| GHS classification | DangerH250: Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air [Danger Pyrophoric liquids]P210, P222, P223, P231, P231+P232, P233, P280, P302+P335+P334, P370+P378, P402+P404, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 18.4% (405 of 2205) of reports.H228 (44.9%): Flammable solid [Danger Flammable solids] |
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| Regulatory information | Chemical: MagnesiumMagnesium is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Magnesium are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)Status: Active Update: 12-05-2023 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/15545Magnesium pellets, turnings, ribbon, alloys >50%: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standardThe New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act requires public and private employers to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1 et. seq.) |
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| Other safety information | IMAP assessments - Magnesium: Human health tier I assessment |
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| DOT label | Flammable SolidDangerous When Wet Spontaneously Combustible |
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| Fire hazards | Behavior in Fire: Forms dense white smoke. Flame is very bright. (USCG, 1999)Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:· Produce flammable gases on contact with water.Highly flammable. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire. May ignite spontaneously on contact with air. Finely dispersed particles form explosive mixtures in air.Highly flammable when finely divided. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire. |
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| Fire potential | MAGNESIUM FIRE: DO NOT FLARE UP VIOLENTLY UNLESS...MOISTURE PRESENT. DANGEROUS IN FORM OF DUST OR FLAKES, WHEN EXPOSED TO FLAME OR BY VIOLENT CHEM REACTION WITH OXIDIZING AGENTS. ...SOLID FORM IS DIFFICULT TO IGNITE...IT MUST BE HEATED ABOVE ITS MELTING POINT... FINELY DIVIDED FORM...MAY BE IGNITED BY SPARK OR FLAME...OR EVEN SPONTANEOUSLY WHEN...DAMP, PARTICULARLY WITH WATER-OIL EMULSION. DURING MACHINING, MAGNESIUM FIRES RESULT FROM USE OF DULL CUTTING TOOLS, MACHINING WITH LIGHT CUT AT HIGH SPEEDS OR RUBBING OF TOOL ON WORK AFTER CUTTING OPERATION IS FINISHED.Burns in aircontinues to burn in a current of steam....FRAGMENTS OF METAL.../RESULTING/ FROM GRINDING, POLISHING OR MACHINING CAN...BE IGNITED BY...SPARK OR FLAME...BURN AT...1250 °C... ACCIDENTS OF THIS TYPE HAVE OCCURRED WHEN TOOL WAS SHARPENED ON WHEEL...PREVIOUSLY USED TO GRIND MG ALLOY CASTINGS.The temp at which massive magnesium & its alloys will ignite in air or carbon dioxide at 1 bar or 15 bar pressure depends on the heating program & the presence or absence of moisture. Steady progressive heating caused ignition in carbon dioxide at 900 °C (780 deg if moist), or at 800 °C after 4 hr (650 deg/ 40 min if moist), combustion being violent. |
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| Health hazards | Dust irritates eyes in same way as any foreign material. Penetration of skin by fragments of metal is likely to produce local irritation, blisters, and ulcers which may become infected. (USCG, 1999)Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:· Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. |
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| Hazards summary | Elemental magnesium can cause serious skin burns and magnesium fume may cause metal fume fever[CHEMINFO MSDS] The normal range of serum magnesium is 1.7-2.4 mg/dL. The therapeutic level for toxemia is 5-7.4 mg/dL Sedation and hypotension occur at levels exceeding 8-12 mg/dL. Arrhythmias and muscular paralysis with respiratory arrest occur at levels exceeding 12 mg/dL. Patients with renal insufficiency taking magnesium-containing antacids or cathartics are at risk. [Olson, p. 301] |
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| DOT ID and guide | 1418 1381869 138 |
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| FDA requirements | Drug products containing certain active ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for certain uses. Magnesium is included in weight control drug product. |
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| Reactive group | Metals, Elemental and Powder, Active |
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| EC classification | H250H260Symbol: FR: 11-15S: (2)-7/8-43 |
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| UN classification | UN Hazard Class: 4.3UN Subsidiary Risks: 4.2UN Pack Group: I, II, IIIUN Hazard Class: 4.1UN Pack Group: III |
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| Fire fighting | Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Water, foam, halogenated agents, carbon dioxide.Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:Use dry sand, special powder. NO water. NO other agents.Use dry sand, special powder. NO hydrous agents, carbon dioxide, other agents. |
