Halite is a type of mineral salt. It is commonly known as rock salt. Halite is the natural mineral form of NaCl (sodium chloride). It gives rise to isometric crystals. Halite is colorless, or either bluish or white in color. Other shades may include light blue, purple, dark blue, red, pink, yellow-orange, or grey in color depending on the quantity and the kinds of impurities. The molecular weight of this salt is 58.44. Other commercial names of Halite are Bulk Rock Salt – Medium, Bulk Rock Salt, Bulk Mine Fine Rock Salt, Chemical Salt, and Bulk Extra Coarse Rock Salt. It is a white crystalline solid in appearance with a concentration of about 100%
Halite could prove to be harmful to human health as it can be spread through the route of ingestion, inhalation, and contact with the eyes or skin. Inhalation in the acute form could cause irritation in the upper respiratory tract, whereas more chronic effects of inhalation have not been found yet.
Contact with the skin could cause huge amounts of irritation if the chemical is applied to abraded skin (scratches and cuts) absorption could take place. Chronic effects of contact with the skin have not been found yet. Irritation, as well as burning and build-up of more tear production, are caused by contact with eyes.
Consumption of the material in large amounts could cause nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, restlessness, dehydration, irritability, nose bleeding as well as water retention. Other effects are inclusive of sunken eyes, fever, sweating, damage of the gastrointestinal tract, muscle weakness, dry nose and mouth, cerebral edema, pulmonary edema, as well as brain damage to count a few.
First aid for the eyes involves flushing the eyes with an ample amount of water while lifting the eyelids occasionally. In case of contact with the skin, remove any sort of clothing that is covering the infected area. Wash the infected area thoroughly and rinse it after.
In case of inhalation, if the victim or person has inhaled in large quantities then shift them to a better-ventilated atmosphere and air. If they stop breathing, then apply methods for artificial respiration. If ingested in a smaller amount, it may not be serious, however for larger quantities make the victim drink large amounts of water and / or milk.
What are the measures to be taken for the accidental release of material?
For avoiding the contamination or pollution of the sewer system and water supply, one should contain the spills thus caused. For appropriate disposal, sweep or vacuum them into containers.
For storage, avoid placing the product in wet or humid conditions as it will cake and turn out to be hard. Avoid making the chemical come into interaction with strong acids. Keeping in mind the hygroscopic tendency of Sodium Chloride at 75% humidity, one should avoid storing it in a place pertaining to those.
Chick Enterprise inc. 2354 North Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63114
© 2009-2024 RockSaltUSA