Recyc PHP's research on SAP safety :
According to various material safety data sheets (documents created by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
that list potential hazards of chemicals in great detail), sodium polyacrylate is totally safe.
We can also know more through the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) documents like this:
Direct contact with skin
Sodium polyacrylate itself is not irritating to the skin. As a polymer, it sticks together in long chains that are way too large to be absorbed through the skin.
But some kind of sodium polyacrylate is mixed up with small amounts of acrylic acid, a leftover from the manufacturing process.
In theory, acrylic acid in large doses could be harmful to a baby’s skin. But according to a 2009 report in the
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, there isn’t nearly enough acrylic acid in disposable diapers to raise concern.
(The study was funded by Procter & Gamble, a major manufacturer of diapers.) Another side, sodium polyacrylate supplier should
test the acrylic acid value and make sure it is less than 300 PPM (part per million).
So, the conclusion is …
Sodium polyacrylate is safe — non-toxic and free from any major safety risks.
It can pose certain dangers if not handled properly. But please be sure to take notes of the following hazards and
take precautions to avoid any injury or mishaps when handling sodium polyacrylate.
If the powder is inhaled, it can irritate the lungs–but that’s not generally a concern.
When it comes in contact with a large amount of spilled water in an area, it can cause the area to become very slippery.
If it enters sewer or drainage systems in large quantities, it can cause serious clogging and should be dealt with immediately.
Is the absorbing ingredient a hazardous waste
No. Sodium polyacrylate formula is [−CH2−CH(CO2Na)−]n and does not contain any contaminant listed in
Is it flammable?
Here is the definition in Wikipedia
" Flammability is the ease with which a combustible substance
can be ignited, causing fire or combustion or even an explosion. The degree of difficulty required to cause the combustion of a substance
is quantified through fire testing. Internationally, a variety of test protocols exist to quantify flammability.
The ratings achieved are used in building codes, insurance requirements, fire codes and other regulations governing the use of building
materials as well as the storage and handling of highly flammable substances inside and outside of structures and in surface and air transportation."
With this definition our material is not flammable. Even with a propane torch we cannot ignite the material