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| First aid measures | Fresh air, rest.Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.Rinse mouth.Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. |
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| Accidental release measures | · CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. |
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| First aid | EYES: flush with water to remove dust.Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:General First Aid: |
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| Safe storage | Fireproof. Dry. Well closed. Separated from other incompatible materials.Fireproof. Separated from other incompatible materials. Dry. Well closed. |
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| Exposure control and personal protection | · Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). |
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| Fire fighting procedures | Burning of magnesium cannot be extinguished with water, carbon dioxide, halons or nitrogen ..., and more important, if these agents are used in fire-fighting, the hazardous situation will become even more severe. The only agents that can be applied successfully are the noble gases or in some cases boron trifluoride.To fight fire, operators & fire fighters can approach a magnesium fire to within a few feet if no moisture is present. Water & ordinary extinguishers, such as carbon dioxide & carbon tetrachloride should not be used on magnesium fires. G-1 powder or powdered talc should be used on open fires.Use approved Class D extinguishers or smother with dry sand, dry clay, or dry ground limestone and dry graphite. DO NOT use carbon dioxide or halogenated extinguishing agents. DO NOT use water or foam.Avoid looking at the intense white flame.For more Fire Fighting Procedures (Complete) data for MAGNESIUM, ELEMENTAL (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page. |
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| Storage conditions | Detached storage must be used for finely divided materials. Must be stored in a dry location. Isolate from halogens, acids, and oxidizing materials.Molten magnesium must be protected by an atmosphere of some noncombustible gas such as sulfur dioxide to prevent ignition. |
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| Nonfire spill response | Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]: |
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| Disposal methods | SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.BUILDINGS IN WHICH MAGNESIUM IS CAST OR MACHINED SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED, IF POSSIBLE, OF NON-FLAMMABLE MATERIALS AND WITHOUT LEDGES OR PROTRUBERANCES ON WHICH MAGNESIUM DUST MIGHT ACCUMULATE. THE ACCUMULATION OF SHAVINGS AND "SWARF" SHOULD BE PREVENTED, PREFERABLY BY WET SWEEPING. UNTIL FINAL DISPOSAL, THE SCRAPINGS SHOULD BE COLLECTED IN SMALL CONTAINERS AND PLACED APART AT SAFE INTERVALS. SAFEST METHOD FOR DISPOSAL OF MAGNESIUM WASTE IS PROBABLY WETTING & BURYING. |
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| Spillage disposal | Remove all ignition sources. Consult an expert! Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered dry containers. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations. Do NOT wash away into sewer.Remove all ignition sources. Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Do NOT wash away into sewer. Sweep spilled substance into covered dry containers. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations. |
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| Preventive Measures | WHERE DUST-IGNITION PROOF ELECTRICIAL EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED BY NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, IT SHALL BE CLASS II, GROUP E EQUIPMENT.If material not on fire and not involved in fire: Do not use water. Keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Keep material dry. Do not attempt to sweep up dry material.Personnel protection: Wear appropriate chemical protective gloves, boots and goggles. Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water.SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for MAGNESIUM, ELEMENTAL (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page. |
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| Adverse effects | Dermatotoxin - Skin burns.Adverse reactions are associated with magnesium’s effect on the neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems and can vary depending on the formulation. Effects can include the following: |
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| Exposure routes | The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of dust. |
