# How safe is gallium? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 5, 2004, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-is-gallium/227607 "2004-02-05T03:01:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mundo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mundo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundo)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2004, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-is-gallium/227607/1 "2004-02-05T03:01:28Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2004, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-is-gallium/227607/2 "2004-02-05T03:05:43Z")
> [@](#): > > ``` > ****SECTION 3 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION**** > > EMERGENCY OVERVIEW > > ``` > > Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.Moisture > sensitive.The toxicological properties of this material have not been > fully investigated. > > Potential Health Effects > Eye: > Causes eye irritation. > Skin: > Causes skin irritation. May be harmful if absorbed through the skin. > The toxicological properties of this material have not been fully > investigated. May cause contact dermatitis. > Ingestion: > May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and > diarrhea. The toxicological properties of this substance have not > been fully investigated. May be harmful if swallowed. > Inhalation: > Causes respiratory tract irritation. The toxicological properties of > this substance have not been fully investigated. May be harmful if > inhaled. > Chronic: > May cause bone marrow abnormalities with damage to blood forming > tissues. Administration of gallium to humans has caused metallic > taste, skin rashes, and bone marrow depression. [http://www.acialloys.com/msds/ga.html](http://www.acialloys.com/msds/ga.html) ---
**Author:** ![Mundo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mundo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundo)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2004, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-is-gallium/227607/3 "2004-02-05T03:13:20Z")
Darn, there go all my hopes and dreams. Thank you for your helpful and incredibly prompt response Eleusis. ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2004, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-is-gallium/227607/4 "2004-02-05T06:36:00Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2004, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-is-gallium/227607/5 "2004-02-05T06:41:51Z")
[Woods metal](http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/WO/woods_metal.html) [Cerrobend](http://www.grantmfg.com/Data%20Sheets/158.html) ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2004, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-is-gallium/227607/6 "2004-02-05T07:17:03Z")
[Galinstan looks like fun](http://www.geratherm.com/en/technologie_galinstan) ---
**Author:** ![Dick\_Tater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b77776/32.png) [@Dick\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dick_Tater)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2004, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-is-gallium/227607/7 "2004-02-05T11:27:46Z")
> [@Urban Ranger](#): > > [Galinstan looks like fun](http://www.geratherm.com/en/technologie_galinstan) From their safety sheet: > [@](#): > > Substances to be avoided: Chlorine, bromine, metals, light metal alloys, aluminium (amalgam formation) Amalgam formation, eh? I wouldn’t gargle it. 😃 **"Barkeeper, give me your strongest stuff!" - "Here, this one will dissolve your fillings. Literally."**