Page 220 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

CALCIUM SULFATE

Words to Know

DESICCANT A material that removes water from simple beginning chemicals, or
from other substances. reactants.
SYNTHESIS A chemical reaction in which
some desired chemical product is made

• In the production of polishing powders;
• As a paint pigment (white); and
• In a variety of metallurgical processes, such as the
conversion of zinc minerals to zinc metal.
Although nontoxic, calcium sulfate can irritate the
respiratory tract if inhaled. It may cause symptoms such as
coughing, shortness of breath, and nosebleeds. The compound
can also irritate the skin and eyes, causing redness and pain.
Ingestion of the compound can cause stomach pains, nausea,
and vomiting.

FOR FUR THER INFO RMAT ION
‘‘A Brief History of Plaster and Gypsum.’’ Association of Lifecas
ters International.
http://www.artmolds.com/ali/history_plaster.html (accessed on
December 10, 2005).
‘‘Calcium Sulfate.’’ National Organic Program. Agricultural Market
ing Service.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NationalList/TAPReviews/CaSO4.
pdf (accessed on December 10, 2005).
‘‘Calcium Sulfate, Anhydrous, Powder.’’ J. T. Baker.
http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/c0497.htm (accessed
on December 10, 2005).
Dontsova, Katerina, et al. ‘‘Gypsum for Agricultural Use in Ohio
Sources and Quality of Available Products.’’ Ohio State Uni
versity Extension Fact Sheet.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/anr fact/0020.html(accessedonDecember
10,2005).
‘‘Gypsum Statistics and Information.’’ U.S. Geological Survey.
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/gypsum/
(accessed on December 10, 2005).

CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS 169