Magnesium Stearate USP

1. Product Identification

Synonyms: Stearic acid, magnesium salt; octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt
CAS No.: 557-04-0
Molecular Weight: 591.2
Chemical Formula: Mg(C18H35O2)2

2. Composition/Information on Ingredients

  Ingredient                                CAS No         Percent        Hazardous                                  

  ---------------------------------------   ------------   ------------   ---------   

  Magnesium stearate                        557-04-0           100%          NO                                                                

3. Hazards Identification

Emergency Overview 
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WARNING! MAY FORM COMBUSTIBLE DUST CONCENTRATIONS IN AIR. 

SAF-T-DATA^(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
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Health Rating: 1 - Slight
Flammability Rating: 2 - Moderate
Reactivity Rating: 1 - Slight
Contact Rating: 1 - Slight
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES
Storage Color Code: Green (General Storage)
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Potential Health Effects 
----------------------------------
Inhalation: Symptoms from excessive inhalation of dust may include coughing and difficult breathing.
Ingestion: Low level of toxicity by ingestion.
Skin Contact: No information found. Not expected to be a hazard.
Eye Contact: May cause mechanical irritation.
Chronic Exposure: Grossly excessive and chronic inhalation of the dust may cause a progressive chemical pneumonitis, cyanosis, and pulmonary edema.

Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: 
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders, impaired respiratory function, or a history of pulmonary disease should not be exposed to dusts.

4. First Aid Measures

Inhalation: 
Remove to fresh air. Get medical attention for any breathing difficulty.
Ingestion: 
Give several glasses of water to drink to dilute. If large amounts were swallowed, get medical advice.
Skin Contact: 
Wash exposed area with soap and water. Get medical advice if irritation develops.
Eye Contact: 
Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting upper and lower eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention if irritation persists.

5. Fire Fighting Measures

Fire: 
As with most organic solids, fire is possible at elevated temperatures or by contact with an ignition source.
Explosion: 
Fine dust dispersed in air in sufficient concentrations, and in the presence of an ignition source is a potential dust explosion hazard. Max Explosion Pressure (bar): 8.8 Max Rate of Pressure Rise (bar/s): 934 Kst Value (bar.m/s): 254 Minimum Explosible Concentration (g/m3): 20-30 Minimum Ignition Energy (mJ): 50-100 Minimum Ignition Temperature-Dust Cloud (C): 440-460 Minimum Ignition Temperature-Dust Layer (C): 380-390 Limiting Oxygen Concentration (LOC %): 12-13
Fire Extinguishing Media: 
Water spray, dry chemical, alcohol foam, or carbon dioxide. Water or foam may cause frothing.
Special Information: 
In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. Pressure from the extinguishing media may cause severe dusting. Melted fatty acid can give "grease" type fire.

6. Accidental Release Measures

Remove all sources of ignition. Ventilate area of leak or spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8. Spills: Clean up spills in a manner that does not disperse dust into the air. Use non-sparking tools and equipment. Reduce airborne dust and prevent scattering by moistening with water. Pick up spill for recovery or disposal and place in a closed container.

7. Handling and Storage

Keep in a well closed container stored under cold to warm conditions, 2 to 40 C, (36 to 104F). Protect against physical damage. Avoid dust formation and control ignition sources. Employ grounding, venting and explosion relief provisions in accord with accepted engineering practices in any process capable of generating dust and/or static electricity. Empty only into inert or non-flammable atmosphere. Emptying contents into a non-inert atmosphere where flammable vapors may be present could cause a flash fire or explosion due to electrostatic discharge. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.

