Knowledge
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – Chloroform
Identification
Product Name: Chloroform
Chemical Name: Trichloromethane
Synonyms: Methane trichloride, Methyl trichloride, Formyl trichloride
CAS Number: 67-66-3
Recommended Uses: Laboratory solvent, extraction, organic synthesis intermediate
Supplier Details: Name, address and contact of manufacturer or distributor
Emergency Contact: 24-hour hotline numbers for chemical emergencies, including exposure, leaks, or spills
Hazard Identification
Classification: Carcinogen (Category 2), Acute Toxicity (Oral Category 4, Inhalation Category 3), Skin Irritant (Category 2), Eye Irritant (Category 2A), Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Category 2)
Label Elements: Signal word: Danger; Hazard pictograms; Hazard statements – causes skin and eye irritation, harmful if swallowed or inhaled, suspected carcinogen, may cause damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system with repeated exposure
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors or spray; wash hands thoroughly after handling; use protective gear; use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas; dispose of contents in accordance with regulations
Thermal Decomposition Risks: Produces toxic gases (phosgene, hydrogen chloride) at elevated temperatures
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Substance: Chloroform
Chemical Formula: CHCl3
Molecular Weight: 119.38 g/mol
Concentration: Chloroform 99–100% by weight
Impurities: Trace stabilizer (amylene or ethanol in small concentrations)
Other Ingredients: No significant contributors to hazard
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing, seek medical help if symptoms occur, provide respiratory support if breathing becomes difficult
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and flush skin thoroughly with water and non-abrasive soap for at least 15 minutes, seek medical attention for persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, obtain medical advice
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, call a poison control center or doctor, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person
Acute Symptoms: Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, cardiac arrhythmias, unconsciousness with high-level exposure
Delayed Effects: Liver and kidney damage with repeated or high exposures
Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, use water spray to cool fire-exposed containers
Unsuitable Media: Do not use heavy water streams which may spread the fire
Specific Hazards: Non-flammable, but decomp can yield hazardous gases such as phosgene and hydrogen chloride, vapors heavier than air and may accumulate
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear including self-contained breathing apparatus, chemical-resistant clothing, avoid inhalation of combustion products
Special Procedures: Evacuate area, fight fire from a safe distance, prevent run-off from entering waterways or sewers
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Protection: Evacuate non-essential personnel, ventilate area, use appropriate PPE such as gloves, safety goggles, lab coat or coveralls, and approved respirator if ventilation inadequate
Environmental Precautions: Do not allow to enter drains, surface water, or soil, contain spill where possible
Spill Clean-Up: Stop leak if safe, absorb with inert material (sand, earth, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth), collect in sealed containers for disposal, clean contaminated surface with suitable solvent, ventilate space
Decontamination: Avoid reusing materials used for absorption, dispose in accordance with hazardous waste regulations
Handling and Storage
Handling: Avoid all direct contact with eyes, skin and clothing, use fume hood for operations, wash hands before breaks and after work
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and sources of heat or ignition, keep containers tightly closed, store away from incompatible materials (strong bases, reactive metals, oxidizers), ground and bond containers when transferring liquid, avoid aging of stock, segregate from food and drink
Incompatibilities: Reacts with alkalis, alkali metals, finely powdered metals, and strong oxidizers, may form explosive mixtures
Storage Containers: Use containers made from compatible materials (glass, certain plastics), avoid rusted or corroded closures
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 50 ppm (240 mg/m3), ACGIH TLV: 10 ppm (TWA), NIOSH REL: 2 ppm (9.8 mg/m3) ceiling level
Ventilation: Use only in chemical fume hood or areas with effective mechanical exhaust
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirator if potential to exceed exposure limits or during emergencies
Skin Protection: Wear gloves made from nitrile, neoprene, or PVC, avoid latex as it degrades quickly
Eye Protection: Use safety goggles or face shield
Body Protection: Lab coat or protective clothing, closed footwear
Hygiene Measures: Remove contaminated clothing, wash thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke in the work area
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Clear, colorless, volatile, heavy liquid
Odor: Sweet, ethereal odor, detectable at around 85 ppm
Odor Threshold: Not precisely established
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point: -63.5°C
Boiling Point: 61-62°C
Flash Point: None (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: 11.6 (butyl acetate = 1)
Flammability: Non-flammable
Vapor Pressure: 160 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 4.12 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 1.49 at 20°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (8 g/L at 20°C), miscible with alcohol, ether, benzene, oils
Partition Coefficient: log Kow 1.97
Auto-ignition Temperature: 460°C
Decomposition Temperature: Decomposes above 250°C
Viscosity: 0.56 mPa.s at 20°C
Explosive Properties: Not explosive, but toxic fumes on combustion
Oxidizing Properties: Not an oxidizer
Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended conditions, slow decomposition with exposure to light and air
Possible Reactions: Decomposes in presence of alkali, strong bases, alkali metals to yield hazardous products
Thermal Decomposition: Produces phosgene, hydrogen chloride, and chlorine when heated above 250°C or contacted with flame
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to high temperatures, UV light, incompatibles
Incompatibility: Strong bases, alkali metals (e.g. sodium, potassium), oxidizers, finely divided metals
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
Toxicological Information
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, dermal, ingestion, ocular
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 695 mg/kg; LC50 (inhalation, rat, 4h): 47702 mg/m3
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure causes liver and kidney damage, suspected carcinogen (IARC category 2B), possible reproductive effects
Symptoms: CNS depression (drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, confusion), GI irritation if ingested, respiratory irritation from vapors, dermatitis on skin contact, corneal irritation on eye exposure
Further Risks: Sensitization not reported, long-term exposure may increase risk of cancer and organ damage
Ecological Information
Ecotoxicity: Moderately toxic to aquatic life; fish LC50 (96h): 18–55 mg/L (varies by species)
Persistence: Moderate; does not easily biodegrade, persistent in groundwater and surface water
Bioaccumulation: Low to moderate bioaccumulative potential; log Kow suggests some potential for bioaccumulation
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to low adsorption to soil; may leach to groundwater
Other Effects: Volatile; significant losses to atmosphere; degrades slowly under aerobic conditions
Recommendations: Prevent material from reaching water bodies and soil
Disposal Considerations
Waste Treatment: Dispose as hazardous waste via licensed chemical disposal contractor; do not discharge untreated wastes to sewer, soil, or surface water
Container Disposal: Empty containers may contain vapors or residues; triple rinse and puncture before disposal if regulations allow, otherwise handle as hazardous chemical waste
Contaminated Waste: Manage contaminated absorbents and materials as hazardous waste
Recycling: Not recommended; consult federal, state and local hazardous waste regulations
Precautions: Handle waste following all safety and environmental regulations to avoid exposure and release
Transport Information
UN Number: 1888
Proper Shipping Name: Chloroform
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Labels Required: Toxic
Marine Pollutant: Not classified as marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Secure packaging, protect from physical damage, comply with local/national/international transport regulations for toxic chemicals
Regulatory Information
U.S. Regulations: TSCA-listed, SARA 313 listed for toxic release inventory, CERCLA reportable quantity (RQ): 10 pounds, OSHA regulated as hazardous chemical
EU Regulations: REACH registered, classified as a substance of very high concern (SVHC); EC Number: 200-663-8, subject to restrictions on use
Other Regulations: Included on multiple national inventories, regulated for workplace exposure, labeling, storage, and environmental discharge
Health Canada: WHMIS Classification: D1A, D2A, D2B (very toxic, corrosive, and carcinogenic material)
Specific Requirements: Employers must provide workplace safety training, establish exposure controls, maintain records, and update safety data sheets as required by law
