SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE
Sodium metaphosphate
SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE is listed in the EU CosIng inventory, but no direct annex records are linked on this page yet.
Regulatory evidence by market
No rule for this ingredient has been imported for any of the 13 markets tracked here.
That describes this inventory, not the law. No imported rule is not evidence that an ingredient is permitted: a rule may exist under another name or identifier, or in a dataset not yet imported here.
Chemical identity and properties
Hexasodium hexametaphosphate
The CIR Expert Panel concluded that the following 31 ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics as described in this safety assessment, when formulated to be non-irritating...Sodium Hexametaphosphate... — Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- IUPAC name
- hexasodium;2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaoxido-1,3,5,7,9,11-hexaoxa-2lambda5,4lambda5,6lambda5,8lambda5,10lambda5,12lambda5-hexaphosphacyclododecane 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaoxide
- Molecular formula
- Na6O18P6
- Molecular weight
- 611.77 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 611.6896508 Da
- Topological polar surface area
- 296.0 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 0
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 18
- Covalent units
- 7
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID1047522
Evidence from additional scientific databases
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- Physical Description: Polymeric sodium metaphosphates: Clear hygroscopic solid; Soluble in water; [HSDB] White odorless granules; [MSDSonline] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Solubility: CLEAR, HYGROSCOPIC GLASS; MP 628 °C; SOL IN WATER, BUT DISSOLVES SLOWLY; DEPOLYMERIZES IN AQ SOLN TO FORM SODIUM TRIMETAPHOSPHATE & SODIUM ORTHOPHOSPHATES. /POLYMERIC SODIUM METAPHOSPHATES/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: SOL IN WATER; INSOL IN ORG SOLVENTS. /SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE DETERGENTS/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 100% (19 of 19) of all reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: Not Classified; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria by 19 of 19 companies. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 19 reports by companies from 1 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 19 of 19 reports by companies.; There are 0 notifications provided by 0 of 19 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Conclusion: The CIR Expert Panel concluded that the following 31 ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics as described in this safety assessment, when formulated to be non-irritating...Sodium Hexametaphosphate... Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Finding(s): Safe for use in cosmetics, with qualifications Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Environmental Bioconcentration: A comprehensive examination of metal levels at various trophic levels within an undisturbed Precambrian Shield lake ecosystem was made. Concn of 21 naturally occurring elements including phosphorus were measured in sediments, clams, fish, birds, and mammals. Mercury was the only element to exhibit biomagnification. /Phosphorus/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Link: CIR ingredient: Sodium Hexametaphosphate Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Sources/Uses: Used in building and water treatment (60%), food processing (15%), and miscellaneous (25%); Used in photographic developing, in dairy substitutes in pudding, as a retarder in dental alginate impression materials, and as a thinner for petroleum drilling fluids; [HSDB] At low concentrations, it inhibits steel corrosion and the formation of scale-forming compounds (calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate); [Hawley] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Petroleum Production and Refining [Category: Industry]; Photographic Processing [Category: Other] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Uses: Improves efficiency of the developing process in photographic work. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Used as a dairy substitute in milk-based pudding. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Dentistry: Retarder in alginate impression materials. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Drilling mud thinner in petroleum drilling fluids. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Softening water without precipitate formation, as in dyeing, laundering, textile processing, and washing operations; corrosion inhibitor in de-icing salt preparations; frozen desserts; pretanning hides in the manufacture of leather; dispersing clays and pigments; threshold treatment for scale; and corrosion prevention. /Calgon/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record
Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.
Additional source coverage and match status
| Source | Result | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| EMBL-EBI ChEBI | No exact record | 2026-08-31 |
| NIH PubChem PUG-View | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Sodium Metaphosphate
- Molecular formula
- NaO3P
- Molecular weight
- 101.962 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 101.94827514 Da
- Topological polar surface area
- 57.2 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 0
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 3
- Covalent units
- 2
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID6040244
Evidence from additional scientific databases
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- Melting Point: 628 °C Source: PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
- Physical Description: Large Crystals; Dry Powder Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Physical Description: White solid, practically insoluble in water; [Merck Index] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Solubility: White powder. Practically insol in water and in aq solns of pyrophosphates and hexametaphosphates. Sol in mineral acids. Does not form complexes with Fe(II), Fe(III), U(IV) salts. /Maddrell's salt (polymeric sodium metaphosphate)/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: Sol in water (pH adjusted to 8-8.6). Insol in organic solvents. Possess dispersing and deflocculating properties, coagulate albumins, and inhibit the crystallinization of slightly sol compds such as calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate. /Glassy sodium metaphosphate; Graham's salt/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 90.5% (526 of 581) of all reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: Not Classified; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria by 526 of 581 companies (only 9.5% companies provided GHS information). For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 581 reports by companies from 8 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 526 of 581 reports by companies.; There are 6 notifications provided by 55 of 581 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Signal: Warning Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H315 (100%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H319 (100%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H335 (97.6%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P264, P264+P265, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P321, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 41 reports by companies from 4 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 96.2% (25 of 26) of all reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: Not Classified; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria by 25 of 26 companies (only 3.8% companies provided GHS information). For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 26 reports by companies from 3 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 25 of 26 reports by companies.; There is 1 notification provided by 1 of 26 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Conclusion: The CIR Expert Panel concluded that the following 31 ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics as described in this safety assessment, when formulated to be non-irritating...Sodium Metaphosphate... Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Finding(s): Safe for use in cosmetics, with qualifications Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Consumer Uses: Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Industry Uses: Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Binder Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Link: CIR ingredient: Sodium Metaphosphate Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- Sources/Uses: Used in toothpaste and dentifrices (abrasive), detergents, water softeners, food additives (sequestrant and emulsifier), and textile processing; [HSDB] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Textiles (Fiber & Fabric Manufacturing) [Category: Industry] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Uses: Used in toothpaste formulations as an abrasive. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Dental polishing agents, detergent builders, water softeners, sequestrants, emulsifiers, food additives, textile processing, laundering. /Sodium metaphosphate/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: In dentifrices, polishing agents, abrasive detergents. /Maddrell's salt (polymeric sodim metaphosphate)/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Water softeners and detergents. For leather tanning, dyeing, laundry work, textile processing; for the "threshold treatment" of softening industrial water supplies. /Glassy sodium metaphosphate; Graham's salt/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record
Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.
Additional source coverage and match status
| Source | Result | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| EMBL-EBI ChEBI | No exact record | 2026-08-31 |
| NIH PubChem PUG-View | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Inventory details for SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE
INCI name
SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE
Description
Sodium metaphosphate
Record provenance
- Inventory reference
- 79493
- Imported identity
- SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE
- Source update
- 15/10/2010
Annex records for SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE
Key data
- ANTICORROSIVE
- Preventing and or inhibiting the corrosion of the packaging material.
- CHELATING
- Forming complexes with metal ions which could affect the stability and/or appearance of cosmetics.
- FRAGRANCE
- Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.
Official EU ingredient-name evidence
The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.
Related inventory evidence
Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions
Additional official and scientific sources
11 external databases to check this identity in
Each link searches that source for this identity. What each source is, and its legal weight
How SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE appears in the CosIng inventory
The CosIng inventory lists SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 0 annex records. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex records show where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.
SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE is also tagged with 3 cosmetic functions in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.
Frequently asked questions
Source note for SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE
This page reproduces the CosIng inventory entry for SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials and shows linked identifiers even when no direct annex match is currently attached.
Use this inventory page to research SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.
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