Product Name: Silicon Dioxide
Synonyms: Silica, Quartz, Crystalline Silica
CAS Number: 7631-86-9
Recommended Uses: Filler in paints and plastics, glass manufacture, polish, coatings, construction material
Manufacturer Contact: Include supplier name, full address, phone number, and emergency contact
Emergency Overview: Fine, white, odorless powder; not combustible, little immediate hazard unless airborne as dust
Classification: Respirable crystalline dust can cause lung disease (silicosis), classified as hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Health Hazards: Chronic inhalation may lead to silicosis; long-term exposure increases risk for lung cancer
Physical Hazards: Not flammable, not explosive, not corrosive
Label Elements: Signal word: Warning; Hazard pictogram for health hazard
Hazard Statements: May cause cancer (inhalation), causes damage to organs (lungs) through prolonged or repeated exposure
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area, wear respiratory protection
Chemical Name: Silicon Dioxide
Concentration: Typically > 99%
Impurities: Trace amounts of metal oxides, possible crystalline quartz content varies with product source
Other Ingredients: No significant additional substances likely to affect hazard classification
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, monitor for cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lift eyelids to remove particles, seek medical attention if redness or irritation continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, get medical advice if discomfort develops
Symptoms: Dust may cause coughing, eye irritation, and shortness of breath if inhaled
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, carbon dioxide, foam, or dry powder for nearby fires; silicon dioxide does not burn
Specific Hazards: No hazardous combustion products formed, product itself will not support combustion
Protective Equipment: Standard firefighting gear, avoid inhalation of dust, wear self-contained breathing apparatus if excessive dust or fumes encountered
Special Procedures: Keep dust away from ignition sources of other combustibles, control water run-off to prevent environmental spread
Personal Precautions: Avoid generating and breathing dust, wear dust mask or respirator, safety goggles, gloves
Environmental Precautions: Prevent dust from entering drains or water courses, contain spill with barriers if possible
Cleanup Methods: Vacuum up material with HEPA filter vacuum, or dampen to minimize dust, transfer to closed containers for disposal
Decontamination: Wash area with water after cleanup, ventilate closed spaces
Handling: Minimize dust creation, use local exhaust ventilation, avoid contact with eyes and skin, don protective equipment
Precautions: Use dust-resistant containers, avoid eating or drinking in work area, keep containers closed when not in use
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from strong acids and hydrofluoric acid, store away from food/feedstuffs
Incompatibilities: Store separately from substances such as hydrogen fluoride which reacts with silicon dioxide
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 10 mg/m3 (total dust); ACGIH TLV: 0.025 mg/m3 (respirable crystalline silica); NIOSH REL: 0.05 mg/m3 (respirable dust)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, enclosure of dusty operations, general room ventilation
Personal Protective Equipment: Approved respirators for dust (N95 or higher), safety goggles to protect eyes, gloves to reduce skin contact, protective clothing if dust accumulates
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly, do not use compressed air to clean
Monitoring: Regular air monitoring for respirable crystalline silica, health surveillance for workers exposed to dust
Appearance: Fine, white powder or colorless crystals
Odor: Odorless
Molecular Formula: SiO2
Molecular Weight: 60.08 g/mol
Melting Point: 1,713°C
Boiling Point: Between 2230°C and 2500°C
Solubility: Insoluble in water and organic solvents
Density: 2.2 – 2.7 g/cm³
pH: Not applicable
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Flash Point, Flammability: Not flammable
Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures
Conditions to Avoid: Contact with hydrofluoric acid, generation of dust
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids (especially hydrofluoric acid), strong bases, powerful oxidizing agents
Hazardous Decomposition: No decomposition at proper use; with strong acids, can form toxic gases
Polymerization: Will not occur
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity for acute exposures; high levels of dust may cause respiratory irritation
Chronic Effects: Long-term or repeated inhalation of respirable crystals can cause silicosis, a progressive and sometimes fatal lung disease
Carcinogenicity: IARC Group 1: Carcinogenic to humans (inhalation of crystalline silica dust)
Other Effects: Possible increased risk of tuberculosis and autoimmune disorders following chronic exposure
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation is primary, less frequently skin and eye
Symptoms: Cough, shortness of breath, lung impairment with chronic exposure
Environmental Fate: Naturally occurring in soils and sediments; virtually insoluble and non-reactive in groundwater
Persistence: Not biodegradable; remains in environment as inert material
Bioaccumulation: Does not accumulate in living organisms
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: No known toxicity; very low hazard to aquatic and terrestrial organisms
Mobility: Low, settles in sediments
Disposal Methods: Dispose of material in accordance with local/regional/national regulations; not considered hazardous waste if uncontaminated
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly before recycling or disposal; follow local policies
Precautions: Avoid releasing dust into air during disposal, use sealed containers
UN Number: Not regulated
UN Proper Shipping Name: Not classified as dangerous or hazardous goods
Transport Hazard Classes: None assigned
Packing Group: Not applicable
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant
Special Precautions for Transport: Avoid packaging that generates or leaks dust, use sealed bags or drums
Workplace Regulations: Subject to OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH standards on airborne dust and crystalline silica
Environmental Regulations: Covered by EPA regulations; no specific waterway or land restrictions except for dust control
Inventory Listings: Listed in TSCA, EINECS, and other national chemical inventories
Labeling Requirements: GHS health hazard pictogram, hazard and precautionary statements
Other Standards: Referenced in local worker protection standards and community right-to-know regulations