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| Toxicity summary | Hypermagnesemia: Serum Magnesium Concentration Greater than 2.6 mg/dL |
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| Signs and Symptoms | Cough. Sore throat. Shortness of breath.Redness.Redness. Pain.Burning sensation in the mouth.Burning sensation in the mouth and in the chest and stomach. |
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| ICSC Environmental Data | Environmental effects of the substance have been adequately investigated, but no significant effects have been found. |
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| Natural Pollution Sources | MAGNESIUM DOES NOT EXIST IN A PURE STATE IN NATURE BUT IS GENERALLY FOUND IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FORMS: DOLOMITE...MAGNESITE...BRUCITE...PERICLASE...CARNALLITE...KIERSITE. IN ADDITION, IT IS FOUND AS A SILICATE IN ASBESTOS & TALC. ...WIDELY DISTRIBUTED.ONE OF MOST COMMON ELEMENTS IN EARTH'S CRUST: 27,640 PPM. ... FOUND NATURALLY ONLY IN FORM OF ITS COMPD IN MAGNESITE, CARNALLITE, DOLOMITE [CaMg(CO3)2], EPSOMITE, KIESERITE & OTHER MINERALSFOUND IN SEA-WATERUNDERGROUND NATURAL BRINES AND SALT DEPOSISTS. ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT FOR MOST PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE. |
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| Human Toxicity Excerpts | /HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ May be irritating to skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Avoid looking at the intense white flame./HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ THE MOST SERIOUS HAZARD PRESENTED BY MAGNESIUM IS THE DANGER FROM BURNS./HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ CONJUNCTIVITIS & NASAL CATARRAH WERE COMPLAINED OF BY SOME OF 96 WORKERS...IN PRODUCTION OF MAGNESIUM FROM MAGNESITE... THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT INHALATION OF MAGNESIUM DUST HAS LED TO LUNG INJURY. COMPLAINTS OF COUGHING UP DISCOLORED SPUTUM...MADE BY SOME WORKERS IN PRINTING TRADE WHERE FINE DUST WAS GENERATED./HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ Direct contact may cause irritation of skin, eyes, respiratory system.For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for MAGNESIUM, ELEMENTAL (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page. |
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| Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts | /LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ FINELY DIVIDED METALLIC MAGNESIUM INTRODUCED INTO THE LUNGS OF GUINEA PIGS BY INTRATRACHEAL TUBE SHOWED MICROSCOPIC VACUOLES WITHIN CYTOPLASM OF MONONUCLEAR CELLS PROJECTING FROM SURFACES OF ALVEOLAR WALLSTHESE WERE REGARDED AS SPECIFIC EFFECTS OF HYDROGEN. HEALING OCCURRED WITHIN 6 WK WITH NO EVIDENCE OF RESIDUAL FIBROSIS./LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ APPLICATION OF MG POWDER TO ABRADED /skin/ SURFACES GAVE INFLAMMATORY REACTION WITH MUCH MORE EXUDATE & ENCRUSTATION THAN THAT CAUSED BY A LOW-MAGNESIUM ALLOY OR BY ALUMINUM./LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ ...NO DAMAGE TO LUNGS OF CATS & GUINEA PIGS /OBSERVED/ FOLLOWING INHALATION OF FINELY DIVIDED MG METAL./LABORATORY ANIMALS: Chronic Exposure or Carcinogenicity/ ...Mg treatment inhibited renal tumor formation by Ni in the rat. Relatively low doses of Mg completely suppressed the tumorigenic effects of Ni and Pb salts towards the lungs of strain A mice.For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for MAGNESIUM, ELEMENTAL (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page. |
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| Probable Routes of Human Exposure | The incidence of cancer mortality was studied in a cohort of 2391 male workers producing magnesium metal. Exposure to irritative dust or fumes had occurred frequently in the mortality categories. The highest incidence of lung cancer were found in those who were employed at the plant the longest.... Fine particles of magnesium dispersed in air during trimming, filing, or buffing of castings may cause irritation to mucous membranes. |
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| Antidote and Emergency Treatment | Magnesium toxicity can be counteracted with calcium infusion. |
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| USGS Health-Based Screening Levels for Evaluating Water-Quality | MagnesiumMajor ionSmith, C.D. and Nowell, L.H., 2024. Health-Based Screening Levels for evaluating water-quality data (3rd ed.). DOI:10.5066/F71C1TWP |
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| DHS Chemicals of Interest (COI) | Magnesium (powder)A Commercial Grade100Explosive/Improvised Explosive Device Precursor material that, if stolen or diverted, can be converted into weapons using simple chemistry, equipment, or techniques. |
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