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Product Name: Sodium Polyphosphate
Synonyms: Graham’s Salt, Tetrapolyphosphate, Calgon
Chemical Formula: Nan+2PnO3n+1
CAS Number: 68915-31-1
Recommended Uses: Water softener, detergent additives, dispersing agent, corrosion control, scale prevention
Manufacturer Contact: Refer to supplier documentation for emergency phone numbers and local regulations
Emergency Overview: Solid, white powder or granules, odorless, soluble in water, nonflammable
Hazard Classes: Eye irritation, skin irritation, respiratory tract irritation
Primary Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact
Health Hazards: Causes moderate to severe irritation to skin, eyes, and potentially upper respiratory mucous membranes if dust becomes airborne
GHS Pictograms: Exclamation mark for skin and eye irritant
Signal Word: Warning
Precautionary Statements: Avoid dust formation, wear eye and skin protection, use adequate ventilation
Chemical Name: Sodium Polyphosphate
Concentration: 100%
Impurities: May contain trace amounts of sodium tripolyphosphate, orthophosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate
Other Components Present: None classified as hazardous under GHS standards
Inhalation: Remove exposed person to fresh air, seek medical attention if coughing or irritation persists, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and thoroughly wash affected area with plenty of water and soap, consult a physician if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lift upper and lower eyelids occasionally, seek medical attention if discomfort continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; do not induce vomiting, drink plenty of water, never offer anything by mouth to an unconscious person, seek medical help immediately
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: None specified due to non-flammability
Hazardous Combustion Products: Sodium oxides, phosphorus oxides may form with heavy heating
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing in confined or unventilated spaces
Fire Hazards: Product does not burn, but packaging or dust clouds may support combustion under rare circumstances
Personal Precautions: Wear dust-proof goggles, gloves, and a suitable dust respirator, avoid creating dust clouds, ventilate area
Environmental Precautions: Keep material out of drains, surface waters, and soil to prevent potential eutrophication and ecological disruption
Containment Methods: Sweep up spills carefully, collect in containers for salvage or disposal, minimize dust generation
Cleaning Methods: Rinse area with copious water, use absorbent materials for large liquid spills, clean tools and gear after handling
Handling: Handle with appropriate personal protective equipment, prevent dust accumulation, avoid unnecessary contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, use only in well-ventilated areas
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers made of corrosion-resistant materials, keep in a cool, dry place away from strong acids and moisture, avoid incompatible substances like strong oxidizers, keep segregated from food and feed products
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established ACGIH or OSHA exposure limits, but limit dust to below nuisance dust threshold (usually 10 mg/m3 for total dust, 5 mg/m3 respirable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, keep workspaces clean and well-ventilated, implement dust suppression measures
Personal Protection: Safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, PVC, or neoprene), dust mask (P2 or N95), long-sleeved clothing, eye-wash stations and emergency showers readily accessible
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling material, contaminated clothing should be removed and laundered before reuse
Form: White powdery or granular solid
Odor: Odorless
Molecular Weight: 367.86 to 790 (varies by degree of polymerization)
pH (1% solution): 9.2–9.6
Melting Point/Range: Softens above 600°C (decomposes rather than melts)
Boiling Point: Not applicable (solid decomposes)
Density: Approximately 2.5 g/cm3
Solubility: Readily soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol and organic solvents
Decomposition: Releases oxides of sodium and phosphorus at high temperatures
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Other Properties: Hygroscopic, absorbs moisture from air, forms sticky mass if exposed to humidity
Chemical Stability: Stable under typical storage conditions, may cake or harden with excessive moisture exposure
Conditions to Avoid: High humidity, contact with strong acids causes hydrolysis and release of orthophosphate ions
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong oxidizing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Phosphorus oxides, sodium oxides, potentially toxic and irritating fumes above 600°C
Polymerization: Does not occur under normal handling
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) > 2,000 mg/kg (low toxicity); unlikely to be toxic in standard workplace exposure
Chronic Effects: No carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive toxicity evidence found in current literature
Irritation: Repeated or prolonged skin contact can cause dryness or moderate irritation due to alkalinity; eye contact causes redness, watering, some pain
Inhalation: Dust may irritate respiratory tract, coughing or shortness of breath possible after significant exposure
Ingestion: May cause gastrointestinal upset, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea if significant amount ingested
Sensitization: No evidence of skin or respiratory sensitization from chronic use
Aquatic Toxicity: May contribute to algal blooms and eutrophication in water bodies from phosphate runoff, but direct toxicity to fish and aquatic invertebrates considered low at normal concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Degrades slowly in soil and water through microbial conversion to orthophosphate
Bioaccumulation: Low potential, little evidence for significant biomagnification
Mobility: Highly soluble in water, can migrate readily through soil and waterways
Other Hazards: Phosphates are often regulated due to their environmental impact; disposal into local waters subject to municipal or regional wastewater controls
Waste Management: Collect for reuse or disposal according to local, national, or international regulations
Disposal Methods: Large amounts may require treatment as non-hazardous industrial waste; follow guidelines for solid inorganic chemicals
Container Disposal: Rinse empty containers thoroughly before recycling or disposal, avoid landfill of product residues
Environmental Precautions: Do not discharge in bulk into waterways, storm drains, or the environment; inform local authorities if accidental releases could threaten water supplies
UN Number: Not classified as a dangerous good under UN, DOT, IATA, or IMDG guidelines
Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated, commonly shipped as sodium polyphosphate
Hazard Class: Not applicable
Packing Group: Not applicable
Marine Pollutant: Not listed, but monitor for spillage near water sources
Special Precautions: Protect from moisture during transit, use sealed packaging, transport in dry transport containers
Label Requirements: No specific labels required, but bulk shipments should include product name and contact information
Global Inventories: Listed in TSCA (US), EINECS or ELINCS (EU), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia), and other major chemical inventories
OSHA Regulation: Does not appear on OSHA hazardous chemical lists, but recommended to manage as a workplace irritant
SARA / Title III: Not covered by SARA 302/304 or 313 requirements, but Section 311/312 hazard for “Immediate (Acute) Health Hazard” may apply
EPA Regulation: Not listed as a hazardous substance under CERCLA; phosphates broadly regulated in some U.S. states for environmental discharge
Other Regulation: Subject to standard chemical substance labeling, packaging, and workplace safety standards; check local, regional, or national legislation regarding environmental release and disposal
