Is polyaluminum chloride a hazardous chemical?

Release time: 2025-08-13


According to the comprehensive analysis of existing regulations and chemical properties, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) is not a legal dangerous goods, but due to its chemical properties, the use and storage should strictly comply with safety specifications. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Legal positioning: not listed as hazardous chemicals

  1. Not included in China's Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals
  2. According to the Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals (2023 edition), polyaluminum chloride is not listed as a hazardous chemical. Its import, export and transportation are managed as ordinary goods, without special filing or dangerous goods transportation qualification.
  3. Classification of international transport
  4. In the transportation of conventional chemical products, PAC is treated as ordinary goods, but packaging damage and moisture should be avoided.

2. Potential risks: Caution should be taken against corrosiveness and environmental impact

Although not dangerous, PAC still has the following risks:

  1.  health hazard 
    • Stimulating: Contact with skin or eyes may cause burning, redness and swelling, inhalation of dust may cause respiratory discomfort.
    • Risk of accidental ingestion: accidental ingestion may lead to oral erosion and gastric bleeding, which requires immediate medical attention.
  2. Environmental risks
    • Excessive residues will pollute the water and destroy the ecological balance.
    • High temperature may release toxic gases (e.g., hydrogen chloride), ventilation is required.
  3. Sources of corrosion
  4. The production material contains hydrochloric acid, so the finished product is weakly acidic and may corrode metal or organic materials.

3. Safe use specifications

To avoid risks, the following measures should be followed during operation:

  1. Personal protection
    • Wear rubber gloves, goggles, dust mask and acid and alkali resistant work clothes.
    • Keep the operating area ventilated to reduce dust inhalation.
  2. Storage and transportation
    • Store in a cool and dry place, avoid direct sunlight, the package is sealed to prevent moisture.
    • Do not mix with strong alkali and flammable materials.
  3.  emergency handling 
    • Skin contact: rinse with water immediately for 15 minutes; Ingestion: drink milk or egg white and seek medical attention.
    • Cover with sand when leaking. Do not wash with water.

IV. Analysis of the focus of dispute

Reasons for contradictory data:

  1. Mix with raw materials
  2. The raw material hydrochloric acid is a corrosive dangerous goods, but the PAC product is stable after polymerization reaction.
  3. Shape differences affect
  4. Solid PAC dust may irritate the respiratory tract, while liquid products need to be corrosion resistant; high purity products (e.g. white PAC) are safer.

Conclusion: Non-hazardous, but "chemicals requiring careful management"

As an efficient water treatment agent, polyaluminum chloride is safe and controllable under compliance with the use. The core risk comes from improper operation rather than its own properties, and the harm can be completely avoided by strict compliance with the protection specifications.