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Product Name: Methylcellulose
Chemical Family: Cellulose ethers
Chemical Formula: C18H36O11
Common Uses: Food thickener, pharmaceutical binder, personal care stabilizer, construction additive
CAS Number: 9004-67-5
Supplier Identification: Name and address of manufacturer; customer service and emergency contact numbers; prepared by regulatory manager or product steward
Recommended Restrictions: Not intended for use outside of industrial, lab, and regulatory guidelines
Physical State: White to off-white powder
Major Hazards: Dust may irritate respiratory tract; can cause mechanical eye and skin irritation; risk of dust explosion in confined areas
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS
Signal Word: None
Health Hazards: Respiratory discomfort from dust; eye redness; skin dryness from prolonged contact
Environmental Hazards: Not expected to pose significant environmental threat
Precautionary Statements: Minimize dust generation, wear suitable protection when handling large volumes, keep away from ignition sources
Chemical Name: Methylcellulose
Concentration: 100% (pure compound; no additives for technical or food grade products)
Impurities: Trace sodium chloride, sodium glycolate, and other minor cellulose ether derivatives depending on manufacturing process
Additives: None unless specifically noted by supplier
Synonyms: Cellulose, methyl ether; methyl cellulose
Eye Contact: Flush thoroughly with water, lift eyelids and continue washing, remove contact lenses if present, seek medical care for persistent irritation
Skin Contact: Wash exposed area with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical attention if redness develops or persists
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, support breathing if needed, consult medical services if respiratory symptoms develop
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water, do not induce vomiting, consult physician if large quantity ingested or symptoms persist
Most Important Symptoms: Eye redness, coughing, throat dryness, mild skin dryness
Medical Notes: Product does not sensitize respiratory system, no delayed symptoms expected, treat symptomatically
General Hazards: Dust/air mixtures can ignite, risk of flash fire in confined areas
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: High-pressure water jet may spread powder
Specific Hazards: Burning may produce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, low levels of formaldehyde
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Procedures: Remove product from fire zone if safe, keep containers cool, avoid inhalation of smoke
Explosion Sensitivity: Fine dust can form cloud ignition risk
Personal Precautions: Evacuate dusty area, wear protective mask, prevent inhalation and eye contact
Environmental Precautions: Avoid release into drains or watercourses, prevent powder from spreading
Containment Methods: Sweep/shovel up spilled powder without generating dust, use HEPA vacuum
Cleanup Methods: Place in suitable labelled waste container; wash residue with water; ventilate area as needed
Disposal: According to local regulations for non-hazardous cellulose materials; see disposal section for details
Handling: Use with adequate ventilation, minimize dust buildup, ground/earth all equipment to reduce static charge
Personal Hygiene: Wash hands after handling, avoid eating/drinking/smoking near materials
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area, away from ignition sources
Special Instructions: Keep product away from strong oxidizers, protect from prolonged humidity, do not return unused material to original container to prevent contamination
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizing agents including hypochlorites, peroxides
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for nuisance dust: 15 mg/m³ (total); 5 mg/m³ (respirable)
Engineering Controls: Use dust extraction equipment, ensure good general ventilation, use local exhaust to control airborne concentrations
Personal Protective Equipment: Dust mask or particulate respirator (N95 or equivalent), standard protective gloves, chemical safety glasses with side shields
Hygiene Requirements: Remove clothing if contaminated, wash thoroughly before eating or drinking, clean work surfaces regularly
Environmental Exposure Controls: Prevent dust from entering stormwater drains or waterways during clean-up
Appearance: White to off-white, free-flowing powder
Odor: Odorless or faint cellulose scent
pH (1% solution): 5.0–8.0
Melting Point: Not available (chars and decomposes before melting)
Boiling Point: Not applicable (solid material)
Flash Point: > 230°C (dust)
Upper/Lower Explosive Limits: Not established for product, dust/air mixtures above 30–300 g/m³ flammable
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Solubility: Forms colloidal solution in cold water, insoluble in hot water and most organic solvents
Relative Density: About 1.3 g/cm³
Partition Coefficient: Not determined
Viscosity (1%): Varies with grade from 50 to 8,000 mPa·s
Decomposition Temperature: Above 200°C
Other Properties: Generates dust when poured or shaken, hygroscopic in humid air
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Not reactive with water or air under ambient conditions
Hazardous Reactions: None reported for standard use; strong oxidizers cause rapid decomposition and heat release
Conditions to Avoid: Dust formation, high heat, open flames, strong oxidizing environments
Incompatible Materials: Concentrated acids, alkalis, oxidizers
Hazardous Decomposition: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, traces of formaldehyde, acrolein, other low molecular organics
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity; not absorbed by gastrointestinal tract, no LD50 established
Routes of Exposure: Respiratory (dust), ocular, dermal, oral
Potential Health Effects: Mechanical eye and skin irritation, dryness, transient cough or sneeze reflex from dust, no known systemic toxicity
Carcinogenicity: Not classified by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Mutagenicity and Reproductive Toxicity: No evidence of mutagenic or reproductive risk in animal studies
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure to dust can aggravate respiratory conditions; rare cases of dermatitis
Other Data: Not sensitizing, not known to cause allergies, not absorbed through skin intact
Ecotoxicity: Not toxic to aquatic organisms at expected environmental concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable; breaks down via microbial digestion in soil or water
Bioaccumulation: Potential for accumulation is low; does not persist in tissues
Mobility in Soil: Water-soluble grades disperse and degrade readily; no harmful residues expected
Other Adverse Effects: Excessive discharge may lead to high chemical oxygen demand in water, but not permanent harm to aquatic life
Regulatory Status: Not listed as marine pollutant or hazardous waste under major conventions
Waste Treatment Methods: Incinerate or landfill according to local, regional, or national regulations for non-hazardous organic solids
Product Disposal: Recycle or reuse where possible; avoid releases to sewer or surface water
Packaging Disposal: Clean, recycle, or dispose of packaging in accordance with regulatory requirements
Special Precautions: Minimize dust during waste handling, wear appropriate personal protective gear throughout cleanup
UN Number: Not regulated
Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated for transport
Transport Hazard Classes: Not classified as hazardous
Packing Group: Not assigned
Environmental Hazards: No assigned eco-hazard classification
Transport Notes: Avoid mechanical damage to containers and bag breakage, keep dry during shipping
Bulk Transport: Not subject to bulk transport rules for dangerous goods
Special Transport Precautions: Take standard care for dust-generating solids, avoid exposure to sources of ignition
Safety Health and Environmental Regulations: Meets requirements under US TSCA, EU REACH, Canada DSL, Australia AICS
Labeling Requirements: Not classified as hazardous; dust caution may appear on packaging
Worker Protection Standards: Covered under OSHA particulate standards, not regulated as carcinogenic or highly toxic
Specific Provisions: Food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic products must meet additional purity and safety standards
Other Regulatory Listings: Not subject to SARA Title III, CERCLA, or Prop 65 notification
Community Right-to-Know: Not listed as priority pollutant, no significant risk of environmental harm under normal use
Revision Status: Ensure SDS reflects current regulations; consult supplier and local authorities for updates
