Calcium Chloride (CaCl2)

Product Safety

Product Safety Assessment (PSA): Calcium Chloride

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Names
Product Overview
Manufacture of Product
Product Description
Product Uses
Exposure Potential
Health Information
Environmental Information
Physical Hazard Information
Regulatory Information
Additional Information
References

Names

CAS No. 10043-52-4
Calcium chloride

CaCl₂
Calcium dichloride

Calcium (2+) chloride

Product Overview

Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) has been manufactured for over 100 years.¹ It is used in a variety of industrial and consumer products, and is supplied as flakes, pebbles, pellets, powders and solutions with varying concentrations. Calcium chloride products sold by The Dow Chemical Company include: BRINERS CHOICE™ calcium chloride, DOWFLAKE™ calcium chloride, COMBOTHERM™ commercial strength blended deicer, LIQUIDOW™ calcium chloride and PELADOW™ premier snow and ice melter calcium chloride, PELADOW DG calcium chloride, LIQUIDOW food grade calcium chloride, calcium chloride 77-80% powder, food grade anhydrous 94-97% calcium chloride, and anhydrous calcium chloride 94-97% mini-pellets.

Calcium chloride is largely used on sidewalks, parking lots and roads as a deicer or on unpaved surfaces as a dust control agent. In addition, innovative applications such as boosting the efficiency of oil drilling and completion of oil wells has expanded its use.² See Product Uses.
Calcium chloride was evaluated to be a food substance of very low toxicity. In fact, the substance is considered as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The average intake of calcium chloride as food additives has been estimated to be 160-345 mg/day for individuals.³ However, ingestion of concentrated or pure calcium chloride products may cause gastrointestinal irritation or ulceration. Skin and eye exposure to calcium chloride can cause irritation and even a burn. Vapors are unlikely due to physical properties, however dust or mists may cause irritation to the upper respiratory tract.⁴ Due to the hygroscopic nature (tendency to absorb water) of calcium chloride, and the numerous forms in which it is sold (solid, solutions of varying concentration), users should carefully review the Safety Data Sheet for the specific product being used. See also the Physical Hazard Information and Health Information.
Occupational and consumer exposure is dependent upon the conditions under which calcium chloride is used. See Exposure Potential.
Calcium chloride dissociates easily in water to form calcium and chloride ions. Calcium is essential for the formation of skeletons, neural transmission, muscle contraction, and coagulation of the blood. It promotes algae and higher plant growth. Chloride ions are also required for normal cellular operations in animals and humans, and serve as a micronutrient for plants, playing important roles in photosynthesis and osmoregulation.⁵ Calcium chloride is considered to be practically non-toxic to aquatic organisms⁶ and bioaccumulation is unlikely.⁷

Manufacture of Product

Capacity – The Dow Chemical Company has a calcium chloride manufacturing facility in Ludington, Michigan, which accounts for roughly 35% of the total U.S. capacity for calcium chloride. ⁸ North American demand in 2002 was 1,687,000 tons (3.7 billion pounds).⁹
Process – Dow produces its calcium chloride products using brine that contains calcium chloride, sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The brine is treated with calcium oxide (CaO) obtained from limestone (CaCO₃) by heating. Water is boiled off to form a solution of the desired concentration in water. Solid products in the form of flakes, pellets or mini-pellets are produced by further drying of the solution to varying degrees.

Product Description

Calcium chloride is sold either as a solid or in liquid solutions. Solid forms of calcium chloride are odorless, white to off-white pellets, mini-pellets or flakes, such as PELADOW calcium chloride, anhydrous calcium chloride 94-97% or DOWFLAKE calcium chloride. Solution products of calcium chloride, such as LIQUIDOW calcium chloride solution, are odorless, colorless to pale yellow liquids with viscosities that vary with the concentration.

Product Uses¹⁰

The main uses of calcium chloride are:

Deicing agents (deicers) – for sidewalk, parking lot and road treatments
Road stabilization and dust control
Industrial processing – as additives in plastics, for calcium salt production, drainage aids for wastewater treatment, etc.

Accelerators in concrete – to increase curing speed
Oil and gas well fluids – to boost the efficiency of drilling and the completion of wells
Miscellaneous smaller applications – tire ballast, water treatment, hydrocarbon desiccant, refrigeration brine, food processing agent or coagulating agent and additive for foods

Exposure Potential¹¹

Based on the uses for calcium chloride, the public could be exposed through:

Workplace exposure – Exposure can occur either in a calcium chloride manufacturing facility or in the various industrial facilities that use calcium chloride. Workers who apply calcium chloride as a deicer, road and dust stabilizer, industrial processing agent, accelerator for concrete or well fluid could be exposed during packing, unpacking or use. Skin contact and dust inhalation may occur. Each manufacturing and industrial facility should have appropriate work process and safety equipment policies in place to limit calcium chloride exposure. Follow all application guidelines and wear the specified protective equipment for the product being used. Good industrial hygiene and safe operating practices minimize the risk of exposure. Safety glasses or goggles, protective clothing and/or gloves resistant to calcium chloride and a particulate respirator should be worn when recommended.
Consumer use of products containing Calcium chloride – Calcium chloride is naturally present in the environment in substances such as brine. CaCl₂ is also manufactured and used in food products, medications and on road surfaces, so the public will likely be exposed to calcium chloride regardless of the origin of the source. Calcium chloride can also be purchased at stores for use around the home for ice and snow removal. In this case, consumers should follow the directions for use and any safety recommendations specified on the product label or container. Calcium (Ca) and chloride (Cl) ions both naturally occur in the environment and calcium chloride easily dissociates into Ca and Cl ions in water. These ions are essential micronutrients for both plants and animals, so exposure to calcium chloride in the environment is considered to have low potential hazard. See Health Information.
Environmental releases – In the event of a spill, the focus is on containing the spill to prevent contamination of soil, surface or ground water. Use as a deicer and road stabilizer means that calcium chloride will be "released" or introduced into the environment in a controlled fashion. See Environmental, Health and Physical Hazard information.
Large release – Industrial spills or releases are infrequent and are generally contained. If a large spill does occur, the material should be captured, collected and re-processed, or disposed of according to federal, state/provincial or local regulations. Emergency personnel should wear proper protective equipment and follow emergency procedures carefully. See Environmental, Health and Physical Hazard information.

Health Information

As with all chemical substances, the health effects associated with exposure to calcium chloride depend on the exposure level and duration.

Calcium chloride was evaluated to be a food substance of very low toxicity. In fact, the substance is considered as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.¹² The average intake of calcium chloride as a food additive has been estimated to be 160-345 mg/day for individuals.¹³ Small amounts swallowed incidentally as a result of normal handling operations are not likely to cause injury; however, swallowing larger amounts may cause gastrointestinal irritation or ulceration. If ingestion does occur, do not induce vomiting. Give one cup (240 ml) of water or milk if available and transport to a medical facility.

Skin and eye exposure to calcium chloride can cause irritation and even a burn. When calcium chloride is dissolved in water, heat is produced, which may cause more intense irritation as well as thermal burns. Spattering and boiling can also occur, so proper protective equipment should be worn. Vapors are unlikely due to physical properties, however dust or mists may cause irritation to the upper respiratory tract.¹⁴ Due to the hygroscopic nature (tendency to absorb water) of calcium chloride, and the numerous forms in which it is sold (solid, solutions of varying concentration), users should carefully review the Safety Data Sheet for the specific product being used.

Genetic toxicity studies for calcium chloride were negative in the bacterial mutation tests and the mammalian chromosome aberration test, meaning calcium chloride was not observed to increase mutations.¹⁵

For more information on the health hazards of calcium chloride and recommended protective equipment, view the Safety Data Sheet.