8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Airborne Exposure Limits: 
-OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
15 mg/m3 total dust, 5 mg/m3 respirable fraction for nuisance dusts.
-ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV):
10 mg/m3 total dust for stearates (does not include stearates of toxic metals) A4 - Not classifiable as a Human Carcinogen.
Ventilation System: 
A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee exposures below the Airborne Exposure Limits. Local exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source, preventing dispersion of it into the general work area. Please refer to the ACGIH document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practices, most recent edition, for details.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved): 
If the exposure limit is exceeded and engineering controls are not feasible, a half facepiece particulate respirator (NIOSH type N95 or better filters) may be worn for up to ten times the exposure limit or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest.. A full-face piece particulate respirator (NIOSH type N100 filters) may be worn up to 50 times the exposure limit, or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency, or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. If oil particles (e.g. lubricants, cutting fluids, glycerine, etc.) are present, use a NIOSH type R or P filter. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are not known, use a full-facepiece positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Skin Protection: Gloves and lab coat, apron or coveralls.
Eye Protection: Use chemical safety goggles. Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-drench facilities in work area.

9. Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Fine white to yellow-white powder.
Odor: Slight odor of fatty acid.
Solubility: Insoluble in water, ether; soluble in hot alcohol.
Specific Gravity: 1.03
pH: No information found.
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F): 0
Boiling Point: No information found.
Melting Point: 150 - 170C (302 - 338F)
Vapor Density (Air=1): Not applicable.
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg): Not applicable.
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1): Not applicable.

10. Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Burning may produce carbon monoxide and magnesium oxide.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers. Acids which break up the salts.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flame, ignition sources, dusting and incompatibles.

11. Toxicological Information

No LD50/LC50 information found relating to normal routes of occupational exposure.

  --------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------

                                         ---NTP Carcinogen---

  Ingredient                             Known    Anticipated    IARC Category

  ------------------------------------   -----    -----------    -------------

  Magnesium stearate (557-04-0)           No          No            None

12. Ecological Information

Environmental Fate: No information found.
Environmental Toxicity: No information found.

13. Disposal Considerations

Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be managed in an appropriate and approved waste disposal facility. Processing, use or contamination of this product may change the waste management options. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations. Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.

14. Transport Information

IATA: NOT RESTRICTED TO IATA DGR ACCORDING TO SPECIAL PROVISION A123

IMO:NOT RESTRICTED TO IMDG CODE ACCORDING TO SPECIAL  PROVISION 304

15. Regulatory Information

  --------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------

  Ingredient                                       TSCA  EC   Japan  Australia

  -----------------------------------------------  ----  ---  -----  ---------

  Magnesium stearate (557-04-0)                     Yes  Yes   Yes      Yes                                      

  --------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------

                                                          --Canada--

  Ingredient                                       Korea  DSL   NDSL  Phil.

  -----------------------------------------------  -----  ---   ----  -----

  Magnesium stearate (557-04-0)                     Yes   Yes   No     Yes          

  --------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------

                                             -SARA 302-    ------SARA 313------

  Ingredient                                 RQ    TPQ     List  Chemical Catg.

  -----------------------------------------  ---   -----   ----  --------------

  Magnesium stearate (557-04-0)              No    No      No         No

  --------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------

                                                        -RCRA-    -TSCA-

  Ingredient                                 CERCLA     261.33     8(d)

  -----------------------------------------  ------     ------    ------

  Magnesium stearate (557-04-0)              No         No         No        

Chemical Weapons Convention:  No      

TSCA 12(b):                   No   

CDTA:                         No

SARA 311/312:  Acute:         No      

Chronic:                      No

Fire:                         Yes

Pressure:                     No

Reactivity:                   No          (Pure / Solid)

Australian Hazchem Code:     None allocated.
Poison Schedule:              None allocated.
WHMIS: 
This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains all of the information required by the CPR.

16. Other Information

NFPA Ratings: Health: 0 Flammability: 1 Reactivity: 0 
Label Hazard Warning: 
WARNING! MAY FORM COMBUSTIBLE DUST CONCENTRATIONS IN AIR.
Label Precautions: 
Store in a tightly closed container.
Avoid dust cloud in presence of an ignition source.
Maintain adequate ventilation.
As part of good industrial and personal hygiene and safety procedure, avoid all unnecessary exposure to the chemical substance and ensure prompt removal from skin, eyes and clothing.
Label First Aid: 
Not applicable.
Product Use: 
This product has diverse use in chemical manufacturing and processing.
Revision Information: 
MSDS Section(s) changed since last revision of document include: 3, 5.