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Chemical name: Dimethylsulfoxide
Common names: DMSO
Molecular formula: C2H6OS
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid, with a faint, sometimes garlic-like odor
Common uses: Usually found as a solvent in laboratories, also comes up in pharmaceuticals and electronics. Its strong ability to dissolve both polar and nonpolar compounds makes it attractive in diverse chemical settings.
CAS Number: 67-68-5
Signal word: Warning
Acute health effects: Direct exposure means possible skin irritation, eye discomfort, and sometimes headaches or dizziness if vapors enter a closed environment. High exposure may cause skin to absorb other toxic chemicals more easily.
Long-term risks: Frequent, uncontrolled skin contact has led to reports of rashes and dryness; large-scale exposures could affect the liver or kidneys, mainly based on laboratory studies.
Main hazard symbols: May show exclamation marks for irritant, and sometimes health hazard pictograms, reflecting risk for organ effects after repeated exposure.
Fire hazard: Not highly flammable but can burn at higher temperatures, gives off fumes that may irritate.
Single ingredient: 99-100% Dimethylsulfoxide
Impurities: Commercial grades sometimes hold tiny traces of water or unidentified low-level chemicals picked up during manufacturing. Most sold for lab and medical use screens out impurities.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water. Seek medical advice if discomfort arises, especially with large amounts.
Inhalation: Head outside into fresh air. If breathing feels off, medical attention improves outcomes. Remove sources of continued exposure.
Contact with skin: Wash with mild soap under running water. Remove contaminated clothing, since DMSO carries other chemicals through skin.
Eye contact: Flush carefully and thoroughly using clean water for a good 15 minutes. Even if symptoms ease up, have a health professional check if irritation lingers.
Note: The quick skin absorption means even those helping with cleanup should wear gloves.
Suitable extinguishing media: Water spray, foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical.
Special fire hazards: Vapors might build up and react with strong oxidizers. Under fire, sulfur oxides form and contribute to fumes that sting respiratory systems.
Protective equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and protective gear due to the risk from fumes. Personal safety comes first, so direct exposure should be minimized.
Spill response: Isolate area to prevent slips and unnecessary exposure. Mop up liquid using absorbents like sand or vermiculite.
Environmental caution: Don’t flush into sewers or water bodies. DMSO itself is not highly toxic to the environment, but its solvent power can help other chemicals move more quickly through ecosystems.
Personal protection: Gloves, goggles, long sleeves—bare skin stays well-covered. Ventilate the area thoroughly to push out vapors.
Storage: Keep in tightly closed containers, away from sunlight and strong oxidizers. Store in cool, well-ventilated spaces. Humidity and heat can affect stability—less is more here.
Handling: Avoid spills, splashes, and direct skin or eye contact. Good lab practice means using fume hoods and proper protective wear. DMSO’s ability to transport other solutes across skin always demands respect.
Containers: Glass works best, plastics might become brittle, metal drums may corrode if water gets in.
Limits: No formal workplace exposure limits in most countries, but many labs treat DMSO with caution for its absorption risk.
Personal protective equipment: Gloves rated for chemical protection, safety goggles, and sturdy lab coats. Sometimes, face shields get used for larger handling.
Engineering controls: Local exhaust ventilation helps keep vapors from reaching dangerous levels during work. A closed transfer system reduces splash and vapor risk.
Hygiene: Washing hands after use cuts down on accidental transfer to the face and eyes or accidental ingestion.
Physical state: Liquid at room temperature
Color: Colorless
Smell: Mild, sometimes with a garlic-like note
Melting point: 18.5°C (65°F)
Boiling point: 189°C (372°F)
Solubility: Fully mixes with water and most organic solvents
Density: Close to 1.1 g/cm³ at 20°C
Vapor pressure: Low at room temperatures
pH: Neutral in water, won’t change the acidity much
Stability: Remains steady under most common lab and storage conditions.
Hazardous reactions: Contact with strong acids, bases, or oxidizers can create toxic gases. Reacts vigorously with trichloroacetic acid or similar compounds.
Decomposition products: Burning or overheating releases sulfur oxides and other harsh gases.
Acute effects: Rapid skin absorption sometimes causes tingling, redness, or mild irritation. At high doses, nausea, headaches, or sleepiness have shown up.
Chronic effects: Long-term, everyday exposure carries risk for skin dryness, rash, and rare allergic reactions. Animal studies suggest liver or kidney changes at high doses, but regular lab work keeps levels much lower.
Sensitization: Most people tolerate DMSO, but rare cases of allergic flareups exist.
Carcinogenicity: Data shows no clear evidence for cancer risk in humans.
Fate in environment: Breaks down relatively quickly, doesn’t build up in organisms. DMSO seeps into soil and water, where it dilutes well, but helps other chemicals move faster than expected.
Toxicity to life: Fish, algae, and other aquatic life generally tolerate DMSO up to moderate concentrations, but heavy spills in small bodies of water would still disrupt local chemistry.
Bioaccumulation: Remains low; what enters wildlife tends to leave with normal metabolic functioning.
Waste treatment: Collect in sealed, clearly labeled containers. Never pour down sinks or on ground.
Preferred disposal: Specialized waste processing centers handle solvents more safely. On-site combustion with scrubbers reduces emissions.
Container cleaning: Triple-rinse and treat rinsates as hazardous waste before recycling or disposal.
Road and rail: No special restrictions for shipping small amounts, but labeling as a chemical solvent is standard.
Air and sea: Larger loads mean stricter labeling, may require carriers to use ventilated containers.
Packing group: Not assigned for most shipping due to moderate hazard profile, though UN guidelines exist for spills and accidents.
Spill response in transit: Emergency responders focus on containing runoff and limiting human contact.
Global use: Accepted in pharmaceutical industries, research, and manufacturing with clear limits on personal exposure.
Labeling: Most jurisdictions need proper hazard pictograms and safety instructions.
Restrictions: A few countries restrict outright use in food or medicine to guard against accidental overexposure or unintended medical effects.
