Agent Name
Magnesium trisilicate
Major Category
Mineral Dusts
Synonyms
Magnesium trisilicate anhydrous; Silicic acid, magnesium salt (1:2); Dicarbocalm; Magnesium mesotrisilicate; Magnesium silicate (Mg2Si3O8); Magnesium trisilicate USP; Magnosil; Meerschaum; Parasepiolite; Petimin; Sepiolite; Silicic acid (H4Si3O8) , magnesium salt (1:2); Trisilicalm; Dimagnesium trisilicon octaoxide; Magnesium silicon oxide (Mg2Si3O8); [ChemIDplus]
Category
Other Mineral Dusts
Description
Odorless slightly hygroscopic solid; [Merck Index] White odorless powder; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Occurs as the minerals meerschaum, parasepiolite, and sepiolite; Used as an antacid; [Merck Index] Used as an odor absorbent, decolorizing agent, and antioxidant; [Hawley] Attapulgite and sepiolite are used in absorption granules, pet litter, paint thickeners, and drilling muds; [Harber, p. 338-9]
Comments
An irritant; Chronic inhalation may be harmful; [MSDSonline] Sepiolite workers in Spain had measurable decrements in lung function and small opacities on chest x-rays. A study of meerschaum workers in Turkey was inconclusive because of contamination by tremolite asbestos and zeolite. [Harber, p. 339] See "Fuller's earth."
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: