MAGNESIUM OXIDE

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Basic information

  • Chemical formula(s): \({\rm MgO}\)
  • Other names: calcined brucite, calcined magnesia, magnesia
  • CAS: 1309-48-4
  • International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): 0504
  • Flammability: no
  • NOAA’s description: white hygroscopic solid, often found as a powder

NFPA 704 (fire diamond)

  • Health (blue): 1 - exposure would cause irritation with only minor residual injury.
  • Flammability (red): 0 - will not burn under typical fire conditions, will not burn in air unless exposed to a temperature of 820 °C for more than 5 minutes.
  • Instability–reactivity (yellow): 0 - normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water.
  • Special notice (white): -

Hazard statements

Code Phrase
H315 causes skin irritation
H319 causes serious eye irritation
H335 may cause respiratory irritation

Precautionary statements

Code Phrase
P261 avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray
P264 wash … thoroughly after handling
P271 use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area
P273 avoid release to the environment
P280 wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: wash with soap and water
P304+P340 IF INHALED: remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing
P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: rinse continuously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing
P312 call the ETH Emergency Desk: +41 44 342 11 88 (from mobile) or 888 (from landline) if you feel unwell
P333+P313 IF SKIN IRRITATION OR A RASH OCCURS: get medical advice/attention
P337+P313 IF EYE IRRITATION PERSISTS: get medical advice/attention
P362 take off contaminated clothing
P363 wash contaminated clothing before reuse
P391 collect spillage
P403+P233 store in a well ventilated place, keep container tightly closed
P405 store locked up

Protective measures

Gloves

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and OSHA Glove Selection Chart do not provide recommendation on gloves for handling magnesium oxide. Carl Roth specifies only the nitrile gloves as a PPE against magnesium oxide:

  • Neoprene: N/A
  • Natural latex or rubber: N/A
  • Buthyl: N/A
  • Nitrile: very good.

Safety goggles

  • Always wear safety goggles when handling magnesium oxide. Corrective glasses are not considered safety googles.
  • Handle magnesium oxide inside the fume hood only (with exception of moving the closed bottle to and from the storage cabinet).

Clothing

  • Wear long trousers and fully covered shoes.
  • Contact lenses are forbidden while working with chemical substances, even in combination with safety glasses.
  • Do not wear cosmetics.
  • Do not wear synthetic clothing while working with flammable liquids or gases or when a hazard is present as these materials tend to melt and stick to exposed skin.
  • Do not wear headphones.

Spill management

  • Use personal protective equipment.
  • Avoid dust formation, avoid breathing dust.
  • Avoid breathing vapors or mist.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation.
  • Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
  • Sweep up without creating dust and arrange disposal.
  • Do not let it enter drain.
  • If a spill happened outside the fume hood (on the floor or desktop) contact Dr Jakub Tkaczuk (+41 44 632 31 62) and the ETH Emergency Desk (+41 44 342 11 88 from mobile or 888 from landline).