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Name: Silica Gel 60
Chemical Nature: Amorphous silicon dioxide in bead or granular form
Appearance: White, odorless, slightly translucent beads or powder
Common Uses: Desiccant, chromatography, catalyst support, moisture absorber in packaging and labs
Synonyms: Silica, silicon dioxide gel, synthetic amorphous silica
Main Hazards: Not classified as hazardous under normal use, but dust particles can irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
Potential Risks: Prolonged inhalation may cause lung discomfort; direct skin contact could lead to dryness
Chronic Effects: Prolonged, excessive exposure to dust may lead to silicosis, though well-activated gels feature reduced crystalline silica content
Common Health Symptoms: Sneezing, nose irritation, dry skin, soreness in throat after dust exposure
Warning Labels: Avoid creating dust; not for ingestion or inhalation; use personal protection
Main Ingredient: Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) content typically above 95%
Minor Components: Trace amounts of metal oxides (such as Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃), all well below hazardous thresholds
Purity: High-purity, non-crystalline form; virtually no heavy metals or toxic substances present
Allergens: None known
Inhalation: Immediate step is to move affected person to fresh air; medical attention if discomfort persists
Skin Contact: Wash off using soap and water; skin lotion could help if dryness appears
Eye Contact: Promptly rinse eyes with lukewarm running water for several minutes
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water if feeling unwell, seek medical attention based on symptoms
Special Notes: Most reactions are mild and reversible; major medical emergencies are rare
Flammability: Non-flammable, will not act as a fire fuel
Combustion Products: Does not produce toxic gases when exposed to fire
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water, foam, dry chemical, or CO₂ as appropriate for surroundings
Firefighter Protection: Usual protective equipment for surrounding fire context suffices
Explosion Risks: No explosion hazards associated with product
Personal Precautions: Minimize dust generation, ventilate area
Protective Gear: Wear dust mask, gloves, safety glasses
Spill Cleanup: Sweep up granules or powder carefully to avoid dispersing dust; use vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter
Disposal: Place collected material in appropriate container for recovery or disposal
Environmental Considerations: Avoid washing large amounts down the drain; sweep spills from outdoor soil when practical
Safe Handling: Avoid breathing dust and prolonged skin contact; use appropriate tools and minimal force during transfer
Good Practices: Wash hands after handling; keep work area ventilated
Storage Conditions: Store in a dry, cool, ventilated space, tightly closed containers, away from moisture and strong acids
Shelf Life: Maintains quality for several years if kept airtight since silica gel rehydrates when exposed to air
Incompatibilities: Contact with hydrofluoric acid or strong alkalis should be avoided; moisture absorption reduces effectiveness
Permissible Exposure: OSHA and ACGIH set occupational exposure limits for amorphous silica dust
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust or general ventilation to reduce airborne particles
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety glasses or goggles, gloves, dust mask or respirator for prolonged handling
Workplace Hygiene: Regular cleaning with wet methods or HEPA vacuums recommended to control dust
Form: Granular or beaded solid
Color: White, sometimes slightly bluish
Odor: Odorless
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Melting Point: Above 1600°C
Solubility: Insoluble in water and most solvents
Bulk Density: Varies by manufacturer, typically 0.5 to 0.8 g/cm³
pH: Neutral to very slightly acidic in aqueous suspension
Chemical Stability: Remains highly stable in normal use conditions
Reactivity: Does not react with most substances; reacts with hydrofluoric acid to form toxic silicon tetrafluoride gas
Decomposition: Does not decompose under typical storage or temperature
Polymerization: Will not undergo hazardous polymerization
Acute Toxicity: Oral and dermal toxicity very low
Inhalation Risks: Dust can cause transient respiratory tract irritation in sensitive people
Skin Contact: Generally not a skin irritant unless skin is broken or very dry
Eye Contact: Dust may cause redness and discomfort
Long-Term Effects: No substantial evidence links pure amorphous silica with severe chronic toxicity, but continuous exposure to respirable crystalline silica fractions has been implicated in silicosis; Silica Gel 60 usually shows non-detectable crystalline content
Carcinogenicity: Amorphous types like Silica Gel 60 are not listed as carcinogenic by IARC; crystalline silica classification does not apply to this product
Environmental Fate: Inert material, does not bioaccumulate
Aquatic Toxicity: Not toxic to aquatic organisms; acts as an inert solid
Degradability: Persistent but non-reactive and non-hazardous to soil or water
Wildlife Impact: Physically harmless to plants and animals unless ingested in large quantities
Pollution Risks: No significant risks to ecosystems from typical usage or disposal
Best Practices: Dispose of as non-hazardous solid waste in accordance with local regulations
Reuse/Recycling: Spent silica gel can sometimes be regenerated by heating and reused as desiccant
Landfill Suitability: Safe for approved landfill sites
Incineration: Not recommended, as material does not burn and incineration is unnecessary
Hazard Class: Not classified as dangerous for transport
Packaging Recommendations: Use sealed containers or moisture-proof bags
Shipping Considerations: No special handling requirements for ground, air, or sea shipment
Labeling: Standard product and safety labeling required, without hazardous material indicators
Classifications: Meets most national and international criteria for non-hazardous materials;
Workplace Regulations: Exposure limits often posted by OSHA, ACGIH, EU authorities for amorphous silica dust
Label Requirements: Standard chemical labeling reflecting safe handling and first aid information is considered sufficient
REACH/TSCA: Silicon dioxide, including silica gel, appears on major regulatory chemical inventories
Environmental Laws: No reporting requirements for release; disposal guided by regional solid waste standards
