MSDS for Ascorbic Acid

Identification

Product Name: Ascorbic Acid
Chemical Name: L-Ascorbic Acid
Synonyms: Vitamin C
CAS Number: 50-81-7
Recommended Uses: Used in food and beverages as an antioxidant, dietary supplement, preservative, and in pharmaceutical formulation. Common in cosmetic products aimed at skin brightening or anti-aging.
Supplier Information: Contact details for chemical supply companies, emergency numbers, technical service lines, and location of responsible plants or storage sites.

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS guidelines.
Signal Word: None
Hazard Statements: May cause irritation to eyes and skin. Inhalation of high concentrations may irritate respiratory tract.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dusts. Wash hands after handling. Wear protective gloves and safety goggles.
Potential Health Effects: Eyes: Redness, itchiness, irritation. Skin: Mild dryness or irritation in prolonged contact. Inhalation: Sneezing, coughing, throat irritation. Ingestion: Rarely harmful in small amounts; very high doses may cause gastrointestinal upset.
Environmental Effects: Not expected to cause environmental harm at recommended dosages.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: L-Ascorbic Acid
Concentration: 99–100%
CAS Number: 50-81-7
Impurities/ Additives: May contain trace levels of moisture; no hazardous stabilizers or byproducts in standard formulations.

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water for several minutes, keeping eyelids open. Remove contact lenses if present. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Seek medical help for persistent irritation.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air. Get medical advice if symptoms like cough or shortness of breath occur.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly. Drink water to dilute if larger quantity is swallowed. Contact poison control or medical professional if large amount is ingested or symptoms develop.
Most Important Symptoms/Effects: Eye and skin irritation, mild respiratory discomfort; serious effects are very rare.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide. Avoid using powerful water jets directly on material.
Special Hazards: Decomposition at high temperatures can generate carbon oxides. Fine particles suspended in air create risk for dust explosion in closed, unventilated spaces.
Advice for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear. Move containers away from fire if safe. Cool exposed containers with water spray.
Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, minor organic acids.
Fire-Fighting Procedures: Limit access to fire site. Prevent runoff to drains and watercourses.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use dust masks, safety goggles, and gloves. Avoid creating airborne dust. Ventilate area.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, soil, or waterways in large quantities.
Clean-Up Methods: Sweep or vacuum up without creating dust. Place material in labeled container for reuse or disposal. Use damp cloth for final wipe-down. Wash affected area with soap and water.
Methods to Prevent Secondary Hazards: Wash contaminated surfaces, check for residues. Collect for recovery or safe disposal.

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Avoid inhalation and prolonged skin contact. Handle with good industrial hygiene practices. Closing containers tightly after use prevents moisture contamination.
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly sealed original container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep away from heat, direct sunlight, oxidizing agents, and alkaline substances.
Specific End Uses: Consult supplier technical sheet for end-use handling recommendations. Bulk storage containers should be grounded to prevent static accumulation in dry powders.
Incompatibilities: Avoid storing with strong bases, oxidizers, or moisture-sensitive chemicals.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No established limits in most jurisdictions. Workplace dust limits may apply.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or enclosures in mixing or handling areas. Prevent powder accumulations.
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles, dust respirator (particularly in poorly ventilated or large-scale environments), and chemical-resistant gloves. Lab coat or overall for bulk handling. Wash hands thoroughly before eating or drinking.
General Hygiene Measures: Keep work area clean. Change contaminated clothing. Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in work area.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to slightly yellow crystalline powder.
Odor: Odorless to very faint acidic note.
pH (5% solution): 2.2–2.5
Melting Point: 190–192°C (with decomposition)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: 330 g/L in water at 20°C.
Vapor Pressure: Not appreciable at ambient temperature.
Density: 1.65 g/cm³
Flash Point: Not applicable.
Explosive Properties: Powder may form explosive dust-air mixtures in enclosed spaces.
Other Data: Stable under normal conditions of use and storage.

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions. Sensitive to moisture, light, and air; prolonged exposure decreases potency.
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts with oxidizing agents, alkaline substances, and strong bases; can degrade into less active byproducts.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sunlight, humidity, incompatible chemicals.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, small quantities of other organics on thermal decomposition.
Polymerization: Does not occur under normal circumstances.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) is over 11,900 mg/kg, indicating low toxicity.
Skin/Eye Irritation: May cause mild irritation; no long-term damage expected at workplace exposures.
Sensitization: No evidence of sensitizing properties in humans or animals.
Chronic Effects: Daily recommended intake is easily met through food; very high-dose supplementation over extended periods may lead to kidney stones or stomach upset in susceptible individuals.
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive Toxicity: No evidence from animal or human studies.

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Not toxic to aquatic organisms in typical use concentrations.
Persistence/Degradability: Readily biodegradable; ascorbic acid breaks down into harmless substances in water, soil, and air.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Does not bioaccumulate.
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to water solubility; rapidly degraded in soils.
Other Adverse Effects: No significant long-term environmental risk under normal circumstances.

Disposal Considerations

Product Disposal: Small quantities can be washed away with water. For larger or industrial amounts, send for incineration or approved landfill according to local EPA or waste disposal regulations.
Container Disposal: Triple-rinse before reusing or recycling. Empty containers may be disposed of as non-hazardous waste unless contaminated.
Special Precautions: Avoid disposal near open water sources and drains in significant quantities.

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated under ADR, IMDG, IATA.
Transport Hazard Class: Non-hazardous for ground, sea, or air shipment.
Packing Group: Not assigned.
Environmental Hazards: None identified.
Special Precautions for Transport: Prevent package from exposure to moisture and excessive heat. Protect from damage in transit.

Regulatory Information

Labeling/Regulation: Not listed as hazardous or controlled under U.S. OSHA, Canadian WHMIS, EU REACH, or Australia's SUSMP.
TSCA Inventory: Listed.
DSL/NDSL (Canada): Listed.
SARA Title III: Not subject to reporting requirements.
REACH Status: Registered for permissible uses.
Other Local or International Listings: GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status for human ingestion under U.S. FDA.
Workplace Use Requirements: Follow local health and safety guidelines wherever applicable.