Synonyms
UN1401 (Dangerous when wet)
Category
Elements, Metallic
Description
Soft metal that is grayish-white when exposed to air; Pyrophoric when finely divided; [CAMEO]
Sources/Uses
"Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes." [ChemIDplus] Used in metallurgy; [CAMEO]
Comments
Elemental calcium causes burns on contact with skin; [CAMEO] A single ingestion of calcium salts is not known to cause hypercalcemia or other systemic poisoning; Gastrointestinal hemorrhage after ingestion of calcium chloride has been reported; Hypercalcemia and renal failure have been reported after chronic ingestion of calcium carbonate. Rapid injection of calcium salts can cause cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest; [HSDB]
Explanatory Notes
mp = 1562.0 deg F; [CAMEO]
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.