Synonyms
Natural calcium carbonate; Calcium salt of carbonic acid; Vaterite; [NIOSH] Agricultural limestone; Aragonite; Atomite; Calcite; Carbonic acid, calcium salt; Chalk; Dolomite; Limestone; Marble; Whiting; [CHEMINFO]
Sources/Uses
Calcium carbonate occurs in nature as limestone, chalk, marble, dolomite, aragonite, calcite and oyster shells. [NIOSH] Natural calcium carbonate can be found in the minerals calcite and aragonite (limestone, chalk, and marble). [Harber, p. 354] Calcium carbonate is used in the manufacture of quicklime, Portland cement, and paints. Pharmaceutical grades are used in cosmetics, foods, and drugs. [ACGIH] Used in paints, rubber, plastics, ceramics, polishes, inks, pharmaceuticals, adhesives, etc. [CHEMINFO] Used for "whiting" in glassblowing; [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html]
Comments
No adverse effects associated with exposure to calcium carbonate have been identified. [Harber, p. 354] Important natural forms are calcite and aragonite, which may be contaminated with magnesium, iron, chromium, manganese, sulfur, zinc, lead, and sometimes crystalline silica. Chemically produced calcium carbonate is 98-99% pure. [CHEMINFO]