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Substance Name: Berberine Hydrochloride
Chemical Formula: C20H18ClNO4
Common Uses: Found in supplements, herbal medicine, lab reagents
Appearance: Yellow to yellow-orange crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless or faint herbal scent
CAS Number: 633-65-8
Physical Hazards: Powder form poses dust inhalation risk, potential irritant
Health Hazards: May cause skin and eye irritation, possible gastrointestinal discomfort on ingestion. Some studies suggest liver enzyme elevation with high exposure
Symbol/Pictogram: Exclamation mark suggests caution
Signal Word: Warning
Acute Health Effects: Potential for mucous membrane and respiratory tract irritation. Swallowing may trigger abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headache
Chronic Health Effects: Prolonged contact may affect liver function, albeit rarely in occupational exposure
Main Ingredient: Berberine Hydrochloride (typically above 97% purity in supplement-grade material)
Impurities: Trace alkaloids from botanical extraction, low levels of residual solvents can be present if not carefully purified
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention if respiratory symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin under running water, wash with soap if irritation appears
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes, consult medical advice if irritation develops
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, seek medical guidance if any adverse symptoms occur
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Specific Fire Hazards: Dust can form an explosive mixture in air, so proper ventilation matters during large spills or fires
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid inhaling combustion products
Decomposition Products: Combustion may produce oxides of carbon and nitrogen, plus hydrochloric acid fumes which can irritate the lungs
Personal Protection: Gloves, eye protection, dust mask can help guard against contact and inhalation
Spill Cleanup: Sweep up material carefully without creating dust clouds, ventilate surrounding area, place residue in sealed container for disposal
Environmental Precautions: Avoid discharge to drains as high concentrations could impact aquatic systems, always collect waste for proper disposal
Safe Handling: Keep powder contained, avoid breathing dust, wash hands thoroughly after use, avoid eating or drinking while handling
Storage Conditions: Store in a tightly sealed container, place in cool, dry, and well-ventilated spot shielded from light and excessive moisture
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers can react unfavorably, avoid contact with substances like concentrated acids
Exposure Limits: No occupational exposure limits set for berberine hydrochloride, but general nuisance dust standards may apply
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation benefits work zones where dust may form
Personal Protective Equipment: Nitrile gloves, laboratory coats, safety goggles, and filtered masks help limit exposure, especially during weighing or transferring powder forms
Form: Fine crystalline powder
Color: Yellow or yellow-orange
Melting Point: Estimated at approximately 200°C
Solubility: Soluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol
pH: Slightly acidic when dissolved
Odor: Nearly odorless
Boiling Point: Not applicable, decomposes well below boiling
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal laboratory and storage conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, elevated heat, direct sunlight can degrade potency
Reactive With: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids
Decomposition Hazards: Heating above decomposition can produce irritating and toxic fumes, including hydrogen chloride and nitrogen oxides
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, and eye contact, accidental ingestion
Short-Term Effects: Can irritate respiratory tract, skin, and eyes, and possibly upset stomach if ingested
Long-Term Effects: Certain animal studies suggest potential impacts on liver, blood pressure, or gastrointestinal lining at high doses, usually above routine occupational exposures
Carcinogenic Status: Not classified as a known carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Reproductive Toxicity: Some published research suggests interaction with uterine muscle, so caution advised in reproductive age females
Environmental Fate: Berberine hydrochloride shows low volatility, but aquatic exposure raises concerns for toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
Persistence: Biodegradable to an extent, but chronic exposure in waterways could disrupt sensitive aquatic species
Bioaccumulation: No significant data suggest bioaccumulation, but safe disposal and release minimization prevent unintended consequences
Waste Disposal: Treat lab or industrial waste containing berberine hydrochloride as chemical waste, qualified waste handlers should manage large quantities
Small Amounts: Can generally be disposed of in accordance with local rules for non-hazardous organic chemicals, always avoid sewer release
Container Disposal: Completely emptied containers should be rinsed and recycled if possible, or incinerated per local disposal policies
UN Number: Not classified as a dangerous good by most transport regulations
Proper Shipping Name: Berberine Hydrochloride
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated under standard US DOT, ADR, IMDG, or IATA systems for land, sea, or air
Packing: Use sealed, clearly labeled containers to avoid accidental spills during transit
Global Inventories: Included in key chemical inventories for the US (TSCA), the EU (REACH), and others, with use often restricted to research, supplement, or pharmaceutical contexts
Workplace Safety: Not specifically regulated, but falls under general chemical safety guidelines for workplace exposure, personal protective equipment, and emergency planning
Consumer Use: Over-the-counter status in supplements varies by country; always check local guidelines before distribution or sale
