Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion The safety of Gallium?

Hello, I am wondering if there are any chemists, chemistry teachers, or others that could help me with a safety question about Gallium. After speaking with my son who was speaking with a classmate about Gallium I am considering buying some to use for science demos. My ds's classmate went to a summer camp this past summer were the teacher had some Gallium and was melting it in his hand (m.p. around 85.6 F), and I think students were allowed to also melt it as far as I can tell. I watched the Ga on the Nottingham periodic tables site, http://periodicvideos.com/videos/031.htm, and some other videos and it seemed safe. Then looking at the Roto Metals site ( a site were you can buy Gallium, http://www.rotometals.com/ it seems ok until you go and read the MSDS. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any info

I've seen the gallium melting point trick done MANY times.

It is safe if done inside of a thin-walled glass container, fwiw-- because there is no direct skin contact.

I've used it that way in Gen Chem as a 'pass-around' in an ampoule while I demo'ed something else at the front of the room with a burner, etc.

Does that help?

I wouldn't use it unsealed. No real reason to, if you think about it-- the real point is the melting point, and you can do that with it sealed inside glass.

Thank you for your info, and yes it does help.