Environmental Information

Calcium chloride dissociates easily in water to form Ca and Cl ions. Calcium is essential for the formation of skeletons, neural transmission, muscle contraction, coagulation of the blood, and algae and higher plant growth. Chloride ions are also required for normal cellular operations in animals and humans, and serve as a micronutrient for plants, playing important roles in photosynthesis and osmoregulation.¹⁶ Calcium chloride is considered to be practically non-toxic to aquatic organisms¹⁷ and bioaccumulation is unlikely.¹⁸

Physical Hazard Information

Calcium chloride does not burn and is not flammable, however flammable hydrogen may be generated from contact with metals such as zinc and sodium. Calcium chloride is corrosive to some metals. Avoid contact with brass, ferrous metals and mild steel. Also avoid contact with sulfuric acid.¹⁹

Calcium chloride is completely soluble in water. Because calcium chloride is hygroscopic, it should be stored in a dry place and be protected from atmospheric moisture. Heat is produced when calcium chloride is dissolved in water and spattering and boiling can occur. Be sure storage containers are clean and dry.²⁰

Additional physical property information for calcium chloride is available in the Calcium Chloride Handbook: A Guide to Properties, Forms, Storage and Handling (1.6MB PDF).

Regulatory Information

Regulations may exist that govern the manufacture, sale, transportation, use and/or disposal of Calcium Chloride. These regulations may vary by city, state, country or geographic region. Information may be found by consulting the relevant Safety Data Sheet or Contact Us.

Additional Information

Calcium Chloride OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Profile (871KB PDF)
- For further information, see OECD SIDS program

For more business information about calcium chloride, visit Dow’s Calcium Chloride web site.

Last Updated: May 2, 2006

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References

¹ Organic Materials Review Institute, September 28, 2001, page 3.
² Chemical Economics Handbook Report Calcium Chloride, SRI Consulting, September 2001, abstract.
³ Calcium Chloride SIDS Initial Assessment Profile, UNEP Publications, SIAM 15, Boston, October 22-25, 2002, pages 13-14.
⁴ Calcium Chloride Safety Data Sheet, No. 005488, October 20, 2003, pages 1-2.
⁵ Calcium Chloride SIDS Initial Assessment Profile, UNEP Publications, SIAM 15, Boston, October 22-25, 2002, pages 1, 2 and 4.
⁶ Calcium Chloride Safety Data Sheet, No. 005488, October 20, 2003, page 6.
⁷ LIQUIDOW^TM Technical Grade Calcium Chloride Safety Data Sheet, May 5, 2005, pages 4-5.
⁸ Calcium Chloride Chemical Profile, The Innovation Group, www.the-innovation-group.com, printed September 9, 2005.
⁹ Calcium Chloride SIDS Initial Assessment Profile, UNEP Publications, SIAM 15, Boston, October 22-25, 2002, page 11.
¹⁰ Calcium Chloride SIDS Initial Assessment Profile, UNEP Publications, SIAM 15, Boston, October 22-25, 2002, pages 11-12.
¹¹ Calcium Chloride SIDS Initial Assessment Profile, UNEP Publications, SIAM 15, Boston, October 22-25, 2002, pages 4, 12-14.
¹² 21 CFR § 184.1193.
¹³ Calcium Chloride SIDS Initial Assessment Profile, UNEP Publications, SIAM 15, Boston, October 22-25, 2002, pages 13-14.
¹⁴ Calcium Chloride Safety Data Sheet, No. 005488, October 20, 2003, pages 1-2, 6.
¹⁵ Calcium Chloride SIDS Initial Assessment Profile, UNEP Publications, SIAM 15, Boston, October 22-25, 2002, page 18.
¹⁶ Calcium Chloride SIDS Initial Assessment Profile, UNEP Publications, SIAM 15, Boston, October 22-25, 2002, pages 1, 2 and 4.
¹⁷ Calcium Chloride Safety Data Sheet, No. 005488, October 20, 2003, page 6.
¹⁸ LIQUIDOW Technical Grade Calcium Chloride Safety Data Sheet, May 5, 2005, pages 4-5.
¹⁹ LIQUIDOW Technical Grade Calcium Chloride Safety Data Sheet, May 5, 2005, page 4.
²⁰ Calcium Chloride Safety Data Sheet, No. 005488, October 20, 2003, pages 3-4.

®™* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow

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