Calcium chloride is derived from hydrochloric acid, of which it is a salt, and industrially it is a waste product of the Solvay process, thus rather cheap with low toxicity.

It appears as a white powder soluble in water, methanol, poorly soluble in ethyl acetate.

Food

Ingredient included in the list of European food additives as E509. It is added in dairy and milk processing and to improve clot formation. It is used as a firming agent and to extend the shelf life of vegetables. 

Medical

Used in medical and surgical intensive care units for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 

Cosmetics

Cosmetic astringent. This ingredient exerts a direct effect on the skin by tightening dilated pores by contracting stratum corneum cells and removing superfluous oil.

Viscosity control agent. It controls and adapts viscosity to the required level for optimal chemical and physical stability of the product and dosage in gels, suspensions, emulsions, solutions. 

Other uses

• Non-toxic drying material
• Mortar accelerator
• Road maintenance: ice melting
• Chemistry: production of calcium salts
• Concrete: acceleration of strength development
• Ecology: removal of fluorides, phosphates, heavy metals and hydrocarbon residues from waste water
• Paper: improves dye retention, de-inking
• Oil: Additive to increase fluid density, absorbs water. drilling oil and gas wells

The most relevant studies on this ingredient have been selected with a summary of their contents:

Calcium chloride studies

• Molecular formula  CaCl₂
• Molecular weight  110.98
• CAS  10043-52-4
• UNII    OFM21057LP
• EC Number   233-140-8
• DSSTox ID  DTXSID5020235
• IUPAC  calcium;dichloride
• InChl=1S/Ca.2ClH/h;2*1H/q+2;;/p-2
• InChl Key      UXVMQQNJUSDDNG-UHFFFAOYSA-L
• SMILES  [Cl-].[Cl-].[Ca+2]
• MDL number  MFCD00010903
• PubChem Substance ID    329775071
• ChEBI  3312
• RTECS  EV9800000
• NCI    C83574
• Nikkaji    J43.724G
• NACRES  NA.21

Synonyms:

• Chloro Calcium
• Calcosan
• Caltac
• Dowflake
• Jarcal
• Liquical