How safe is gallium?

Factual Questions
1

I’ve always wanted to play with gallium since it melts in your mouth and in your hands, and through the wonders of birthday money and ebay I now find myself in a position to get some. There’s one problem, I know nothing about it as far as safety is concerned. Is it safe to hold or is that a bad idea like with mercury? Do I have to scrub my hands raw after holding it or where protective gear? As much as I like the idea of playing with molten metal in my hands it’s definitley not worth poisoning myself over.

2

http://www.acialloys.com/msds/ga.html

3

Darn, there go all my hopes and dreams. Thank you for your helpful and incredibly prompt response Eleusis.

4

How about [url=http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/WO/woods_metal.html]Wood’s metal[/url, which has a mp of 66[sup]o[/sup]C.

Not very toxic but can still be melted with hot water.

I’ll see if I can find a similar alloy without the Cd.

5

Woods metal
Cerrobend

6

Galinstan looks like fun

7

From their safety sheet:

Amalgam formation, eh? I wouldn’t gargle it. :smiley:

"Barkeeper, give me your strongest stuff!" - "Here, this one will dissolve your fillings. Literally."