Chemical Name: Calcium Chloride Hexahydrate
Chemical Formula: CaCl2·6H2O
Common Use: Deicing, dust control, laboratory applications, moisture absorption
Appearance: Transparent, crystalline solid, often resembling crushed ice
Odor: Typical, faintly salty, not overpowering
Molecular Weight: 219.08 g/mol
Main Hazards: Causes skin and eye irritation, potentially harmful if swallowed, may trigger respiratory irritation in dusty conditions
Label Elements: Pictograms signaling irritation (exclamation mark), warnings for contact hazards
Acute Effects: Immediate stinging on skin or eyes, throat discomfort after inhalation, stomach cramps if ingested
Chronic Impacts: Prolonged exposure dries and cracks skin, repeated contact may heighten sensitivity
Personal Note: Handling this salt without gloves quickly results in noticeable dryness and itching, especially under fingernails
Main Component: Calcium Chloride Hexahydrate, over 97% by weight
Other Ingredients: Trace amounts of magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, negligible impurities
Purity Concerns: Lab-grade samples keep contamination low; industrial types occasionally contain small amounts of heavy metals—testing remains essential in sensitive applications
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, deep breaths clear mild irritant dust from lungs
Skin Contact: Flush with copious water, wash thoroughly with soap, dryness eases after lotion
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes for several minutes, lift eyelids, remove contacts if present, seek medical support for persistent irritation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water to dilute, avoid inducing vomiting, medical attention required for large amounts
Personal Note: Quick rinsing under cool water works best, waiting burns more; always scrub beneath jewelry
Flammability: Non-flammable, does not feed a blaze
Toxic Combustion Byproducts: Releases irritating hydrogen chloride gas if overheated in fire
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Standard water spray, foam, dry chemical, or CO2 extinguishers
Protective Gear: Firefighters wear self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid inhaling acidic vapors
Additional Facts: Storage near strong acids in fire conditions increases risk of toxic gas formation—segregation strongly advised
Personal Protection: Gloves and goggles stop direct contact, N95 mask limits dust inhalation
Cleanup Procedure: Sweep up spillage, place in sealed containers for recycling or proper disposal
Environmental Precautions: Prevent from washing into surface water, as toxic to aquatic life in large concentrations
Personal Note: Spilled crystals dissolve quickly in humidity, floor can get slick—best to sweep while dry
Handling Tips: Avoid contact with skin and eyes, minimize creating dust
Storage Practices: Keep tightly sealed in moisture-resistant containers, store in cool, dry space away from incompatible chemicals such as strong acids or bases
Personal Experience: Double bagging granules extends shelf life, careless handling shortens glove lifespan
Engineering Controls: Work in well-ventilated area, use local exhaust if working with powders
Personal Protection Equipment: Safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, dust mask when handling larger quantities
Eye Wash: Eyewash stations nearby reduce risk for laboratory spills
Clothing: Lab coat or apron to protect clothing and skin
Personal Note: Allergy-prone workers experience fewer problems with nitrile gloves versus latex in repeated exposure
Appearance: White crystalline solid, wet to the touch
Solubility: Highly soluble in water, produces heat as it dissolves
Melting Point: Around 29.9 °C for the hexahydrate
Boiling Point: Water of hydration evaporates first, then decomposes
Odor: Faint, not usually noticed during normal handling
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
pH: About 8 to 10 in concentrated solution
Density: 1.71 g/cm3
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions, but deliquescent; absorbs water from air readily
Incompatible With: Strong acids, sulfuric acid, aluminum, strong oxidizers
Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride gas, calcium oxide at high temperatures
Hazardous Reactions: Exothermic with water, can corrode certain metals
Personal Note: Long-term storage in humid atmospheres leads to sticky clumps, regular inspection avoids mess
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Short-Term Effects: Itching, stinging, mild coughing, digestive upset if swallowed
Long-Term Effects: Prolonged skin exposure worsens dermatitis; ingestion of significant quantities can disrupt electrolyte balance
LD50 (Oral, rat): About 1000 mg/kg reported
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen based on available data
Personal Note: Discomfort fades after proper decontamination, but vigilance protects the careless
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic in high concentrations; runoff can alter salinity in freshwater streams
Persistence: Calcium chloride dissolves, dissociates, and disperses; does not bioaccumulate significantly
Mobility: Moves readily with surface and groundwater
Biodegradability: Not relevant; inorganic salt
Environmental Impact: Heavy application for deicing creates downstream salt pollution, affecting sensitive aquatic species and roadside vegetation
Waste Treatment: Small quantities often washed down drain with water, observing local restrictions
Disposal of Large Quantities: Delivered to licensed waste management or hazardous waste facility
Regulatory Compliance: Follow regional and local guidelines to avoid salinizing soils and waterways
Personal Note: Surplus from old lab stocks best returned to supplier or hazardous waste programs, never landfill
Transport Category: Not regulated as dangerous good for road, rail, sea, or air in most countries
Precautions: Use sealed, sturdy packaging, mark with substance name
Spill Response: Immediate containment prevents floor slip risk
Personal Note: Leaky packaging boils down to sticky puddles after a few hours of transit, causing cleanup headaches—double-check seals
Global Regulation: Listed on chemical inventories in North America, Europe, Asia
Safety Standards: Subject to workplace exposure and labeling standards; risk phrases target hazards to skin, eyes, and water bodies
Environmental Controls: Management of large-scale releases emphasized in many regions after documented salinity problems
Worker Rights: Access to safety training, washing facilities, and appropriate PPE remains standard practice in reputable organizations