Material Safety Data Sheet for Magnesium Chloride Flake

Identification

Product Name: Magnesium Chloride Flake
Chemical Formula: MgCl₂·6H₂O
Synonyms: Magnesium dichloride hexahydrate, Bischofite
CAS Number: 7791-18-6
Recommended Use: De-icer, dust control, industrial processing, agriculture
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Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS for use as intended
Main Health Hazards: May cause mild eye or skin irritation, especially on prolonged contact. Inhalation of dust may irritate respiratory tract. Ingestion of large amounts may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Environmental Hazards: Large spills can cause harm to aquatic life and may alter the chemistry of natural bodies of water.
Signal Word: None required
Pictograms: None required per GHS
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with eyes and skin. Avoid inhaling dust. Use appropriate personal protective equipment if high concentrations are present.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: Magnesium chloride hexahydrate
Proportion: ≥ 98% by weight
Impurities: Trace amounts of sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride
Molecular Weight: 203.3 g/mol
Other Ingredients: Water of crystallization (approx. 53% by weight)

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air. Get medical advice if symptoms persist.
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Seek medical attention for persistent irritation.
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with clean water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy. Seek medical attention if irritation develops.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Drink water to dilute. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel. Seek medical attention if unwell.
Note to Physician: Treat symptomatically.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Flash Point: Not flammable
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, or foam for surrounding fires. Magnesium chloride itself does not burn.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: None specifically for this material
Hazardous Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride gas may be released in a fire involving magnesium chloride.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing if combustion gases are present.
Fire and Explosion Hazards: Contact with metals at high temperatures may produce flammable hydrogen gas.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use dust mask, goggles, and gloves. Avoid inhaling dust and avoid skin or eye contact.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent run-off into drains, surface water, and ground water systems. Avoid large discharges to the environment due to potential effects on aquatic life.
Methods for Cleanup: Sweep up and collect for reuse or disposal. Moisten with water to minimize dust. Place in appropriate closed container.
Further Cleanup: Wash spill area with water after material removal, avoiding contamination of waterways.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Wear proper personal protective equipment. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Wash hands after use, especially before eating or drinking. Don’t eat, drink, or smoke while using.
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep containers tightly closed when not in use. Protect from moisture and humidity to prevent caking. Separate from incompatible materials such as strong acids.
Technical Measures: Use corrosion-resistant materials for storage due to moisture retention and salt formation characteristics.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: Not established for magnesium chloride. Nuisance dust: 10 mg/m³ TWA (total inhalable dust, OSHA/ACGIH)
Engineering Controls: Ensure adequate ventilation, especially in confined areas. Use local exhaust to minimize dust.
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles, dust mask (NIOSH N95), chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing to reduce skin contact.
Hygiene Measures: Launder contaminated clothing before reuse. Wash thoroughly after handling. Maintain good housekeeping practices in storage and work areas.
Environmental Controls: Minimize environmental discharge during use or cleaning.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to off-white flakes, deliquescent
Odor: Odorless
pH (10% aqueous): 8–9
Melting Point: ~115°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Solubility: Readily soluble in water
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Density: 1.569 g/cm³ (at 20°C)
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Other Properties: Hygroscopic, absorbs water easily from the air

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions. Absorbs moisture from air.
Reactivity: Reacts with strong acids to release hydrogen chloride gas.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to moisture, heat, and incompatible materials (acids and strong oxidizers).
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, reactive metals.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, magnesium oxide at high temperatures.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity by oral, dermal, and inhalation routes. LD₅₀ (oral, rat) > 2800 mg/kg. Exposure by ingestion can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting.
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Mild irritant in some individuals.
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Possible mild, reversible irritation.
Respiratory Sensitization: Dust may cause temporary irritation to the respiratory tract.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure may dry or irritate skin. No known carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive toxicity effects.
Other Information: No evidence of significant acute or chronic health effects with normal industrial use and recommended handling.

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: High concentrations may alter water chemistry and negatively impact aquatic organisms (e.g., fish and invertebrates) through salinization.
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic salt, dissociates in the presence of water.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Not expected to bioaccumulate.
Mobility in Soil: Moves easily with water, may enter soil and groundwater. Large releases increase soil salinity.
Other Adverse Effects: Run-off can raise chloride and magnesium levels in water bodies, impacting sensitive plants and animals.
Additional Information: Moderate toxicity to aquatic life in high concentrations.

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Dispose in accordance with local, regional, national, and international regulations. Consult with waste disposal authorities.
Waste Classification: Not classified as hazardous waste. May be disposed of as non-hazardous waste where permitted, provided it does not alter water or land chemistry.
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers should be thoroughly rinsed, recycled, or disposed of by approved waste handlers.
Discharge Restrictions: Avoid direct discharge into surface water or sewage systems.

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated for transport under ADR, IMDG, IATA
Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated, magnesium chloride
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous for transport
Packing Group: Not assigned
Marine Pollutant: No
Special Transport Precautions: Protect from moisture during transit. Secure cargo to prevent leaks or spills.

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Not classified as hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA Inventory: Listed
REACH Registration: Registered under European REACH regulation
SARA Title III: Not subject to SARA Section 302, 304, 313
WHMIS Classification (Canada): Not classified as dangerous according to WHMIS criteria
Other Regulations: Not listed as a dangerous good by major international transport regulations. Not subject to major national or international chemical restriction lists for standard uses.