© 2026 Sinochem Nanjing Corporation,
All Right Reserved
Product Name: Crude Oil
Chemical Family: Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Synonyms: Petroleum, Sweet Crude, Sour Crude
Recommended Use: Raw material for refining into fuels and other products
Manufacturer: Various petroleum producers worldwide
Emergency Phone: Provided by producer; local emergency services for spills or health events
Contact Person: Safety Officer, Environment Health and Safety department of supplying company
CAS Number: 8002-05-9
Physical Hazards: Flammable liquid and vapor, risk of explosion if not handled with care
Health Hazards: Can irritate skin and eyes, harmful if inhaled or swallowed, risk of toxic effects from benzene and hydrogen sulfide content
Environmental Hazards: Toxic to aquatic life, potential long-term adverse effects on water, soil, and wildlife
GHS Classification: Flammable Liquids – Category 1 or 2, Carcinogenicity – Category 1B, Acute Toxicity – Category 4 (inhalation, oral, dermal)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes skin and eye irritation, may cause cancer, highly flammable, very toxic to aquatic life
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, avoid breathing vapors, wash skin after handling, use explosion-proof equipment, use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area
Main Components: Hydrocarbons (alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatics), sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, trace metals
Typical Breakdown: Alkanes (paraffins) 10–50%, Cycloalkanes (naphthenes) 30–60%, Aromatics 3–30%
Hazardous Ingredients: Benzene 0.1–5%, Toluene 0.5–2%, Hydrogen sulfide <0.2% (can spike higher depending on origin), Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) up to 4%
Impurities: Salt, sand, water, trace metals (nickel, vanadium, lead, arsenic)
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention if symptoms persist, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water, seek medical attention for persistent irritation or rash
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue irrigation, seek medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth (do not induce vomiting), never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, get immediate medical help
Note to Physicians: Aspiration hazard, can cause chemical pneumonitis; treat symptomatically and monitor respiratory function
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray for cooling containers
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water jet may spread fire
Specific Hazards: Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air, containers may explode in fire, toxic fumes of carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and unburned hydrocarbons
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Firefighting Instructions: Evacuate area, use water spray to cool exposed tanks, prevent runoff into drains, fight fire from upwind
Personal Precautions: Wear respiratory protection, gloves, protective clothing, keep unprotected persons away
Spill Response: Eliminate ignition sources, stop leak if safe, contain with sand, earth, or absorbent, avoid water flow into sewers or waterways
Cleanup Methods: Use non-sparking tools, absorb with appropriate materials, place in containers for disposal
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage, notify authorities if product enters rivers, lakes, or drains
Handling: Use only with adequate ventilation, ground containers before transfer, avoid breathing vapors or contact with skin, keep away from heat or open flames, do not smoke in storage area
Storage: Store in tightly closed steel containers or tanks, in secure, cool, well-ventilated area, away from incompatible materials such as oxidizers, acids, strong bases
Other Notes: Maintain proper labeling of containers, follow all relevant regulations for handling flammable liquids, rotate stock by manufacture date and inspect regularly for leaks or corrosion
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL (Benzene): 1 ppm (TWA), OSHA PEL (Hydrogen Sulfide): 20 ppm (ceiling)
Engineering Controls: Explosion-proof ventilation systems, gas monitoring where hydrogen sulfide is suspected
Personal Protective Equipment: Nitrile gloves, flame-resistant coveralls, chemical splash goggles, face shield for splash hazards, respirator with organic vapor cartridge if ventilation is inadequate
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after handling, remove contaminated clothing, no eating or drinking in work area, regular health surveillance for long-term workers
Appearance: Thick, dark brown or black fluid
Odor: Hydrocarbon or rotten eggs if hydrogen sulfide is present
Odor Threshold: Varies; low detectable odors for benzene, higher for heavier hydrocarbons
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point / Freezing Point: Variable, ranges from below −30°C to above room temperature depending on blend
Boiling Range: Wide, from 35°C for light aromatics to 495°C for heavy residues
Flash Point: Typically less than 23°C (varies with composition)
Evaporation Rate: Higher for light fractions, very slow for heavier ones
Flammability: High; classified as extremely flammable liquid
Explosion Limits: LEL 0.6%, UEL 8% (may vary by crude blend)
Vapor Pressure: 0.8–2.5 kPa at 20°C
Vapor Density: Heavier than air
Relative Density: 0.8–1.0 (water = 1.0)
Solubility in Water: Negligible for heavy fractions, partial for light aromatics
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): High, favors accumulation in lipids
Auto-ignition Temperature: 230–400°C
Decomposition Temperature: Not precisely defined; breaks down to toxic products in fire
Viscosity: Variable, depends on specific crude oil type
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Reactivity: May react violently with strong oxidizers, acids, halogens
Hazardous Reactions: Generates toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides upon combustion
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, open flame, static discharge, sparks, exposure to strong oxidizers
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, peroxides, alkali metals, oxidizing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, unburned hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Acute Effects: Dizziness, headache, nausea, chemical pneumonitis if inhaled or aspirated
Chronic Effects: Increased cancer risk (due to benzene, PAHs), anemia, liver and kidney damage, skin disorders
Sensitization: Some individuals may develop dermatitis with repeated exposure
LD50 and LC50: Varies, LD50 (Benzene, oral, rat): ~930 mg/kg, LC50 (Hydrogen Sulfide, inhalation, rat, 4 h): 444 ppm
Mutagenicity: Proven for benzene and several PAHs in animal studies
Carcinogenicity: Benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons recognized by IARC as human carcinogens (Category 1)
Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic life, fish kills frequently reported in case of oil spills, damages aquatic plants and invertebrates
Persistence and Degradability: Light components may evaporate or degrade, heavier fractions persist in soil and water, can take years to fully break down
Bioaccumulative Potential: High for many constituents, particularly PAHs and certain metals
Mobility in Soil: Spreads quickly over water, penetrates soil, can reach and contaminate groundwater
Other Adverse Effects: Long-term contamination of ecosystems, oiling of birds and mammals, destruction of breeding or feeding grounds for marine and coastal wildlife
Waste Disposal Methods: Collect spilled product and contaminated materials for recovery or safe disposal in accordance with local, state, federal regulations
Container Disposal: Empty containers may hold residues, treat as hazardous waste, never incinerate or cut containers that have held crude oil
Precautions: Avoid disposal into waterways, sewers, or landfills not equipped for hazardous materials, engage specialized hazardous waste contractors
Regulations: Disposal must comply with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in the United States, or equivalent in other jurisdictions
UN Number: UN1267
Shipping Name: Petroleum Crude Oil
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquid)
Packing Group: I or II, depending on specific composition and tests
Label Requirements: Flammable liquid, marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Ensure all containers are in good condition, check for compliance with International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, US DOT, Canadian TDG, ADR, IATA, CFR regulations
Environmental Hazards: Marine and inland water hazards; spills require immediate reporting to transportation authorities
Major Regulations: OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), EPA Clean Water Act, CERCLA, SARA Title III, TSCA, REACH (EU), WHMIS (Canada), International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
Hazard Symbols: Flammable, Toxic, Health hazard (Carcinogenic), Environmental Hazard
Labeling Requirements: Globally Harmonized System (GHS) compliant labeling with hazard pictograms and warning statements
Other Reporting: Facilities handling large quantities must submit to SARA Title III (EPCRA) reporting, environmental monitoring and release notifications as per local and national laws
Restriction Notes: Some crude blends and components may be restricted or banned in certain jurisdictions; always consult local legal requirements before storage, use, or transport
