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Chemical Datasheet

MAGNESIUM OXIDE

Chemical Identifiers

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 fume
  • MAGNESIUM OXIDE
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

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 fume:

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, 2023)
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

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 fume:

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 Magnesium oxide fume:

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, 2023)

Physical Properties

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, 2023)
Vapor Pressure: 0 mmHg (approx) (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 3.58 (NIOSH, 2023) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 6512°F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2023)
Molecular Weight: 40.3 (NIOSH, 2023)
Water Solubility: 0.009 % at 86°F (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 750 mg/m3 [From NPG: Magnesium oxide fume] (NIOSH, 2023)

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, 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