Material Safety Data Sheet: Liquid Guanidine Hydrochloride

Identification

Product Name: Guanidine Hydrochloride, Liquid Solution
Synonyms: Guanidinium chloride solution, Aminoformamidine hydrochloride solution
CAS Number: 50-01-1
EC Number: 200-002-3
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, protein denaturant, nucleic acid isolation
Supplier Information: Supplier’s address, phone number, emergency contact provided by manufacturer

Hazard Identification

Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin and Eye Irritation
GHS Label Elements: Danger – Skull & Crossbones, Exclamation Mark
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin, causes skin and eye irritation, harmful if inhaled
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing mist/vapor, wear protective gear, wash hands after handling, keep out of reach of children
Potential Health Effects: Ingestion can lead to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain; inhalation can cause respiratory irritation; skin or eye exposure leads to redness or burns

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Guanidine Hydrochloride
Concentration: 6–8 M in aqueous solution (precise concentration specified by supplier)
Other Components: Water (balance), non-hazardous stabilizers (trace)
Impurities: May contain low-level residuals from synthesis; specification of purity provided by supplier

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, seek immediate medical attention
Skin Contact: Rinse area with water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical attention if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Flush eyes thoroughly with water for 15 minutes, ensure eyelids are held open, seek prompt medical care
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, call poison control or get medical help right away
Most Important Symptoms: Burning, irritation, nausea, headache, respiratory distress; medical observation may be necessary in all cases

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical powder, foam, or carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: High pressure water jets may spread the solution
Specific Hazards: Under fire, toxic and corrosive gases (hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides) may form
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters need full turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Firefighting Instructions: Cool containers near fire with water spray, prevent run-off from entering water sources or sewers

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, lab coat, and respirator if ventilation is poor
Environmental Precautions: Avoid discharge to drains, surface water, or soil; notify authorities in case of large spills
Spill Clean-Up Methods: Contain spill with inert absorbent (vermiculite, sand), scoop up solution, place into labeled waste container, wash area with water and detergent
Decontamination: Surfaces should be rinsed repeatedly to remove all traces; dispose of contaminated material according to regulations

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas, avoid contact with skin and eyes, do not breathe vapors, practice good hygiene (wash hands thoroughly after handling), avoid eating or drinking
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, protect from direct sunlight and incompatible materials (strong oxidizers, acids, bases)
Incompatibility: Avoid storage with strong oxidizing agents, bases, and reactive metals; unopened containers may be sensitive to moisture loss

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No established limit for guanidine hydrochloride; workplace control values may rely on engineering control and best practices
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, provide eyewash stations and safety showers nearby
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or butyl), safety goggles or face shield, lab coat or apron, respiratory protection if airborne concentrations arise
Hygiene Measures: No eating, drinking, or smoking in the working area; wash hands before breaks and at the end of work
Environmental Controls: Prevent spilled product from entering waterways or sewer systems by use of spill containment tools

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow solution
Odor: Mild amine-like odor
pH: Acidic to neutral (4.0–7.0, depending on solution strength)
Melting Point: Not applicable (aqueous solution)
Boiling Point: Approximately 100°C (212°F, water-based solution)
Density: Roughly 1.19–1.23 g/cm³ (varies with solute concentration)
Solubility: Completely soluble in water
Flash Point: Non-flammable
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Other Properties: Stable, but can corrode metals over time due to chloride content

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Not particularly reactive under ambient conditions; reacts strongly with oxidizing agents, acids, bases
Hazardous Decomposition: Decomposition under fire or extreme heat may produce hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides, cyanide compounds, and carbon oxides
Polymerization: Product does not undergo dangerous polymerization
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to extreme heat, incompatible materials, open flame

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, dermal contact, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 475 mg/kg; reported dermal and inhalation higher threshold yet associated with irritation
Health Effects: Short-term exposure can cause gastrointestinal upset, skin and eye burns, respiratory issues; repeated or prolonged exposure may impact liver and kidneys
Chronic Effects: No confirmed evidence for carcinogenicity or mutagenicity in humans, but caution should always be taken with laboratory-grade chemicals
Symptoms of Overexposure: Burning sensation, coughing, dizziness, nausea, headache
Medical Attention: Seek urgent medical care for any significant exposure, especially ingestion or splashes to the eyes

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Solution can be toxic to aquatic life at elevated concentrations, may cause adverse long-term effects in aquatic environments
Persistence and Degradability: Chemical degrades slowly in water, bioaccumulation in water systems considered low
Mobility: Readily disperses in water; adheres poorly to soil
Other Hazards: Avoid release to the environment; care taken in disposal and handling to minimize risk to streams, drains, or soil

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Method: Collect in a suitable, labeled container; dispose of as hazardous chemical waste following local, state, and federal regulations
Do Not: Pour into drains, watercourses, or onto soil
Container Disposal: Rinse containers thoroughly before discarding; dispose through specialized chemical waste services
Regulatory References: See specific waste codes and requirements as indicated in local environmental legislation

Transport Information

UN Number: 2811 (for toxic substances, varies with solution concentration)
Shipping Name: Toxic Liquid, Organic, N.O.S. (contains guanidine hydrochloride)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (toxic substance)
Packing Group: II or III (dependent on solution concentration and packaging)
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as a marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Transport with secure, leak-proof packaging; must include appropriate hazard labeling and documentation as required by shipping law

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Classified as hazardous; must be listed in workplace chemical inventories, SDS required
TSCA Inventory: Listed on the Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
SARA Title III: Not on Section 302 or 313 hazardous chemical lists; general reporting required
EU Regulation: REACH registered; hazard labeling in line with CLP regulation
Other Regulations: Complies with GHS for labeling and safety documentation; any workplace exposure or environmental release subject to national, regional, and local restrictions; employer must provide necessary employee training and personal protective equipment