Calcium chloride

Synonyms

Calcium chloride anhydrous; Calcium dichloride; Calcosan; Calplus; Caltac; Dowflake; Liquidow; Peladow; Snomelt; Superflake anhydrous; Uramine MC; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Metals, Inorganic Compounds

Description

Very hygroscopic solid; Soluble in water (evolves heat); [Merck Index] Colorless odorless solid; [HSDB] White hygroscopic solid; Soluble in water; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used as a pavement deicer, a drying and dehydrating agent for organic liquids and gases; a drainage aid in pulp and paper processing, a sizing and finishing agent for cotton fabrics, a desiccant in hydrocarbon processing, a coal thawing agent, a component of oil well drilling muds, a set accelerator in concrete, a tire ballast; a firming agent for fruits, a fire retardant, an additive to control scaffolding in blast furnaces, a humectant in adhesives, an additive in herbicides, an additive in plastics to control particle size, a component of blood and electrolyte replacements, and other medical and veterinary uses; [HSDB]

Comments

A skin and respiratory tract irritant; May cause ulcerations to nasal mucous membranes; May cause dry skin and redness; [ICSC] A skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritant; May cause lacrimation; [HSDB] May cause serious damage to eyes; [CHEMINFO] A severe irritant that may cause burns; [MSDSonline] See "Calcium."

Biomedical References

Yes

Skin burns

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Cement Producing
• Farming (Pesticides)
• Petroleum Production and Refining
• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Working with Glues and Adhesives