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Product Name: Nitrocellulose, Unmodified or with Plasticizer Content less than 18%
Chemical Family: Cellulose nitrate
CAS Number: 9004-70-0
Synonyms: Guncotton, Cellulose nitrate, Pyroxylin
Intended Use: Employed in lacquers, inks, coatings, adhesives, leather finishing, and certain explosives
Supplier Details: Name, address, emergency contact phone number of the manufacturer or distributor to be provided by the supplier
Physical Hazards: Flammable solid, sensitive to heat, friction, impact, static discharge can lead to fire or explosion
Health Hazards: Inhalation or contact can irritate skin, eyes, respiratory tract; prolonged exposure may cause dizziness, headaches
Environmental Hazards: Toxic to aquatic life, not readily biodegradable, potential to accumulate in the environment
GHS Classification: Explosives: Division 1.3; Flammable solids: Category 1; Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation): Not classified; Skin Irritation: Category 2; Eye Irritation: Category 2A
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; handle in grounded equipment; avoid breathing dust; wear protective equipment
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable, poses serious fire and blast risk, causes skin and eye irritation
Main Ingredient: Nitrocellulose (cellulose nitrate) 82-100%
Plasticizer (if present): Commonly used: Dibutyl phthalate, camphor, dioctyl phthalate, total content less than 18%
Impurities: Trace moisture, acid residues may be present
No significant contaminants reported under normal manufacturing standards
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep airway open, seek medical attention if symptoms persist (dizziness, coughing, difficulty breathing)
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical help if irritation or redness continues
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if safe, continue rinsing and seek medical advice
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical attention, provide product label or SDS to physician
Advice for Physicians: Treat symptomatically
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray (flooding quantities), foam, dry chemical powder, do not use carbon dioxide in confined spaces
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Avoid water jets and use of small amounts of water, as fire can propagate
Special Hazards: Decomposes explosively under heat, toxic gases such as oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide released on burning
Firefighter Protection: Full protective clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus required, keep containers cool by spraying with water from safe distance
Explosion Risk: Vigorous burning and possible detonation when heated or shocked
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, eliminate ignition sources, use non-sparking tools, avoid generation of dust
Protective Equipment: Wear gloves, goggles, flame-resistant clothing, dust respirator if dust is present
Environmental Measures: Prevent entry into watercourses, sewers, drains—advise authorities if contamination occurs
Methods for Clean-Up: Collect with non-sparking tools, use anti-static equipment, gently sweep or vacuum and place in closed, approved containers for disposal
Disposal of Spill: Follow local, regional, and national regulations; ensure area is ventilated after cleanup
Handling: Work in well-ventilated spaces, minimize handling of containers, avoid creating or inhaling dust, keep away from all ignition sources, avoid impact or friction, ground all equipment, do not smoke
Storage: Store in secure, cool, dry, well-ventilated areas free from combustibles and incompatible substances, use approved safety containers, limit quantity in storage space, monitor for temperature fluctuations and moisture, install fire suppression and alert systems
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, alkalis, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, metal powders, fuels
Special Precautions: Conduct regular safety inspections, provide appropriate training for personnel
Exposure Limits: No specific occupational exposure limits established for nitrocellulose; for plasticizers, observe ACGIH, OSHA, and NIOSH guidelines
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, explosion-proof electrical systems, static discharge controls, use of spark-proof tools
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, flame-resistant work clothing, dust-resistant respirator or mask, anti-static footwear
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, avoid touching face or exposed skin during use, do not eat, drink or smoke in handling areas, launder contaminated clothing before reuse
Appearance: White to yellowish fibrous or granular solid, sometimes moistened or damp (with alcohol or water for stabilization)
Odor: Faintly sweet, sometimes ether-like
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point: Decomposes without melting, typically above 150°C (302°F)
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: 40–55°C (104–131°F), depending on moisture or solvent content
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 180–200°C (356–392°F)
Vapor Pressure: Not relevant
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in acetone, ethanol and certain ethers
Density: 1.6–1.7 g/cm³
Stability: Stable if kept away from sources of heat and ignition, decomposes over time, especially if contaminated by acid residues
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended conditions but decomposes under heat, friction, shock, or contamination
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, alkalis, reducing and oxidizing agents, metal powders, fuels
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, potentially toxic fumes on burning
Polymerization: Will not occur
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, open flames, sparks, static electricity, mechanical impact or friction, contamination with acids or alkalis
Acute Toxicity: Low acute toxicity via inhalation or skin contact under normal use, but dust may irritate respiratory tract, eyes, and skin
Chronic Exposure: Prolonged exposure may trigger dermatitis, chronic respiratory effects for sensitive individuals
Symptoms: Skin redness, itching, eye irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness in high concentrations
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic according to IARC, OSHA, or NTP
Mutagenicity & Reproductive Toxicity: No strong evidence of mutagenic or reproductive effects in standard studies
Additional Health Effects: Plasticizers may have their own specific toxicity, including reproductive or developmental effects; consult plasticizer data for precise hazards
Environmental Fate: Not readily biodegradable, tends to persist in soils or sediments under anaerobic conditions, slowly breaks down under sunlight and microbial activity
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms, can cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low to moderate depending on plasticizer content, limited potential for food chain transfer
Mobility in Soil: Slowly migrates through soil, insoluble in water limits mobility, but residual solvents or plasticizers may migrate more rapidly
Other Adverse Effects: No significant ozone depletion or global warming potential, but accidental release can affect local biodiversity
Waste Methods: Classified as hazardous waste, avoid disposal with general trash or landfill, use licensed hazardous waste contractors, incinerate under controlled conditions where permitted
Contaminated Packaging: Decontaminate packaging with appropriate solvents or dilute acid, dispose of as hazardous chemical waste
Disposal Regulations: Comply with all local, state, national hazardous waste disposal regulations; do not pour down drains or into surface waters; consult environmental agencies for approved recycling or destruction methods
UN Number: UN2556 (for dry, plasticized nitrocellulose with less than 12.6% nitrogen) or UN2557 (for dampened product)
Proper Shipping Name: Nitrocellulose (not wet with water or alcohol, containing less than 18% plasticizer)
Transport Hazard Class: 4.1 (flammable solid) or 1.3C (explosive, when dry and untreated)
Packing Group: II or I, depending on physical state and nitrogen content
Labels Required: Flammable solid, explosive (if applicable)
Special Precautions: Transport under authorized routes, in properly labeled and secure containers, keep away from heat, direct sunlight, and incompatible cargo, immediate reporting if container breached or spilled
OSHA Status: Regarded as hazardous under U.S. OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA Inventory: Listed
REACH Regulation: Registered or pre-registered for industrial use
DOT/IMDG/ICAO/IATA Regulations: Classified as dangerous, subject to strict transport and packaging rules
EPA Status: May require reporting under SARA Title III
Other National Regulations: Subject to restrictions in EU, Canada, China, Japan; licensing required for large-scale handling, storage, or sale
Workplace Controls: Permits, fire safety inspections, chemical management plans mandatory for most jurisdictions
