Zinc dust storage and handling: a buyer's checklist.

Zinc dust does not store like an inert pigment. Two failure modes account for most of the on-site incidents we see: moisture ingress, which slowly oxidizes the metallic fraction, and dust accumulation, which can ignite at very fine particle sizes. Both are easy to prevent if you set up storage correctly.

Receiving

• Inspect bag or drum integrity on arrival. Punctured packaging means moisture exposure.
• Check the lot CoA against the labelled lot. They should match, every time.
• Move shipment to climate-controlled storage within 24 hours.

Storage

• Cool, dry, well-ventilated space. Temperature ideally 5 to 30 °C, relative humidity below 60%.
• Pallets off the floor; never stack drums more than two high without rated rack.
• Keep away from acids, water, oxidizers and ignition sources.

Handling

• Use grounded equipment when transferring. Static discharge is the most common ignition vector.
• Provide local exhaust ventilation at decanting stations. Fine dust airborne is the risk.
• Operators should wear N95-or-better respirators, eye protection and grounded footwear.