Bentonite Powder

Personal Protection:

• Respiratory Protection:NIOSH-approved N95 dust mask or half-face respirator (for prolonged exposure)
• Eye Protection:Safety goggles (sealed type recommended for powder handling)
• Skin Protection:Long-sleeved clothing + nitrile gloves
• Footwear:Closed-toe shoes with anti-static properties (for large quantities)

Handling & Storage:

• Dust Control:Use local exhaust ventilation or wet suppression methods
• Static Prevention:Ground all equipment when transferring bulk powder
• Storage Conditions:Keep in cool, dry place (<40°C/104°F) in sealed containers
• Stacking Limit:Maximum 10 bags high (prevent compaction/rupture)

Special Handling:

• Avoid creating dust clouds (explosion hazard in confined spaces)
• Use non-sparking tools in bulk handling areas
• Prohibit eating/drinking in handling zones

Inhalation Exposure:

1. Immediate relocation to fresh air area
2. Administer 100% oxygen if breathing difficulty occurs
3. Bronchodilator treatment for bronchospasm (medical personnel only)

Eye Contact:

1. Immediate irrigation with sterile saline solution (minimum 20 minutes)
2. Eyelid eversion during rinsing to remove particulate matter
3. Fluorescein staining examination required (ophthalmologic referral)

Skin Contact:

1. Brush off excess powder before washing
2. Wash with pH-neutral cleanser (avoid abrasive scrubbing)
3. Apply emollient cream for drying effects

Ingestion:

1. Rinse mouth with water (do NOT induce vomiting)
2. Administer 200-300mL water for dilution
3. Monitor for intestinal obstruction in massive ingestions

Fire Characteristics:

• Non-combustible material (NFPA Class 1)
• No flash point or autoignition temperature
• Thermal decomposition begins at 650°C (1202°F)

Explosion Hazards:

• Dust explosion class (St-1) with minimum ignition energy 30-100 mJ
• Explosive concentration: 30-50 g/m³ in air
• Maximum explosion pressure: 8.5 bar

Extinguishing Media:

• Primary: Water fog (prevents dust dispersion)
• Secondary: Dry chemical (Class D) for surrounding fires

Firefighting Protocol:

1. Evacuate non-essential personnel (300m radius for bulk storage)
2. Implement dust suppression prior to firefighting
3. Cool adjacent containers with water spray (avoid direct streams)
4. Post-fire atmospheric monitoring required (oxygen deficiency risk)

Minor Spills (<25kg):

1. Apply dust suppressant (water mist or commercial agent)
2. Collect using intrinsically safe vacuum system
3. Transfer to UN-approved containers

Major Spills (>25kg):

1. Establish 50m exclusion zone
2. Implement wind direction monitoring
3. Use front-end loader with dust suppression attachment
4. Dispose as non-hazardous waste (RCRA classification)

Environmental Protection:

• Secondary containment required for bulk storage
• Prevent entry into storm drains (although non-toxic)
• No special soil remediation needed

5. Storage & Handling Specifications

Bulk Storage:

• Silo design: ≤70% capacity (prevent bridging)
• Explosion venting: 1m² per 10m³ volume
• Conductive flooring (<10⁶ ohms resistance)

Packaged Goods:

• Stacking pattern: Interlocked rows every 5 layers
• Pallet spacing: Minimum 1m between stacks
• Shelf life: 24 months in original packaging