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Chemical Name: Methyl Isocyanate
Synonyms: MIC, Isocyanatomethane
CAS Number: 624-83-9
Recommended Use: Industrial chemical, pesticide intermediate
Supplier Details: Refer to manufacturer or distributor information for specific contacts.
Emergency Telephone: Refer to local emergency services or poison control center.
Hazard Class: Acute Toxicity (Inhalation, Dermal, Oral), Skin Corrosion/Irritation, Serious Eye Damage/Irritation, Respiratory Sensitization
GHS Label Elements: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, corrosion pictogram
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Fatal if inhaled. Toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. May cause allergy or asthma symptoms if inhaled. May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary Statements: Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Wear protective gloves and eye/face protection. Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray. In case of inadequate ventilation, wear respiratory protection.
Chemical Name: Methyl Isocyanate
Concentration: 99% or greater
Impurities: Trace amounts of acids or other isocyanates possible in technical grades
Molecular Formula: C2H3NO
Molecular Weight: 57.05 g/mol
Inhalation: Remove victim to fresh air. Seek immediate medical attention. Provide oxygen or artificial respiration as needed.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with large volumes of water for 15 minutes. Obtain medical help urgently.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Seek medical attention immediately.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water if conscious. Immediate hospital referral required.
Most Important Symptoms: Severe irritation or burns to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, pulmonary edema, difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, nausea.
Advice to Physicians: Treat symptoms. Monitor for respiratory distress or delayed pulmonary edema. No known specific antidote.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, foam. Water spray only to cool surfaces, not to extinguish flames directly.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use water jets as it may spread fire.
Special Hazards: Highly flammable liquid and vapor. May form toxic and corrosive gases including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide upon combustion. Vapor is heavier than air and may travel to source of ignition.
Firefighter Protection: Self-contained breathing apparatus with full protective gear. Stay upwind. Avoid inhalation of toxic decomposition products.
Explosion Hazard: Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Containers may explode if heated.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate personnel to safe area. Wear chemical splash suit, positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus. Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release from entering sewers, waterways, and confined spaces. Notify authorities as required.
Spill Cleanup Methods: Isolate area and ventilate. Absorb spill with inert material such as dry sand, earth, or vermiculite; place in suitable containers for disposal. Neutralize with dilute ammonia or sodium carbonate solution if safe. Decontaminate area with water spray.
Decontamination: Wash surfaces with strong detergent and water after cleanup. Dispose of contaminated materials as hazardous waste.
Handling: Handle only in well-ventilated chemical fume hoods. Use explosion-proof equipment. Ground containers to prevent static discharge. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Do not breathe vapor or mist.
Storage: Keep container tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources and incompatible substances like water, alcohols, acids, amines, strong oxidizers. Store under inert atmosphere. Protect from moisture. Use corrosion-resistant containers.
Transfer Precautions: Avoid leaks or spills by using suitable pumps or transfer equipment. Do not use compressed air for filling, discharging, or handling.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after use. Remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation and process enclosure to limit concentration of airborne vapors below occupational exposure limits. Emergency shower and eyewash stations required near work area.
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 0.02 ppm (0.05 mg/m³), ACGIH TLV: 0.005 ppm (TWA).
Personal Protective Equipment: Respiratory protection: Full-face positive-pressure supplied-air respirator or self-contained breathing apparatus for emergency or high concentrations. Gloves: Impervious chemical-resistant gloves such as butyl rubber. Eye Protection: Chemical safety goggles and full-face shield. Skin: Chemical-resistant suits, boots, and aprons.
General Protection: Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in areas where the chemical is used. Inspect PPE regularly.
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Pungent, sharp odor, highly irritating
Boiling Point: 39°C (102.2°F)
Melting Point: -45°C (-49°F)
Vapor Pressure: 348 mm Hg at 25°C
Solubility: Reacts with water, soluble in organic solvents
Density: 0.96 g/cm³ at 20°C
Vapor Density: 2.0 (air = 1)
pH: Not applicable
Flash Point: -7°C (19.4°F), closed cup
Autoignition Temperature: 535°C (995°F)
Flammability Limits: Upper: 26% / Lower: 5.3% (in air)
Chemical Stability: Unstable under heat, light, moisture; can polymerize violently.
Reactivity: Reacts with water, alcohols, acids, bases, amines, oxidizers, and many metals. Violent reactions possible.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, methylamine.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flames, sparks, static electricity, moisture, incompatible chemicals.
Polymerization: May occur rapidly under contamination or improper storage, risk of explosion.
Acute Toxicity: High. LD50 oral (rat): 50 mg/kg. LC50 inhalation (rat, 4h): 0.003 mg/L. Rapid onset of symptoms.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, eyes, ingestion.
Symptoms: Severe eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation; burns; coughing; chest tightness; shortness of breath; delayed pulmonary edema.
Sensitization: May cause sensitization by inhalation; asthmatic reactions reported.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure leads to respiratory impairment, asthma, bronchitis, reduced lung function.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA. Prolonged exposure may contribute to long-term health effects.
Ecotoxicity: Very toxic to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Direct discharges threaten water systems and wildlife.
Persistence/Degradation: Not readily biodegradable. Reacts rapidly with water to form methylamine and carbon dioxide.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low. Hydrolysis products may accumulate in environment if not treated.
Mobility in Soil: High volatility and water reactivity increase migration and dispersion risk through air and groundwater.
Aquatic Toxicity Data: LC50 (fish, 96h): 0.11 mg/L. EC50 (daphnia, 48h): 0.59 mg/L.
Disposal Methods: Incinerate contents in an approved chemical incinerator equipped with afterburner and scrubber. Do not allow to enter drains or watercourses.
Container Disposal: Empty containers should be thoroughly rinsed with water and neutralized before disposal. Puncture and dispose in a secure landfill in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Precautions: All contaminated materials must be treated as hazardous waste and managed in compliance with regulations.
Waste Codes: Refer to local waste codes and regulations for hazardous materials.
UN Number: UN2480
Proper Shipping Name: Methyl Isocyanate
Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances), 3 (Flammable liquids)
Packing Group: I (Great Danger)
Labels: Toxic, Flammable Liquid
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Precautions: Secure, leak-proof containers. Transport only by trained personnel. Maintain emergency equipment during shipment.
Transport Regulations: Subject to strict national and international transport regulations (IMDG, IATA, DOT, ADR). Notification to authorities required for large shipments.
OSHA: Regulated as an extremely hazardous substance. Strict workplace exposure controls.
TSCA: Listed under the Toxic Substances Control Act inventory.
SARA Title III: Section 302 and 313 listed. Immediate reporting and emergency planning required.
Risk Phrases (EU): R10 (Flammable), R23 (Toxic by inhalation), R34 (Causes burns)
Safety Phrases (EU): S26 (In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately), S36/37/39 (Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves, and eye/face protection), S45 (In case of accident, seek medical advice)
International Inventories: Listed on major inventories including EINECS, DSL, AICS, ENCS, PICCS, IECSC, NZIoC.
Regulatory Restrictions: Use, storage, and transport subject to permits and reporting requirements in many jurisdictions based on accident history and environmental impact.
