reactivity: Absorbs moisture and becomes liquid (deliquescent)
Incompatible Materials: Acids (may generate hydrogen chloride), zinc, bromine trifluoride
Decomposition Products: Calcium oxide, chlorine, hydrogen chloride at high temperatures
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 1,000-4,000 mg/kg
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact
Symptoms: Eye redness, skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset if swallowed, coughing or sneezing if inhaled
Chronic Effects: May cause dermatitis after repeated skin exposure; no evidence of carcinogenicity
Sensitization: No known sensitization potential
Mutagenicity/Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life in excessive concentrations; increases water hardness and can affect plant growth
Persistence and Degradability: Dissolves and dissociates in water; non-biodegradable
Bioaccumulation: Not expected due to highly water soluble nature
Other Adverse Effects: Large releases can raise soil and water salinity levels, affecting vegetation and aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Material moves readily through soil with water

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations for chemical waste; excess product can often be diluted with water and flushed to a wastewater treatment system capable of handling high saline loads
Container Disposal: Containers should be rinsed thoroughly and recycled or disposed as per approved waste disposal guidelines
Precautions: Never mix with acids during disposal as hazardous gases may be released

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated by major transport regulations for road, air, or sea
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as dangerous goods per TDG, IATA, IMDG regulations
Packing Group: Not assigned
Shipping Name: Calcium Chloride
Special Precautions: Protect from moisture during transit, ensure containers are intact and labeled correctly

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Hazardous under Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA: Listed in the Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
SARA Title III: Not subject to section 313 reporting, no extremely hazardous substance components
WHMIS: Classified as D2B (toxic material causing other toxic effects) in Canada
Other Regulations: EU (REACH) registered, not subject to significant restrictions; always check local requirements
Labeling Requirements: Comply with GHS and local standards for workplace hazardous labeling