Product Name: Cashew Nut Shell Liquid
Synonyms: CNSL, Cashew Shell Oil
Chemical Family: Phenolic Lipids
Recommended Use: Industrial Raw Material, Resin Production, Surface Coatings
Supplier: Major chemical distributors and agricultural exporters
Contact for Information: Local supplier provisions and emergency contacts
Emergency Phone Number: Provided by supplier, check packaging
GHS Classification: Skin Corrosion/Irritation Category 1B, Serious Eye Damage Category 1, Acute Toxicity (Oral, Dermal)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, harmful if swallowed, may cause sensitization by skin contact
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye and face protection; avoid breathing fumes or vapors; respond to splashes with immediate washing
Hazards Not Otherwise Classified: Releases hazardous fumes when burned, may cause respiratory irritation
NFPA Ratings: Health: 3, Flammability: 2, Reactivity: 1
Chemical Name: Cashew Nut Shell Liquid
Constituents: Cardol 10-20%, Cardanol 60-70%, Anacardic Acid 15-25%, Other Phenolic Compounds 5-10%
CAS Number: 8007-24-7
Impurities: Small quantities of tannins, free fatty acids
Classification: Complex mixture of organic compounds
Eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses, keep eye wide open and flush for at least 15 minutes, seek immediate medical advice
Skin: Thoroughly wash exposed area with soap and running water, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical attention if burns or irritation persists
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep person at rest in a position comfortable for breathing, provide oxygen or artificial respiration as necessary, seek medical help
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical attention; potential for corrosive damage to gastrointestinal tract
Most Important Symptoms/Effects: Burning, blistering, severe irritation to skin, mucous membranes, and eyes
Notes for Physician: Treat symptomatically and monitor for systemic symptoms, especially after large exposures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide, use water spray to cool containers
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water jet due to risk of spreading product
Special Hazards: Smoke and toxic fumes from burning may include phenolic vapors, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus, protective fire-fighting clothing
Firefighting Instructions: Contain run-off water, cool containers exposed to flames from safe distance, evacuate area if necessary
Personal Precautions: Use appropriate personal protective equipment, avoid direct contact with liquid, prevent inhalation of vapors
Environmental Precautions: Avoid spills reaching drains, waterways, or soil; product has toxic effects in aquatic environments
Clean-up Methods: Contain spilled material with inert absorbent such as sand or earth, place in properly labeled containers for disposal; ventilate area well
Notification Procedures: Notify relevant authorities if environmental contamination occurs or large amounts are released
Handling: Operate with adequate ventilation, avoid splashes, avoid ingestion or skin/eye contact, use mechanical handling for large containers
Hygiene: Wash thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, smoke during use, keep work surfaces clean
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly sealed, properly labeled containers away from heat, direct sunlight, strong acids and oxidizers, recommended storage temperature: below 30°C
Incompatible Materials: Strong bases, strong oxidizing agents, mineral acids
Packaging Materials: Use original container or suitable plastic, avoid metal containers for extended storage
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation to minimize vapors and mists, use closed systems for high volume transfers
Personal Protection: Chemical resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), long sleeve clothing, eye protection (goggles or face shield), respirator (if ventilation is inadequate)
Exposure Limits: No established occupational exposure limit for CNSL, minimize exposure as a phenolic compound
Environmental Controls: Prevent release to the environment; use secondary containment
Other Protective Measures: Ensure eye wash stations and safety showers near work areas
Physical State: Viscous liquid
Color: Dark brown to reddish brown
Odor: Mild phenolic
pH: Acidic, generally <6
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling, >200°C
Melting Point: Not applicable, liquid at room temperature
Flash Point: 180–200°C
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohols, ether, most organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Very low at ambient temperature
Specific Gravity: 0.94–0.98 at 25°C
Partition Coefficient (log Pow): 4.5–6.5 (hydrophobic)
Decomposition Temperature: >250°C
Viscosity: 400–600 mPa·s at 25°C
Chemical Stability: Stable at ambient temperatures under recommended storage conditions
Reactivity: May react with strong oxidizing agents, acids, and bases
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flames, direct sunlight, contact with incompatible substances
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide, phenols, carbon dioxide under fire conditions
Polymerization: No hazardous polymerization expected
Acute Toxicity (Oral, Dermal): Toxic if swallowed, corrosive to skin and eyes; LD50 (oral, rat): 5,000 mg/kg (approximate), LD50 (dermal, rabbit): 3,000 mg/kg (approximate)
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact
Symptoms: Skin blistering and severe irritation, persistent eye pain and damage, abdominal pain if ingested
Chronic Effects: May cause dermatitis, skin sensitization after repeated contact
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen by OSHA, IARC, NTP
Mutagenicity: Not expected under normal handling
Reproductive Toxicity: Data insufficient for classification
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms due to phenolic content, potential for bioaccumulation
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish, 96h): 2–10 mg/L depending on species
Persistence and Degradability: Partially biodegradable, slow in soil and aquatic environments
Bioaccumulation: Significant based on high log Pow
Mobility in Soil: Low, due to hydrophobicity
Other Adverse Effects: Avoid release to water bodies, can impact aquatic ecosystems
Disposal Methods: Incinerate in approved facility, do not landfill or discharge to surface water, follow local regulations
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly and send for specialized disposal or recycling if possible
Special Precautions: Do not attempt disposal without proper protective equipment
Waste Code: Check local, regional, and national regulations for specific codes
UN Number: 3082 (for Environmental Hazardous Substances, liquid, n.o.s.)
UN Proper Shipping Name: Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Liquid, n.o.s. (Cashew Nut Shell Liquid)
Transport Hazard Class: 9 (Miscellaneous hazardous materials)
Packing Group: III
Environmental Hazards: Yes, marine pollutant
Special Transport Precautions: Protect from physical damage, secure containers, follow label and hazard markings
Shipping Labels Required: ‘Environmentally Hazardous Substance’, miscellaneous hazard
Global Inventory Status: Listed or pending in major inventories (TSCA, EINECS, DSL, AICS)
OSHA Regulations: Regulated as hazardous due to skin and eye effects
WHMIS Classification (Canada): D2B (Toxic), E (Corrosive Material)
REACH Status (EU): Exempt as a natural substance, but workplace controls apply
Additional Requirements: Employers must train and inform personnel, maintain safety data, comply with spill reporting standards
Hazard Pictograms: Corrosive, Environmentally Hazardous, Exclamation Mark
Other Regulations: Subject to EPA registration for large scale operations or discharge