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Name: Turpentine
Chemical Formula: Largely consists of terpenes, including alpha-pinene and beta-pinene
Description: Clear, flammable liquid sourced from pine resin, strong pine-like smell, often used in paint thinning and as a solvent in the arts and crafts world
Physical Dangers: Flammable, can catch fire from open flames, hot surfaces, or sparks; vapor heavier than air, spreads far, leads to distant ignition
Health Risks: Causes eye and skin irritation, can trigger allergic reactions in some, inhaling vapors leads to headaches, dizziness, nausea, heavy exposure may lead to central nervous system depression
Environmental Threats: Harmful to aquatic life, persistent effect over longer periods, runoff contaminates soil and water
Main Ingredients: Alpha-pinene (50-60%), beta-pinene (20-30%)
Other Ingredients: Camphene, dipentene present in minor quantities, actual content varies with natural source and distillation process, may contain impurities
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical advice if symptoms continue
Skin Contact: Take off contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and lots of water, medical attention if irritation sticks
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water, remove contact lenses, keep flushing, medical help if symptoms persist
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth, seek immediate care—risk of lung aspiration if swallowed
Fire Hazards: Burns violently, vapors ignite easily
Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide, avoid using water directly, water spray cools surfaces only
Special Protective Gear: Full protective equipment, positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid toxic gases released in fire
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, keep away from ignition sources, wear chemical-resistant gloves, boots, and goggles
Spill Response: Ventilate area, cover spills with inert absorbent like sand or earth, collect in labeled container
Cleanup: Avoid runoff into waterways, properly dispose of contaminated materials, do not flush away with water
Safe Handling: Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms, keep away from heat, sparks, and open flame; keep containers tightly closed
Advice for Storage: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from light, oxidizers, acids, food, and feed, keep in properly labeled and tightly sealed containers, avoid plastic containers as turpentine may soften plastic
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, explosion-proof electrical fixtures in storage/handling areas
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical safety goggles, solvent-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), respiratory protection if vapor limits exceed safe levels
Hygiene: Wash hands after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke during use, change contaminated clothing frequently
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Strong pine-like
Boiling Point: Ranges around 150-170°C
Flash Point: Approximately 31°C (closed cup)
Vapor Pressure: Moderate at room temperature
Solubility: Insoluble in water, mixes well with most organic solvents
Density: Around 0.86 g/cm³
Chemical Stability: Relatively stable under recommended storage, sensitive to air and light, reacts with strong oxidizers
Hazardous Reactions: Violent with chlorine, concentrated acids, may form explosive peroxides during prolonged storage
Decomposition Products: Burning releases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, dense, irritating smoke
Acute Effects: Irritating to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, accidental swallowing causes gastrointestinal pain, nausea, risk of chemical pneumonitis
Chronic Exposure: Long-term contact causes dermatitis in sensitive people, exposure above safe limits connected with kidney and nervous system problems
Sensitization: Some workers develop allergic skin response with repeated exposure
Aquatic Toxicity: Dangerous to fish and other aquatic life, spills left uncontained travel fast across water surfaces
Soil Impact: Drains into soil, affects microbial activity, slow breakdown in certain environments
Bioaccumulation: Certain components build up in aquatic organisms over time
Safe Disposal: Treat as hazardous, never pour down drain or into water supplies, bring to authorized hazardous waste site
Container Handling: Empty containers remain risky, do not cut, weld, or reuse uncleaned drums, recycle or dispose of through specialized providers
Transportation Risk: Ships as a flammable liquid, regulated by ground, sea, and air rules to avoid leaks and fire
Handling: Must package using leak-proof, fireproof containers, keep away from incompatible substances during transport, labeled correctly for flammable cargo
Control Standards: Classified as a dangerous good for storage and shipment; limits set by occupational health bodies for workplace air quality
Environmental Restrictions: Release to the environment restricted in most places, national and local guidelines direct storage, disposal, and emission
Labeling: Containers carry flammable and health hazard pictograms, risk phrases, and safety advice under workplace laws
