Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC)

1. **Identification of the Substance/Preparation and Company/Undertaking**

- **Product Name**: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC)

- **Synonyms**: Hypromellose, Cellulose hydroxypropyl methyl ether

- **Chemical Formula**: C3H7O *

- **Manufacturer/Supplier**: [Your Company Name and Contact Information]

#### 2. **Hazard Identification**

- **GHS Classification**: Not classified as hazardous

- **Emergency Overview**: This substance is not considered hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).

- **Potential Health Effects**:

  - **Inhalation**: May cause respiratory irritation.

  - **Skin Contact**: Generally non-irritating.

  - **Eye Contact**: May cause mechanical irritation.

  - **Ingestion**: Low toxicity, but may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

#### 3. **Composition/Information on Ingredients**

- **Chemical Name**: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

- **CAS Number**: 9004-65-3

- **EC Number**: 618-389-6

- **Impurities**: None known that contribute to classification.

#### 4. **First-Aid Measures**

- **Inhalation**: Remove to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

- **Skin Contact**: Wash with soap and water. Seek medical attention if irritation develops.

- **Eye Contact**: Rinse thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.

- **Ingestion**: Rinse mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel. Seek medical attention if large quantities are ingested.

#### 5. **Fire-Fighting Measures**

- **Suitable Extinguishing Media**: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide.

- **Special Hazards**: Combustible dust. Fine dust dispersed in air in sufficient concentrations, and in the presence of an ignition source, is a potential dust explosion hazard.

- **Protective Equipment**: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear.

#### 6. **Accidental Release Measures**

- **Personal Precautions**: Avoid dust formation. Ensure adequate ventilation. Use personal protective equipment as required.

- **Environmental Precautions**: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains.

- **Methods for Cleaning Up**: Sweep up and shovel into suitable containers for disposal. Avoid generating dust.

#### 7. **Handling and Storage**

- **Handling**: Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Ensure adequate ventilation. Avoid dust formation.

- **Storage**: Store in a cool, dry place. Keep container tightly closed. Protect from moisture.

#### 8. **Exposure Controls/Personal Protection**

- **Engineering Controls**: Ensure adequate ventilation, especially in confined areas.

- **Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)**:

  - **Eye Protection**: Safety glasses with side shields.

  - **Skin Protection**: Gloves and protective clothing as needed to prevent contact.

  - **Respiratory Protection**: Use a dust mask or respirator if dust concentration exceeds exposure limits.

- **Exposure Limits**: No occupational exposure limits established.

#### 9. **Physical and Chemical Properties**

- **Appearance**: White to off-white powder

- **Odor**: Odorless

- **pH**: 5.0-8.0 (1% solution)

- **Melting Point/Freezing Point**: Not applicable

- **Boiling Point**: Not applicable

- **Flash Point**: Not applicable

- **Evaporation Rate**: Not applicable

- **Flammability**: Combustible dust

- **Upper/Lower Flammability or Explosive Limits**: Not applicable

- **Vapor Pressure**: Not applicable

- **Vapor Density**: Not applicable

- **Relative Density**: 1.39 g/cm³

- **Solubility**: Soluble in water

- **Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water)**: Not applicable

- **Auto-ignition Temperature**: > 360°C

- **Decomposition Temperature**: Not determined

- **Viscosity**: Varies depending on molecular weight

#### 10. **Stability and Reactivity**

- **Chemical Stability**: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

- **Possibility of Hazardous Reactions**: None under normal processing.

- **Conditions to Avoid**: Avoid dust formation. Keep away from heat and sources of ignition.

- **Incompatible Materials**: Strong oxidizing agents.

- **Hazardous Decomposition Products**: Carbon oxides.

#### 11. **Toxicological Information**

- **Acute Toxicity**:

  - **Oral LD50**: > 5,000 mg/kg (rat)

  - **Dermal LD50**: Not available

  - **Inhalation LC50**: Not available

- **Skin Corrosion/Irritation**: Non-irritating

- **Serious Eye Damage/Irritation**: May cause mechanical irritation.

- **Respiratory or Skin Sensitization**: Not a sensitizer.

- **Germ Cell Mutagenicity**: Not mutagenic.

- **Carcinogenicity**: Not classified as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA.

- **Reproductive Toxicity**: No information available.

- **STOT-Single Exposure**: No information available.

- **STOT-Repeated Exposure**: No information available.

- **Aspiration Hazard**: Not an aspiration hazard.

#### 12. **Ecological Information**

- **Ecotoxicity**: No information available.

- **Persistence and Degradability**: Biodegradable.

- **Bioaccumulative Potential**: No information available.

- **Mobility in Soil**: No information available.

- **Other Adverse Effects**: None known.

#### 13. **Disposal Considerations**

- **Waste Disposal Methods**: Dispose of in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.

- **Contaminated Packaging**: Dispose of as unused product.

#### 14. **Transport Information**

- **UN Number**: Not regulated

- **UN Proper Shipping Name**: Not regulated

- **Transport Hazard Class(es)**: Not regulated

- **Packing Group**: Not regulated

- **Environmental Hazards**: Not applicable

- **Special Precautions for User**: None

- **Transport in Bulk According to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the IBC Code**: Not applicable

#### 15. **Regulatory Information**

- **Safety, Health and Environmental Regulations/Legislation Specific for the Substance or Mixture**:

  - **TSCA**: Listed

  - **DSL/NDSL**: Listed

  - **EINECS/ELINCS**: Listed

  - **ENCS**: Listed

  - **IECSC**: Listed

  - **KECL**: Listed

  - **PICCS**: Listed

  - **AICS**: Listed

#### 16. **Other Information**

- **NFPA Ratings**:

  - **Health**: 0

  - **Flammability**: 1

  - **Reactivity**: 0

- **HMIS Ratings**:

  - **Health**: 0

  - **Flammability**: 1

  - **Physical Hazard**: 0

- **Prepared By**: [Your Company's Safety Department]

- **Date of Preparation/Revision**: [Date]

- **Disclaimer**: The information provided in this MSDS is believed to be accurate and represents the best information currently available to us. However, we make no warranty of merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to such information, and we assume no liability resulting from its use. Users should make their own investigations to determine the suitability of the information for their particular purposes.

This detailed MSDS provides comprehensive information on the safe handling, use, and disposal of HPMC, ensuring that professionals working with this material are well-informed of its properties and potential hazards.