Can you touch pure calcium? The definitive answer on handling this reactive metal
                                
                                
                                •
                                
                                
                        
                                    
                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                While elemental calcium is the lightest of the alkaline earth metals, it is also highly reactive with moisture. This fundamental property is the primary reason why you cannot and should not touch pure calcium metal, as doing so can lead to severe chemical burns.