Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Gypsum Powder
Identification
Product Name: Gypsum Powder
Chemical Name: Calcium sulfate dihydrate
Synonyms: Plaster of Paris, Calcium sulfate, Dihydrate Gyp, Hydrated calcium sulfate
CAS Number: 10101-41-4
Recommended Use: Building materials, agricultural amendments, art moldings
Manufacturer’s Details: Contact information, address, and emergency phone numbers for supplier or producer
Emergency Contact: Dedicated 24-hour response number provided by the supplier
Hazard Identification
Hazard Classification: Not classified as hazardous according to GHS; dust may cause temporary respiratory irritation
Label Elements: No pictogram assigned under GHS, signal word not required, precautionary statements focus on dust control
Hazards Not Otherwise Classified: Inhalation of fine powder can irritate nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract, repeated contact may dry skin
Potential Health Effects: Eyes may experience short-term irritation and redness, skin may become dry or itchy, ingestion has low toxicity but large amounts could cause stomach upset
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Component: Calcium sulfate dihydrate
Chemical Formula: CaSO4·2H2O
Concentration: 95-100% by weight
Impurities: Trace amounts of clay, quartz, or limestone may be present depending on the source of material
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, encourage slow deep breaths, seek medical attention for persistent coughing or difficulty breathing
Skin Contact: Remove powder with soap and water, rinse thoroughly, protect skin with moisturizer if dryness occurs
Eye Contact: Flush eyes gently with water for several minutes, lift eyelids to remove all dust particles, seek further care if irritation continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water if able, avoid inducing vomiting, seek medical evaluation if discomfort develops
Physician Notes: Treat symptoms, no specific antidote available
Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, foam, CO2
Specific Hazards: Material is non-combustible, but packaging or surrounding materials might catch fire
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear including NIOSH-approved respirator, avoid inhaling smoke or dust
Special Procedures: Prevent runoff into drains or waterways, control dust dispersion with moistening techniques
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Wear dust mask, goggles, and gloves, ventilate area if indoors
Environmental Precautions: Avoid releasing powder into storm drains or waterways, contain spills quickly
Cleanup Methods: Use HEPA vacuum or sweep gently with dampened broom, collect material in container for disposal or reuse, wash area thoroughly after collecting all residue
Spill Reporting: Notify local authorities if large release poses environmental or public health concerns
Handling and Storage
Handling: Minimize dust generation, use local exhaust ventilation, avoid skin and eye contact, wash hands before eating or drinking, do not inhale powder
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place, keep bags sealed when not in use, stack securely to prevent tip-over, avoid exposure to moisture to prevent caking and clumping
Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with strong acids, oxidizers, and high humidity environments
Safe Practices: Maintain clean work areas, provide training on safe handling procedures
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust and general room ventilation, enclose dusty processes, provide eye wash stations
Personal Protective Equipment: Dust mask or NIOSH-approved respirator, safety goggles or face shield, chemical-resistant gloves, long sleeves and pants in high-exposure settings
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for nuisance dust: 15 mg/m3 (total), 5 mg/m3 (respirable)
Monitoring: Conduct air monitoring in areas of high dust generation
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: White to off-white fine powder
Odor: Odorless
pH: 7.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline in water suspension)
Melting Point: Decomposes at 1450°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Density: 2.32 g/cm3 (bulk density fluctuates with processing)
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (2 g/L at 25°C), insoluble in alcohol
Other Properties: Non-volatile, not flammable, may produce minor static discharge in dry conditions, powder disperses easily in air
Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions, sensitive to prolonged contact with water or damp air
Conditions to Avoid: Excess heat, open flames, direct contact with acids, exposure to humid conditions
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids such as hydrochloric or sulfuric, reactive metals
Hazardous Decomposition: Reaction with acid can release sulfur oxides or hydrogen sulfide, high heat can break down compound to calcium oxide and sulfur gases
Toxicological Information
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, eye and skin contact
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity to humans, minimal absorption through skin, ingestion is not expected to cause harm in small quantities
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure to large amounts of dust may lead to respiratory irritation or aggravate pre-existing lung conditions
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, ACGIH, or OSHA as carcinogenic
Other Effects: No known reproductive, developmental, or systemic toxicity based on current research
Ecological Information
Environmental Impact: Non-toxic to terrestrial and aquatic life under normal conditions, dissolves slowly in water with little impact on pH or salinity
Mobility: Powder can be carried by wind and water, settles rapidly in standing water, risk of siltation in waterways from large spills
Persistence and Degradability: Stable mineral, not rapidly degraded, blends into soil over time
Bioaccumulation: No evidence of bioaccumulation in plants or animals
Other Concerns: Excessive buildup may contribute to physical changes in habitats if disposal is not managed properly
Disposal Considerations
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national requirements, landfill disposal preferred unless contaminated
Reuse: Clean material may be reused in construction or agricultural applications if free of contamination
Container Disposal: Empty containers should be shaken clean, recycled, or disposed with regular waste depending on regulations
Precautions: Avoid generating airborne dust during disposal, minimize environmental release, do not dump into sewer or surface water
Transport Information
UN Number: Not regulated under international or domestic transport regulations
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous for shipment
Packing Group: None assigned
Special Precautions: Prevent tearing of packaging, protect from moisture in transit, secure cargo to keep bags stable
Labeling: Standard product labeling is adequate under routine shipment
Regulatory Information
OSHA: Recognized as nuisance dust; subject to parts-per-million exposure limits
EPA: Not classified as hazardous waste under RCRA
TSCA: Listed on US Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
EU REACH: Registered substance, does not require special authorization for most uses
Workplace Safety: Adhere to proper exposure controls, PPE, and worker training regulations, comply with local environmental and safety legislation
