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Substance Name: Actinomycin
Chemical Family: Polypeptide antibiotic
Synonyms: Dactinomycin, Actinomycin D
Appearance: Yellow to orange-red powder, faint odor
Recommended Use: Laboratory research, cancer chemotherapy
Chemical Formula: C62H86N12O16
CAS Number: 50-76-0
Hazard Symbols: Toxic (T), Health Hazard
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Effects: Toxic if swallowed or inhaled, can cause severe irritation, organ damage
Chronic Effects: Increased risk of cancer, mutagenic potential
NFPA Ratings: Health 3, Flammability 1, Reactivity 1
Warning: Exposure comes with risks including bone marrow suppression and other critical adverse effects.
Main Ingredient: Actinomycin (purity typically above 95%)
Other Components: Residual water, minor byproducts from manufacturing process
Concentration: Pure or formulated depending on supplier, usually not mixed with hazardous additives in bulk research supply
Molecular Weight: 1255.42 g/mol
Inhalation: Move to fresh air right away, seek medical attention if you notice coughing, breathing difficulties, or dizziness
Skin Contact: Wash exposed skin generously with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, medical attention for rash or persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for several minutes, seek medical advice promptly if discomfort persists
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth, immediate medical attention is crucial
Note to Responders: Tell medical staff what substance was involved to ensure most effective treatment.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam
Unsuitable Media: Avoid full water jets; they may spread contamination
Specific Hazards: Thermal decomposition can spark release of toxic fumes, such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide
Protective Equipment: Full protective clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus for responders
Additional Advice: Prevent water runoff from entering sewers or waterways.
Personal Protection: Use gloves, lab coat, and eye protection; respiratory protection is a must in cases of dust or aerosol
Spill Cleanup: Carefully collect up using damp cloth or HEPA filter vacuum, seal waste in leak-proof containers
Environmental Precautions: Do not allow entry into drains, watercourses, or soil, mindful containment is key
Decontamination: Wash surfaces with plenty of water and detergent, dispose of cleaning materials as hazardous waste.
Handling Advice: Stick to well-ventilated areas, avoid direct skin or eye contact, never pipette by mouth, use proper engineering controls
Safe Storage: Keep in tightly closed container, store away from incompatible chemicals, secure storage at cold temperature (typically 2-8°C), shield from light
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, keep eating and drinking out of work area, regular cleaning of surfaces recommended
Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hood, employ local exhaust ventilation
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear impermeable gloves (nitrile or better), lab coat or coveralls, safety goggles, certified respirator if dust or aerosols form
Exposure Limits: No official occupational exposure limit, but even tiny amounts demand strict containment due to cytotoxicity
Monitoring: Routine workplace contamination monitoring offers early warning for unsafe practices.
Appearance: Yellow to orange-red crystalline powder
Odor: Faint, chemical
pH: Neutral to slightly acidic in aqueous solution
Melting Point: Decomposes above 240°C
Solubility: Sparingly soluble in water, soluble in methanol, chloroform, DMSO
Vapor Pressure: Not significant at room temperature
Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Chemical Stability: Stays stable in cool, dry, light-protected environment
Reactivity: Doesn’t react violently with common substances
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids
Decomposition Byproducts: Toxic gases, including nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, at elevated temperature or with fire
Polymerization: Doesn’t occur under normal lab conditions
Acute Toxicity: Highly toxic, oral LD50 in rodents usually under 1 mg/kg
Chronic Effects: Potential for DNA damage, confirmed animal carcinogen
Effects of Exposure: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, immunosuppression, organ toxicity (especially kidney and liver), damage to reproductive system
Special Risk Groups: Pregnant women, those with immune system compromise
Symptoms: In severe cases, exposure leads to rapid onset of systemic toxicity, often fatal without prompt intervention.
Environmental Impact: Harmful to aquatic organisms, knock-on effects for food chains in release scenarios
Persistence: Not rapidly biodegradable
Mobility: Potential for leaching in water and soil if released
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely, but toxicity at trace levels means every drop matters
Toxicity to Other Organisms: High; even minor contamination of waterways creates risks for fish and microflora.
Waste Classification: Hazardous chemical waste
Disposal Methods: Incineration at facilities equipped for cytotoxic waste, never down the sink or regular trash
Contaminated Packaging: Treat as full-strength hazardous substance, label and hand over to licensed chemical waste service
Legal Obligations: Comply with regional and national hazardous waste rules; careless disposal can mean legal action and real harm.
Shipping Names: Medical or research cytotoxic substances
Transport Hazard Class: Toxic substances (class 6.1 by international rules)
Packaging Group: Group II (medium danger)
Environmental Restrictions: Strongly discouraged from air or bulk sea freight without strict containment, spills have both human and environmental implications
Accident Response: Detailed emergency plans expected for every leg of the trip, documentation follows shipment through entire journey.
Relevant Laws: Listed as hazardous material in many jurisdictions; strict reporting and handling regulations for research and clinical use
Worker Protection: Required workplace training on cytotoxic agents, detailed recordkeeping for quantities, usage, and disposal
Community Right-to-Know: Laws often mandate data sheets and clear hazard signage wherever handled
Import and Export: Almost always flagged; extra paperwork likely for international transfers
Research Restrictions: Often limited to licensed or certified institutions, with unannounced inspections possible.
