Material Safety Data Sheet: Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)

Identification

Product Name: Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Synonyms: Methyl sulfoxide, DMSO
Chemical Formula: C2H6OS
CAS Number: 67-68-5
Recommended Use: Solvent in laboratories, pharmaceuticals, cryopreservation
Manufacturer/Supplier: Please refer to container label for specific provider
Contact Information: Emergency telephone numbers can be found on label and supplier’s website

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 4), Skin irritation (Category 2), Eye irritation (Category 2A)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes skin and serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation, combustible liquid
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, flame
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, avoid contact with eyes and skin, wear protective gear, wash hands thoroughly after use
Potential Health Effects: Absorbs rapidly through skin, may increase transport of other chemicals
Environmental Risks: Not classified as environmentally hazardous but can facilitate transport of other toxic substances

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Common Name: DMSO
Concentration: >99% pure
Impurities: May contain trace solvents (typically <1%)
Hazardous Components: DMSO itself, consult supplier analysis for impurity profile

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses. Seek medical help if irritation persists.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash affected areas with plenty of water and soap. Seek medical attention for persistent irritation.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Get medical attention if symptoms develop.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting. Call poison control, seek medical help immediately.
Most Important Symptoms: Skin redness, stinging, headache, garlic-like body odor, possible worsening of effects for those with sensitive skin
Note to Physician: DMSO rapidly penetrates skin and may carry other dissolved substances along

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide
Fire Hazards: Combustible; emits toxic fumes of sulfur oxides on burning
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and full body protective gear
Firefighting Advice: Contain runoff, keep containers cool with water, evacuate personnel not involved in firefighting
Flammability Limits: Lower: 2% ; Upper: 42% (by volume in air)

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use protective gloves, clothing, eye protection; ventilate area
Environmental Precautions: Prevent leakage into drains, soil, surface water
Containment: Absorb spills with inert absorbent (vermiculite, sand), prevent contamination of environment
Cleanup Methods: Collect material in suitable, labeled containers, dispose in accordance with regulations
Decontamination: Flush spill site with copious amounts of water after material pick-up

Handling and Storage

Handling: Wear suitable protective equipment, avoid inhalation and skin contact, keep container tightly closed, use in well-ventilated spaces
Avoid: Exposure to heat, flames, sparks, incompatible substances including strong oxidizers, acids, halogens
Storage: Store in cool, dry, ventilated place away from ignition sources, use containers resistant to organic solvents
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, strong oxidizers, some metals such as sodium and lithium
Hygiene Practices: Wash thoroughly after handling, do not eat or drink around open containers

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hood or local exhaust ventilation
Exposure Limits: NIOSH REL: 250 ppm (TWA)
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, lab coat, splash goggles, face shield in case of large quantities
Respiratory Protection: Approved respirator in situations where vapor/aerosol is possible
Environmental Controls: Use closed systems if possible, avoid release to environment

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Slight sulfur/gasoline-like odor
Melting Point: 18.5°C
Boiling Point: 189°C
Flash Point: 87°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: 1 (Butyl acetate=1)
Solubility: Miscible with water, acetone, ethanol, chloroform
Vapor Pressure: 0.55 mm Hg (20°C)
Relative Density: 1.1 g/cm³ (20°C)
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): -1.35
Autoignition Temperature: 300°C
Decomposition Temperature: >189°C
Viscosity: 2.0 mPa·s (25°C)

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions
Reactivity: Avoid strong oxidizers, acids, halogens, and metals like sodium; can accelerate decomposition of reactive materials
Hazardous Decomposition: Emits formaldehyde, methyl mercaptan, sulfur oxides under fire conditions
Polymerization: Will not occur under normal use
Incompatible Materials: Capable of accelerating corrosion, avoid storing near incompatible substances

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 14,500 mg/kg, Dermal LD50 (rat): approximately 40,000 mg/kg
Potential Health Effects: Irritation to eyes and skin, headache, nausea, fatigue, enhanced transdermal absorption of chemicals
Chronic Effects: Prolonged skin contact may cause dermatitis, cases of reproductive toxicity are not well documented
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by NTP, IARC, or OSHA
Sensitization: Few documented cases; may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
Mutagenicity: Some experimental data in animals, implications still being researched

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Low acute toxicity to aquatic organisms, LC50 (Fish, 96h): 35,000 mg/L (rainbow trout)
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in aquatic environments
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low (log Kow below zero)
Mobility in Soil: High mobility, mixes easily with groundwater, increases migration of dissolved substances
Other Adverse Effects: May enhance transport of hazardous chemicals in environment if mixed or spilled with them

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations; consult hazardous waste authorities
Container Disposal: Containers should be drained, rinsed, and recycled or disposed in a permitted facility
Methods: Incineration preferred method where allowed; does not require advanced pretreatment
Precautions: Do not dispose of in municipal waste streams or sewer systems

Transport Information

UN Number: UN1993
Proper Shipping Name: Flammable liquid, n.o.s. (contains Dimethyl Sulfoxide)
Hazard Class: 3 (flammable liquid)
Packing Group: III
Label: Flammable
Special Precautions for Transport: Use approved containers, avoid sources of ignition in transit

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Hazardous, requires labeling and hazard communication
TSCA Inventory: Listed
SARA Title III: Not a reportable substance, not regulated under Section 302/304/313
REACH Status: Registered in the European Union
Other Regulations: Canadian DSL/NDSL: Listed; AICS (Australia): Listed; EINECS: 200-664-3
Labeling Requirements: GHS and local regulations, pictograms, hazard and precaution statements
Workplace Controls: Comply with exposure limits, workplace labeling, hazard communication legislation