Product Name: 2-(Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)Amino)Ethanesulfonic Acid
Synonyms: BES, N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid
Chemical Formula: C6H15NO5S
Molecular Weight: 213.25 g/mol
CAS Number: 10191-18-1
Supplier: Listed chemical suppliers, laboratories, and distributors
Recommended Use: Buffering agent in biochemistry and molecular biology applications
Contact Information for Emergencies: National Poison Control Center and local emergency responders hold relevant numbers to call during urgent events involving exposure.
Classification: Eye irritation (Category 2A); Skin irritation (Category 2); Not classified as acutely toxic
Label Elements: GHS pictogram for exclamation mark, signal word “Warning,” hazard statements such as “Causes serious eye irritation,” “Causes skin irritation”
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with skin and eyes, wash hands thoroughly after handling, wear eye protection, protective gloves
Potential Health Effects: Direct contact may spark redness, pain, and discomfort in eyes or on skin; ingestion in significant quantity triggers nausea or gastrointestinal upset; inhalation dust may irritate the respiratory tract
Environmental Hazards: Extensive spillage may disturb aquatic environments, although not classified as highly hazardous.
Chemical Name: 2-(Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)ethanesulfonic acid
CAS Number: 10191-18-1
Concentration: More than 98% by weight
Impurities: Trace inorganic salts and manufacturing residuals (typically less than 2%)
Other Information: No additives or stabilizers included in standard packaging for laboratory or industrial applications.
Eye Contact: Rinse instantly with gentle stream of water for at least 15 minutes, holding eyelids apart, remove contact lenses if safe and possible
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek attention if irritation remains obvious after first washing
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep individual warm and at rest, get medical advice if symptoms of respiratory distress develop
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, drink water or milk if conscious and alert, never induce vomiting without medical advice, consult healthcare provider
Delayed or Immediate Effects: Delayed symptoms rare, most responses appear soon after exposure and resolve fully with prompt first aid.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or regular foam control limited fire risk in chemical storage
Special Hazards: Heating generates sulfur oxides, carbon oxides, and nitrogen oxides which may irritate eyes and lungs
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Standard self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), chemical-resistant clothing
Firefighting Guidance: Stay upwind, move containers from fire area if safe, cool containers exposed to heat with water mist
Fire/Explosion Risks: Not classified as a flammable or explosive solid under normal handling, dust buildup rarely forms combustible clouds but avoidance of fine powder accumulations is wise.
Personal Precautions: Use personal protective gear (gloves, goggles, respirator mask if dust develops); evacuate unnecessary personnel from immediate area
Spill Cleanup Methods: Sweep up dry powder without creating dust, collect in sealable containers for disposal, wash affected area with water, ventilate space thoroughly
Environmental Precautions: Prevent powder from entering drains or water bodies, contain spill with barriers or absorbents
Decontamination: Wash residue with excess water and check pH of cleaned surface before returning to regular use
Disposal: Dispose collected material according to local hazardous waste protocols.
Safe Handling: Keep container closed, avoid inhaling powder and contact with skin and eyes, practice good industrial hygiene by washing hands after use
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry location away from incompatible substances (such as oxidizers), shield from direct sunlight and moisture
Storage Packaging: Use high-density polyethylene or glass bottles; tightly sealed to reduce humidity exposure
Incompatible Products: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids and bases
Specific Storage Problems: Storage under ambient laboratory or warehouse conditions gives optimal stability for most applications.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established limits by OSHA, ACGIH, or NIOSH for BES in air
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation or fume hoods reduce airborne particle concentration
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or latex), tight-fitting safety goggles, protective laboratory coat; dust mask or respirator for handling large quantities or high dust
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and forearms after handling, do not eat or drink near chemical workspace, remove contaminated clothing promptly
Environmental Controls: Prevent environmental release of powder, use secondary containment in work areas.
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
pH (1% solution): Typically between 6.7 to 7.3
Melting Point: Decomposes around 300°C (572°F); may not display clear melting
Boiling Point: Not applicable (solid decomposes before boiling)
Solubility: Highly soluble in water (over 50g/100ml at 20°C)
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient temperature
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Not expected to bioaccumulate due to high solubility in water
Density: Approximately 1.41 g/cm³
Other Data: Hygroscopic; absorbs moisture from air, absorbs no meaningful odor or flavor during storage changes.
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal laboratory and warehouse conditions without significant reactivity
Conditions to Avoid: Excess heat, sources of ignition, long-term exposure to moisture or damp environments
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, acids, or bases may provoke unpleasant reaction or degradation over time
Decomposition Products: Thermal breakdown emits carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not undergo violent polymerization, even after long storage.
Routes of Exposure: Eyes, skin, inhalation of dust, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) estimated as greater than 2000 mg/kg; considered low toxicity at standard laboratory concentrations
Irritation: Eye contact triggers redness and pain; skin exposure leads to dryness or rash in rare instances
Sensitization: Not identified as a skin or respiratory sensitizer
Chronic Effects: No established data for carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or reproductive effects
Target Organs: Not known to target specific organs under routine exposure
Symptoms of Overexposure: Redness, mild pain, respiratory tract irritation given very high airborne concentration.
Environmental Fate: Water soluble, mobile in soil and aquatic systems, will dilute and disperse readily
Persistence and Degradability: Expected to remain stable in neutral aquatic settings, but not recognized as persistent organic pollutant
Bioaccumulation Potential: Negligible, due to fast metabolism and high solubility
Ecotoxicity Data: No recorded acute aquatic toxicity at standard laboratory or research buffer levels
Other Adverse Effects: Large accidental releases may cause localized ecosystem disruption from oxygen depletion or changes to natural pH.
Disposal Methods: Collect powder and contaminated items in sealed, labeled containers
Waste Disposal: Follow official chemical waste procedures, never flush large quantities to sewer, consult with hazardous waste provider for final destruction
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse glass or plastic thoroughly before recycling or disposal, present information about chemical residues to disposal service
Regulatory Waste Codes: Check local and national regulations before disposal, as buffer chemicals may not be listed under special waste codes.
UN Number: Not assigned for BES, not considered a dangerous good under international transport regulations
Transport Hazard Class: None required, ships as non-regulated chemical
Packaging Requirements: Use secure, sealed, clearly labeled containers to prevent leaks
Special Precautions: Protect cargo from moisture and extreme temperatures during transit
Shipping Name: 2-(Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)Amino)Ethanesulfonic Acid or laboratory buffer reagent, packaged per standard lab safety protocols.
US Regulations: Not subject to TSCA restrictions as a research chemical, not listed as hazardous by OSHA, EPA SARA Title III, or CERCLA
EU Classification: Not classified as hazardous according to the latest Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP); listed on EINECS
Other International Listings: Listed in Japan (ENCS), Canada (DSL), Australia (AICS)
Labeling: Consistent with GHS for mild irritants, includes safety reminders for eye and skin protection, no extreme hazard symbols applied
Community Right-to-Know: No strict reporting for small-scale research or laboratory use.
