Material Safety Data Sheet: Calcium Ascorbate

Identification

Product Name: Calcium Ascorbate
Chemical Formula: C12H14CaO12
CAS Number: 5743-28-2
Other Identifiers: Ascorbic acid, calcium salt; Ester-C
Product Use: Nutritional supplement, food additive, antioxidant
Manufacturer Contact: Customer service number, emergency spill line, address of facility
Recommended Restrictions: Industrial use, food processing environments, laboratories

Hazard Identification

Classification: Not considered hazardous under GHS guidelines for standard use
Signal Word: None
Hazard Statements: May cause mild eye or skin irritation in sensitive individuals
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation of dust, use appropriate protection to prevent contact
Pictogram: No pictogram required
Other Hazards: Dust can cause nuisance in work areas if not adequately ventilated
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory tract with prolonged exposure

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Name: Calcium Ascorbate
Synonyms: Calcium Salt of Ascorbic Acid
Concentration: 98–100%
Impurities: Trace elements from raw materials, moisture less than 1%
Additives: No added preservatives or anti-caking agents listed in spec

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. Support breathing if symptoms develop, seek medical attention for persistent irritation.
Skin Contact: Wash with water and soap. Remove contaminated clothing, rinse thoroughly.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Hold eyelids open, seek medical help if discomfort persists.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water only if person is conscious. Medical attention advised if large quantities are swallowed or irritation occurs.
Symptoms: Possible mild irritation, dryness, redness at contact site.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: None particularly specified
Specific Hazards: Organic dust may form explosive mixtures with air in rare conditions
Special Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective clothing for high-heat fires
Firefighting Procedures: Isolate area, remove combustibles if safe, use water to cool containers
Combustion Products: Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and possibly oxides of calcium

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use dust mask, protective gloves, goggles. Avoid generating dust.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into water systems, sewers, drains if spilled
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up gently and place in appropriate labeled containers, wash spill site with water
Disposal: Follow waste disposal recommendations for cleanup materials
Reference to Other Sections: See section on handling, PPE, and disposal for more

Handling and Storage

Handling: Minimize dust formation during transfer, use local exhaust ventilation, keep container closed when not in use
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizing agents, acids
Other Precautions: Maintain hygiene, do not eat or drink in handling areas, label all containers clearly
Package Materials: Store in original packaging or compatible alternatives to prevent contamination or reaction

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No established limits for calcium ascorbate. Use general particulate limits (OSHA PEL/TLV for nuisance dust: 10 mg/m³ total, 3 mg/m³ respirable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust where dust is generated, maintain effective ventilation throughout handling areas
Eye Protection: Chemical safety goggles
Skin Protection: Gloves and protective clothing recommended in bulk handling
Respiratory Protection: Dust mask or particulate respirator during high-exposure activities
General Hygiene: Wash hands and face after handling, shower and change clothes after large-scale exposure

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to off-white crystalline or granular powder
Odor: Odorless or with slight characteristic smells
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH: 6.8–8.0 in aqueous solution
Melting Point: Decomposes above 200°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not available; product not easily flammable
Solubility: Soluble in water, insoluble in most organic solvents
Density: Approx. 1.8 g/cm³
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not determined
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not determined
Decomposition Temperature: Above 200°C

Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Stable under normal temperature, pressure, and handling conditions
Reactivity: Reacts with strong acids and oxidizers
Hazardous Reactions: None expected during normal use and storage
Hazardous Decomposition: May produce carbon oxides and calcium oxides on excessive heating
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, moisture, and incompatible materials
Polymerization: No hazardous polymerization anticipated

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Practically non-toxic by oral, dermal, or inhalation routes in animal studies
Chronic Toxicity: No evidence of cumulative toxicity under intended uses
Irritation: Dust can irritate eyes, skin, nose, throat in susceptible individuals
Sensitization: No indication of allergic skin reactions, though rare cases may occur
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA, or ACGIH
Mutagenicity: No evidence found in recognized testing
Reproductive Toxicity: No expected adverse effects, based on vitamin C and calcium safety
Other Effects: High intake can lead to gastrointestinal upset in sensitive people

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Low. Not expected to pose hazard to aquatic life in typical environmental concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable. Calcium ascorbate breaks down to ascorbic acid and calcium ions
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low risk of accumulation in organisms
Mobility in Soil: Water-soluble, likely disperses easily in water bodies
Other Adverse Effects: None identified; does not contain heavy metals or persistent organic pollutants

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of product in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations.
Container Disposal: Rinse containers thoroughly before recycling or discarding.
Special Considerations: Since product is not hazardous, standard landfill disposal usually allowed. Avoid direct discharge to waterways or sewage.
Recommendations: Recycle solution or powder with food or pharmaceutical waste streams if permitted.

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as dangerous for transport by road, air, or sea
Packing Group: Not applicable
Marine Pollutant: No
Special Transport Precautions: Protect from moisture and excessive heat in transit
Label Requirements: None unique, basic food ingredient labeling usually sufficient

Regulatory Information

Inventory Listings: Calcium ascorbate listed in major chemical inventories: US TSCA, EU REACH, Canada DSL, Australia AICS, Japan ENCS
Food Regulations: Approved as a food additive (E302 in EU), certified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by US FDA
OSHA Standards: Not regulated as a hazardous substance
Label Requirements: Comply with food labeling standards and hazard communication rules as needed
Other Regulatory Information: No SARA Section 302/304/313 listings, not subject to California Proposition 65