© 2026 Sinochem Nanjing Corporation,
All Right Reserved
Name: Saxitoxin Dihydrochloride
Chemical Family: Marine Biotoxin
Synonyms: STX, Saxitoxine dihydrochloride
CAS Number: 6108-07-6
Appearance and Odor: White, crystalline powder, no characteristic smell
Common Uses: Standard for research, reference in biotoxin monitoring, rarely handled outside controlled labs
Hazard Class: Acute Toxin, Severe Neurotoxin
Signal Word: Danger
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark
Routes of Exposure: Oral, dermal, inhalation
Main Hazards: Rapid nerve block leading to paralysis, respiratory arrest, potential fatality
Symptoms: Tingling, numbness, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, confusion, cardiovascular collapse in high exposures
Component: Saxitoxin dihydrochloride
Concentration: 100%
Molecular Formula: C10H19N7O7.2HCl
Molecular Weight: 444.24 g/mol
Eye Contact: Flush area with copious water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing immediately, wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, support breathing as needed with rescue breathing or oxygen. Seek immediate medical help.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth, seek urgent medical care. Antidotes do not exist, so rapid response is critical.
General Advice: Keep the person still and under observation. Emergency staff should know that supportive measures remain the only available response.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, or foam depending on nearby materials
Specific Hazards: Toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides, and hydrochloric acid possible on burning
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and chemical-resistant gear
Fire-Fighting Notes: Water run-off may carry contamination, so block drains and minimize spread
Personal Protection: Full laboratory PPE including gloves, goggles, lab coat, and appropriate mask or respirator
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release into drains, water bodies, or soil
Clean-Up Procedures: Use absorbent materials for dry pick-up, avoid raising dust, dispose according to hazardous chemical protocols, ventilate area
Decontamination: Wash area thoroughly with soap and water after removal, using fresh absorbent materials if necessary
Safe Handling: Work inside a certified chemical hood; avoid inhalation, skin, and eye contact; never pipette by mouth
Labeling: Clear hazard labels, keep tightly closed when not in use
Storage Requirements: Store in locked, well-ventilated poison cabinet maintained at low temperatures; segregate from foods, feeds, and incompatible chemicals
Special Advice: Limit access only to trained professionals, document every movement of materials closely
Engineering Controls: Chemical fume hoods and negative pressure rooms reduce risk
Eye Protection: Approved safety goggles or face shield
Skin Protection: Resistant disposable gloves (nitrile, butyl rubber), full body covering
Respiratory Protection: Certified respirator if risk of airborne dust
Hygiene: No eating, drinking, or smoking in handling areas, wash hands immediately after handling, and before leaving laboratory
Physical State: Solid, crystalline
Color: White
Solubility: Highly soluble in water
Melting Point: Decomposes without melting beyond 200°C
Odor: Odorless
pH: Acidic in solution
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Stability: Stable under recommended storage, sensitive to extreme heat and moisture
Reactivity: Remains stable when kept cool and dry
Chemical Stability: Loses potency when exposed to moisture, oxidizing conditions, or light
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong acids
Hazard Decomposition: Releases toxic fumes under fire conditions
Polymerization: Not known to occur
Main Effects: Nerve channel blockade results in progressive neuromuscular paralysis, leading to asphyxiation
LD50 Values: For humans, very low—order of single-digit micrograms per kg, reflecting intense potency
Acute Toxicity: Onset can be rapid; symptoms might appear within minutes after exposure
Long-term Exposure: Chronic exposure data lacking, but survivors of acute intoxication tend to recover fully absent ongoing exposure
Routes of Entry: Ingestion, dermal, rarely by inhalation in powder form
Aquatic Toxicity: Dangerously toxic for aquatic organisms; implicated in marine toxicosis events
Persistence and Degradation: Not readily biodegradable, tends to persist in water and biota
Bioaccumulation: Sequestered through marine food chains, seen in shellfish and higher trophic levels
Hazard for Drinking Water: Even tiny concentrations threaten public safety due to extreme toxicity
Waste Treatment Methods: Collect solid and liquid waste separately in secure, clearly labeled containers
Disposal Procedures: Send to incineration facilities with proven capabilities for destroying hazardous toxins; follow all government regulations
Precautionary Measures: Avoid any release to sewers, natural waters, or landfill
Legal Responsibility: Keep full documentation for every disposal, anticipating inspections and audits by authorities
UN Number: Classified for international transport as a dangerous substance, regulated under toxin regulations
Shipping Name: Toxins, extracted from living sources, solid, n.o.s. (e.g., saxitoxin)
Transport Hazards: Extreme handling controls, only approved carriers, full compliance with IATA, IMDG, and DOT for toxins
Packing Group: Class I toxic substance
Precautionary Markings: Toxic, keep away from all non-authorized personnel, with visible emergency warnings
Global Status: Controlled material in many nations, often requires government license or special registration
Occupational Limits: No established safe workplace exposure limits due to severity of toxicity
Control Status: Scheduled as a select agent in the US, similar national regulations worldwide
GHS Label Elements: Signal word Danger, hazard phrases “Fatal if swallowed,” “Fatal in contact with skin,” and “Fatal if inhaled”
Worker Protections: Strict mandatory training, medical surveillance encouraged for regular handlers, immediate reporting of any exposure event required
