Product Name: Florfenicol
Chemical Name: 2,2-dichloro-N-(alpha-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-acetamide
Synonyms: Nuflor, Florocol
Use: Veterinary antibiotic used to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in livestock and aquaculture
Manufacturer: Listed on the packaging or shipping documents
Contact Information: Refer to manufacturer’s emergency contact number and address on the label
CAS Number: 73231-34-2
UN Number: Not regulated for transportation under most circumstances
Classification: Harmful if swallowed; may cause respiratory irritation; potentially toxic to aquatic life
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation; may cause allergic skin reactions in sensitized individuals; can cause mild respiratory tract irritation if dust is inhaled; ingestion may impact kidneys and liver in rare cases
Signal Word: Warning
Major Symptoms: Redness, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, headache, respiratory discomfort
Precautionary Measures: Avoid breathing dust; wash skin thoroughly after handling; avoid release to the environment where possible
Chemical: Florfenicol
Concentration: Pure substance or 98-100% in technical grade; can appear in diluted blends in veterinary products
Impurities: Trace organic compounds, residual solvents, less than 0.1% unless specified by supplier
Inhalation: Remove from exposure area into fresh air; get medical attention if symptoms like cough or breathing difficulty develop
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water for at least 15 minutes; remove contaminated clothing; consult doctor if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Flood eyes with water for 15 minutes, lifting eyelids; seek medical attention if irritation or vision changes persist
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth and give water to drink; seek urgent medical attention, especially for large quantities or if symptoms develop
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray, alcohol-resistant foam
Specific Hazards: Combustion could release toxic fumes of chlorine, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide; may produce dense smoke
Protective Equipment: Firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus with full protective gear
Special Procedures: Move containers from area if possible; keep out runoff from fire control efforts
Personal Precautions: Use personal protective equipment; avoid creating dust; ventilate the area
Environmental Precautions: Prevent contamination of soil and water; avoid discharge into drains
Clean-Up Methods: Collect spilled powder with suitable tools into labeled containers for disposal; avoid generating dust; wash spill area with soap and water
Handling: Use in well-ventilated spaces; avoid skin and eye contact; avoid breathing dust or vapors; wash hands after handling
Storage: Keep in tightly sealed original container; store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials like acids, oxidizers, food, and feed; protect from light and moisture
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust or general ventilation to control airborne levels
Personal Protective Equipment – Eyes: Safety goggles or face shield
Personal Protective Equipment – Skin: Protective gloves (nitrile or similar) and long sleeves
Personal Protective Equipment – Respiratory: Dust mask or respirator when dust is generated
Environmental Controls: Prevent release to the environment, especially soil and waterways
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless or faint musty smell
pH (1% solution): 5 to 7
Melting Point: Approximately 153°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide and methanol
Vapor Pressure: Very low at ambient temperature
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): 1.19
Density: 1.45 g/cm³
Flash Point: Not applicable (decomposes before flash point)
Stability: Stable in original container under recommended conditions
Reactivity: Not reactive under normal handling and storage
Possible Reactions: Avoid strong oxidizing agents and acids
Decomposition Products: Toxic gases such as hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides can form during heating or fire
Polymerization: Will not occur
Acute Toxicity – Oral: LD50 (rat) ~2000 mg/kg
Acute Toxicity – Dermal: Low toxicity; skin sensitization has been observed in some tested animals
Inhalation: Slight risk of irritation; not acutely inhalation-toxic
Chronic Exposure: Potential for mild liver or kidney effects with prolonged occupational exposure
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: Not classified as mutagenic or teratogenic at exposure levels likely to be encountered
Carcinogenicity: No evidence from animal studies or regulatory agencies indicating carcinogenic risk
Key Symptoms: Nausea, headache, mild skin rash, corneal irritation
Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Aquatic Life: LC50 (fish, 96 h): 15 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Moderately persistent; partially biodegradable under environmental conditions
Bioaccumulation: Moderate potential, based on log Kow
Mobility in Soil: Moderately mobile; could reach surface or ground water if improperly disposed
Other Adverse Effects: May impact microbial communities in soil and water when released
Waste Disposal Method: In accordance with local, state, and national regulations; incineration preferred for excess or expired product; do not dispose with household garbage or release into sewers
Packaging Disposal: Use approved containers; fully empty containers before recycling or disposal
Precautions: Do not flush down drain; consult professionals for bulk disposal needs
UN Number: Not classified as dangerous goods under most transport regulations
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated
Packing Group: Not assigned
Special Precautions: Keep container tightly sealed; prevent moisture intrusion and physical damage during transport; avoid temperature extremes that could cause product breakdown
Shipping Description: Veterinary pharmaceutical, not hazardous for transport as commonly packaged and shipped
TSCA (USA): Listed
DSL (Canada): Listed
EU Regulations: Registered under REACH as active veterinary substance; subject to veterinary medicinal product regulations
OSHA: Considered hazardous chemical; facilities handling in bulk should maintain written hazard communication programs
WHMIS (Canada): Not classified as hazardous
SARA Title III: Not listed as an extremely hazardous substance
Other International Regulations: Subject to regulation by regional authorities for use in animals and environmental release limits