Product Name: Sodium Hexametaphosphate
Chemical Formula: (NaPO3)6
CAS Number: 10124-56-8
Synonyms: Calgon, Graham’s salt, Glassy sodium phosphate
Recommended Uses: Water treatment, food additive, sequestrant, detergents, dispersing agent
Supplier: Contact information for manufacturer or distributor
Emergency Contact: National Poison Control Center or local emergency number
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous according to GHS; slight eye and skin irritation possible
Signal Word: None
Potential Health Effects: Dust can cause respiratory tract irritation, contact may provoke slight eye and skin irritation, ingestion of large quantities can result in gastrointestinal distress
Environment: Overuse in waterways can cause nutrient imbalance in aquatic life due to high phosphate content
Pictograms: No pictogram required under GHS; precautionary attention to dust
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands after handling, prevent environmental release of large amounts
Chemical Name: Sodium Hexametaphosphate
CAS Number: 10124-56-8
Content: Typically 98% and above
Impurities: Trace amounts of sodium orthophosphate, moisture less than 1.5%
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, help person get comfortable and monitor breathing, seek medical help if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Rinse area with mild soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, use moisturizing creams if irritation occurs
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with plenty of water for several minutes—remove contact lenses if present—seek medical attention for persistent irritation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, avoid inducing vomiting, offer water to drink if conscious, seek medical care for discomfort or large ingestion
Note for Physicians: No specific antidote, treat symptomatically
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: None known
Specific Hazards: The substance itself does not burn; decomposes at high temperatures producing irritating phosphorous oxides
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing due to smoke and toxic gas potential
Special Procedures: Prevent runoff from entering drains and watercourses
Personal Precautions: Wear protective gloves, goggles, and avoid breathing dust
Environmental Precautions: Stop product from reaching drains, surface or groundwater
Methods for Cleaning Up: Sweep or vacuum up spillage using methods to minimize dust generation, transfer to a labeled container for proper disposal, ventilate area if indoors, wash spill site after removal
Handling: Use personal protective equipment as required, prevent dust formation, wash hands before meals and after use, avoid eating or drinking in work area
Storage Conditions: Store in a tightly sealed container, keep in a dry, cool, well-ventilated location out of direct sunlight, avoid proximity to strong acids and moisture, keep away from incompatible substances like reducing agents
Incompatible Products: Acids, reducing agents, strong oxidizing agents
Packaging Materials: Store in bags or drums made from materials compatible with alkaline products
Occupational Exposure Limits: None established by OSHA, ACGIH, or NIOSH for sodium hexametaphosphate; use good industrial hygiene practices
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, enclosed processing, and dust collection to keep airborne dust below recommended levels
Personal Protective Equipment:
Hand Protection: Nitrile or PVC gloves
Eye Protection: Safety goggles or face shield
Respiratory Protection: Dust mask or particulate respirator if airborne dust exceeds controls
Protective Clothing: Lab coat or coveralls
General Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, no food or drink in work area
Appearance: White, odorless, granular or glassy powder
Odor: None
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH (1% solution): 6.0 - 8.0
Melting Point: Approximately 616°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Flash Point: Not flammable
Flammability: Will not burn
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Solubility: Easily soluble in water
Molecular Weight: Approximately 611.77 g/mol
Density: 2.484 g/cm3
Decomposition Temperature: Over 616°C to form phosphorous oxides
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Reacts with strong acids to produce toxic phosphoric acid vapor
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Phosphorous oxides may form at elevated temperatures
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, reducing agents, strong oxidizers
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, excessive heat, exposure to incompatible substances
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity, oral LD50 (rat): > 7,000 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: May cause mild irritation
Eye Damage/Irritation: Dust or solution can cause mild irritation
Sensitization: Not known to cause skin sensitization
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure to dust may aggravate respiratory conditions
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, or OSHA as a carcinogen
Reproductive Toxicity: No evidence to suggest reproductive effects
Target Organ Effects: High-dose exposure may affect kidneys if ingested in significant quantities
Eco-toxicity: Non-hazardous to most aquatic organisms in typical use concentrations, but large discharges or spills may contribute to eutrophication in surface water
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic substance, does not degrade by biological processes, phosphate may remain in environment and promote algae growth
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low potential for bioaccumulation
Mobility in Soil: High solubility increases movement in soil and water
Other Adverse Effects: Can contribute to phosphate loading in water bodies; may disturb aquatic ecosystems
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of contents and containers in accordance with local, regional, national, and international regulations for chemical waste
Unused Product: Consider reuse or recycling where possible; otherwise, send to approved landfill or incineration facility
Contaminated Packaging: Clean and recycle or dispose of according to regulations
Do Not: Release large quantities into drains, surface water, or groundwater
UN Number: Not regulated for transport as a hazardous substance
Proper Shipping Name: Sodium Hexametaphosphate
Transport Hazard Class: Not applicable
Packing Group: Not applicable
Environmental Hazards: Not considered hazardous to the environment in packaged form
Special Precautions: Avoid dust release during transport, keep packaging sealed and dry
Labeling Requirements: No specific hazard labels required for shipping
TSCA: Listed on the US Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
DSL/NDSL: Listed on Canadian Domestic Substances List
REACH: Registered under European REACH Regulation
OSHA: Not classified as hazardous by OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
SARA Title III: Not subject to reporting under SARA Sections 302, 304, 313
California Prop 65: Not listed
Other Regulations: Comply with all relevant national and local regulations regarding chemical substances
