Material Safety Data Sheet for Calcium Hypochlorite

Identification

Chemical Name: Calcium Hypochlorite
Common Names: Bleaching Powder, Chlorinated Lime
CAS Number: 7778-54-3
Recommended Use: Water disinfection, sanitizer for swimming pools, bleaching agent
Supplier Info: Check product label for manufacturer and distributor contact details
Emergency Contact: Refer to local Poison Control Hotline or safety office number from label

Hazard Identification

Classification: Oxidizer, Corrosive, Acute Toxicity (oral, inhalation)
Label Elements: Signal Word: Danger, Pictograms: Flame over circle, corrosion, exclamation mark
Hazard Statements: Risk of fire or explosion, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, harmful if swallowed or inhaled
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames, wear protective gloves and eye protection, wash hands after handling, avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray, store locked up

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Calcium Hypochlorite: 65–70% by weight
Calcium Chlorate: Trace
Calcium Chloride: Balance
Other Ingredients: Moisture content less than 10%, inert ingredients
Impurities: Sometimes contains minor quantities of sodium compounds or other stabilizers depending on producer

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately, keep comfortable for breathing, seek medical attention if symptoms develop
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, flush skin with water, wash gently with soap, get medical treatment if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for 15-20 minutes, remove contact lenses, keep eyelids apart, consult an eye specialist quickly
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, drink small amounts of water if conscious, get urgent medical help
General: Always wash hands after handling, get medical advice for any exposure beyond mild irritation, show medical staff the product label or MSDS if possible

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, flooding quantities of water; avoid dry chemical or foam
Unsuitable Media: Never use dry chemical, carbon dioxide or halogenated extinguishers; contact can create hazardous gases
Fire Hazards: Strong oxidizing agent, may cause fire or increase intensity, releases chlorine and toxic gases under heat
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Instructions: Cool containers with water spray, evacuate area, avoid inhalation of gases, use water only, contain run-off to prevent environmental contamination

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear full protective body covering, gloves, goggles; avoid dust formation and inhalation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent run-off into drains, waterways or soil
Containment: Avoid contact with combustible material, isolate spill area
Clean-up Methods: Scoop up and place in appropriate chemical waste container, flush area with copious water, ventilate enclosed areas
Emergency Procedures: Notify safety personnel, provide adequate ventilation, remove all sources of ignition or heat, keep unauthorized personnel away

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use only with adequate ventilation, avoid direct physical contact, never mix with acids, organics or combustibles, wash thoroughly after use
Storage: Keep container tightly closed in dry, cool, well-ventilated spot, separate from incompatible substances (acids, ammonia, reducing agents, flammable materials), use corrosion-resistant containers, avoid humidity and contamination
Transfer Instructions: Use non-sparking tools, grounded equipment; keep product away from heat and direct sunlight
Storage Conditions: Maintain original container, mark with hazard labeling, lock storage area, restrict access

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Permissible Exposure Limits (OSHA PEL): Not established specifically for calcium hypochlorite; ACGIH TLV for chlorine: 0.5 ppm (TWA), 1 ppm (STEL)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust or general dilution ventilation, process enclosures where possible
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof goggles, face shield, long sleeves, impervious boots, NIOSH-approved respirator if dust or chlorine gas forms
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face before breaks, launder contaminated clothing before reuse, avoid eating/smoking near product

Physical and Chemical Properties

Form: Granular or powder
Color: White to grayish-white
Odor: Pungent chlorine smell
Odor Threshold: Detectable at very low concentrations
Solubility: Soluble in water, liberates heat
pH: 10–11 (1% solution)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Melting Point: Decomposes at around 100°C
Density: About 2.35 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Not volatile
Flash Point: Not flammable; oxidizer
Other: Reacts with acids to release chlorine gas

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage conditions, decomposes in presence of moisture, light, heat
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to moisture, high temperatures, contamination with organics or acids
Incompatible Materials: Acids, ammonia, reducing agents, organic materials, oils
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Chlorine gas, oxygen, calcium chloride, calcium chlorate
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Contact with acids releases toxic chlorine, reaction with organics may cause fire

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat) 850 mg/kg
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Health Effects: Eye and skin burns, upper respiratory tract irritation, possible mouth, throat and stomach damage if swallowed
Symptoms of Overexposure: Burning eyes, coughing, headache, stomach pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing
Chronic Exposure: Lung damage, chronic bronchitis, hypersensitivity reactions
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a human carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Other: May cause sensitization in predisposed individuals

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life, toxic to fish and invertebrates
Persistence and Degradability: Breaks down to calcium salts and chloride; free chlorine decays rapidly in environment
Bioaccumulation: Not likely to bioaccumulate
Mobility in Soil: Highly mobile, moves with water
Other Effects: Alters pH, can cause severe damage to aquatic and soil organisms through release of chlorinated compounds

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Handle as hazardous waste according to local, regional, national regulations; do not dispose in sewers or natural waters
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers retain hazardous residue; triple rinse and dispose through authorized waste handler
Precautions: Avoid mixing with other chemicals, neutralize small spills with sodium sulfite under supervision

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 1748 (Calcium Hypochlorite, Dry)
Proper Shipping Name: Calcium Hypochlorite, Dry; for hydrated or mixtures, see supplier SDS
Transport Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizing substances)
Packing Group: II
Labels: Oxidizer, Corrosive (depending on composition)
Transport Precautions: Keep packages secure, dry, upright, segregate from combustibles, acids, food, or feed
Special Notes: Maritime transport: IMDG regulated; Air transport: IATA restricted, see carrier requirements

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Covered by Hazard Communication Standard; listed as hazardous chemical
EPA: Listed on TSCA Inventory; subject to FIFRA regulations as pesticide ingredient, not for personal disinfection
SARA Title III: Listed as hazardous, reporting required for releases above reportable quantities
California Proposition 65: Not listed as a carcinogen or reproductive toxin
WHMIS (Canada): Classified as Class C oxidizer, D2B irritant, E corrosive material
Other Global Registries: Reach compliant in Europe, registered in most countries with relevant chemical control agencies
Label Requirements: Clear hazard symbols, proper risk and safety phrases, emergency contact details, chemical name