Print
Chemical Datasheet

CALCIUM CARBONATE

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 471-34-1
 none data unavailable none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Calcium carbonate
  • CALCIUM CARBONATE
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
White, odorless powder or colorless crystals. Practically insoluble in water. Occurs extensive in rocks world-wide. Ground calcium carbonate (CAS: 1317-65-3) results directly from the mining of limestone. The extraction process keeps the carbonate very close to its original state of purity and delivers a finely ground product either in dry or slurry form. Precipitated calcium carbonate (CAS: 471-34-1) is produced industrially by the decomposition of limestone to calcium oxide followed by subsequent recarbonization or as a by-product of the Solvay process (which is used to make sodium carbonate). Precipitated calcium carbonate is purer than ground calcium carbonate and has different (and tailorable) handling properties.

Hazards

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 Calcium carbonate:

Exposure Routes: Inhalation, skin and/or eye contact

Symptoms: Irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system; cough

Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system (NIOSH, 2023)
Reactivity Profile
CALCIUM CARBONATE is non-combustible. Decomposes at high temperature (825°C) to give gaseous carbon dioxide and calcium oxide (quicklime). Incompatible with acids, alum, ammonium salts, fluorine, magnesium. Reacts with acids and acidic salts to generate gaseous carbon dioxide with effervescence (bubbling). The reaction with concentrated solutions of acids is rapid and exothermic. The effervesence can create extensive foaming. Ignites on contact with fluorine.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
No information available.
Firefighting
No information available.
Non-Fire Response
No information available.
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Calcium carbonate:

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, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Calcium carbonate:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: SOAP WASH - If this chemical contacts the skin, wash the contaminated skin with soap and water.

Breathing: FRESH AIR - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. Other measures are usually unnecessary. (NIOSH, 2023)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • CaCO3
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 1517 to 2442°F (Decomposes) (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Pressure: 0 mmHg (approx) (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.95 (NIOSH, 2023)
Boiling Point: Decomposes (NIOSH, 2023)
Molecular Weight: 100.1 (NIOSH, 2023)
Water Solubility: 0.001 % (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

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
Carbonic acid, calcium salt (471-34-1) 45 mg/m3 210 mg/m3 1300 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

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