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Chemical Datasheet

MAGNESIUM OXIDE

Chemical Identifiers | Hazards | Response Recommendations | Physical Properties | Regulatory Information | Alternate Chemical Names

Chemical Identifiers

The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 1309-48-4
none data unavailable none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Magnesium oxide fumeexternal_link
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A white solid, often found as a powder. When fine particles of magnesium oxide are dispersed in air, whether directly or when generated by the burning or cutting of magnesium metal, the resulting magnesium oxide fume is an inhalation hazard.

Hazards

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
No rapid reaction with air. No rapid reaction with water.
Fire Hazard
No information available.
Health Hazard
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Magnesium oxide fumeexternal link:

Exposure Routes: Inhalation, skin and/or eye contact

Symptoms: Irritation eyes, nose; metal fume fever: cough, chest pain, flu-like fever

Target Organs: Eyes, respiratory system (NIOSH, 2024)
Reactivity Profile
Phosphorus pentachloride and magnesium oxide react with brilliant incandescence [Mellor 8:1016. 1946-1947]. The oxide is incompatible with interhalogens such as bromine pentafluoride, etc.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
No information available.
Firefighting
No information available.
Non-Fire Response
No information available.
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Magnesium oxide fumeexternal link:

Skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for personal protective equipment for the body.

Eyes: No recommendation is made specifying the need for eye protection.

Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).

Remove: No recommendation is made specifying the need for removing clothing that becomes wet or contaminated.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Magnesium oxide fumeexternal link:

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible. (NIOSH, 2024)

Physical Properties

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • MgO
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 5072°F (NIOSH, 2024)
Vapor Pressure: 0 mmHg (approx) (NIOSH, 2024)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 3.58 (NIOSH, 2024) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 6512°F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024)
Molecular Weight: 40.3 (NIOSH, 2024)
Water Solubility: 0.009 % at 86°F (NIOSH, 2024)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 750 mg/m3 [From NPG: Magnesium oxide fume] (NIOSH, 2024)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Magnesium oxide (1309-48-4) 30 mg/m3 120 mg/m3 730 mg/m3
(DOE, 2024)

Regulatory Information

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

No regulatory information available.

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.