Southwest Water Innovations LLC logo Southwest Water Innovations Water Pre-Treatment Chemistry
MSDS / Safety Data › Polyacrylamide
Safety Reference · Flocculant

Polyacrylamide (PAM)

Cationic, anionic, and non-ionic grades — general handling and safety reference information.

General reference only — not the official SDS. This page is a general educational summary, not the legally required Safety Data Sheet for a specific manufacturer's product. Request and follow the actual SDS from your supplier before handling, storing, or disposing of this material. You can view our supplier's official MSDS for this product below.

Official Manufacturer MSDS

This is the official Safety Data Sheet provided by our supplier, Gongyi Filter Industry Co., Ltd, for Polyacrylamide (PAM) — covering the cationic, anionic, non-ionic, and amphoteric/zwitterionic grades — revised September 3, 2026.

View Official MSDS (PDF)

Identification

Common Names
Polyacrylamide, PAM (cationic, anionic, non-ionic grades)
Chemical Family
High-molecular-weight synthetic polymer flocculant
CAS No.
9003-05-8 (parent polyacrylamide, per our supplier's official MSDS below); ionic-modified grades (cationic/anionic/amphoteric) are addressed separately in that document — confirm against the SDS for your specific grade.
Appearance
White to off-white granular powder or beads
Used In
Full Kit, Essentials Kit (all three grades)

Hazard Overview

Polyacrylamide as a finished polymer has low acute toxicity, but two hazards are worth calling out specifically:

  • Residual acrylamide monomer: Polyacrylamide is manufactured from acrylamide, a recognized neurotoxin and probable human carcinogen. Finished polymer products typically contain only trace/residual monomer, but dust and solutions should still be handled with skin and inhalation precautions rather than treated as inert.
  • Slip hazard: Wet PAM (spilled solution, or dry powder that gets wet) becomes extremely slippery — a significant physical hazard on floors and equipment, independent of its chemical toxicity.

Dust can irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory tract on contact or inhalation.

First Aid Measures

  • Eye contact: Flush immediately with clean water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
  • Skin contact: Wash thoroughly with water. If gelled polymer is on skin, do not rub — rinse gently until removed.
  • Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention if breathing difficulty or irritation persists.
  • Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth and seek medical attention.

Handling & Storage

Store dry powder in a sealed container away from moisture, since it will begin to hydrate and gel on contact with water or humid air. Avoid generating dust. Clean up any wet PAM promptly — it creates a serious slip hazard on hard floors.

Mix PAM gently over an extended period (see the dosing instructions) — vigorous mixing tears apart the flocs it is meant to form.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • Safety glasses or goggles when weighing, dosing, or mixing dry powder
  • Gloves
  • Dust mask when handling dry powder in a poorly ventilated space
  • Non-slip footwear / immediate cleanup around mixing areas

Spill & Disposal

Dry spills: sweep up carefully without adding water (adding water will turn the powder into a slippery gel). Wet/gelled spills: this becomes extremely slippery — cordon off the area, then remove with a scraper before washing the surface. Dispose of per local regulations; do not discharge concentrated solution directly to storm drains or waterways.