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Product Name: Agarose
Chemical Family: Polysaccharide
CAS Number: 9012-36-6
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, electrophoresis
Supplier Information: Sourced from companies specializing in life science and molecular biology consumables.
Contact for Emergency: A laboratory supervisor, safety officer, or poison control center.
Classification: Not classified as hazardous according to GHS.
Physical Hazards: Minimal physical hazard; powdered form can create dust.
Health Hazards: Inhalation of dust may cause irritation of respiratory tract, coughing, or shortness of breath.
Environmental Hazards: Practically non-hazardous to the environment, but large quantities can cause mechanical blockage in water systems.
Label Elements: Not required under OSHA or EU regulations for agarose.
Signal Word: None required.
Chemical Name: Agarose
Synonyms: None relevant in standard use
Purity: 95–100% depending on grade
Molecular Formula: (C12H18O9)n
Main Impurities: Water, trace minerals, minor polysaccharide components.
Inhalation: Remove the person to fresh air; seek medical attention if breathing becomes difficult.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes; remove contact lenses if applicable.
Skin Contact: Wash with plenty of soap and water; consult a doctor if irritation persists.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; drink water if conscious; medical attention is recommended for discomfort.
Chronic Exposure: No chronic health effects reported in standard laboratory practices.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, foam.
Unsuitable Media: None identified for regular laboratory quantities.
Special Dangers: Dust clouds may create a minor explosion hazard in confined spaces.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective gear; standard protocol for organic powders applies.
Specific Firefighting Procedures: Fight from a safe distance; avoid inhalation of dust or combustion products.
Personal Precautions: Use personal protective equipment such as gloves, lab coat, dust mask or respirator if dusty.
Environmental Precautions: Avoid releasing large amounts of material into drains or waterways.
Containment: Carefully scoop spilled powder to prevent dust generation; avoid dry sweeping.
Cleanup Methods: Vacuum or damp sweeping recommended; wash area with water after collection.
Disposal: Collect waste in designated containers for laboratory waste; follow institutional guidelines.
Safe Handling: Avoid creating dust; use in well-ventilated areas.
Personal Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly after handling; don’t eat, drink, or smoke during use.
Precautions: Store with chemicals of similar hazard profiles; minimize exposure to ignition sources.
Storage Conditions: Keep container tightly closed; store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizing agents; store separately from such chemicals.
Packaging Materials: Use the original tightly sealed containers or compatible alternatives specified by supplier.
Exposure Limits: No specific occupational exposure limit established; treat as nuisance dust (10 mg/m³ total dust, 3 mg/m³ respirable fraction recommended).
Engineering Controls: Laboratory fume hood or local exhaust ventilation.
Personal Protective Equipment: Laboratory gloves, protective eyewear, lab coat.
Respiratory Protection: Use a dust mask or respirator if airborne concentrations increase.
Environmental Exposure Controls: Prevent uncontrolled releases to drains.
Appearance: White to off-white powder or granular solid.
Odor: Odorless.
Boiling Point: Not applicable.
Melting Point: Gel formation occurs at 35–42°C depending on grade; decomposition at higher temperatures.
Solubility: Insoluble in cold water; soluble in boiling water, forms gels on cooling.
pH (1% Solution): Approximately 6.0–7.5.
Flash Point: Not combustible under typical laboratory conditions.
Density: 1.6 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable.
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not determined.
Other Data: Stable under normal conditions.
Chemical Stability: Stable when stored as recommended.
Reactivity: No dangerous reactions identified under normal laboratory use.
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts with strong oxidizing agents; Avoid sources of ignition with dust.
Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide may form on combustion.
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid excessive heat, moisture, and strong oxidizers.
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity profile; no known oral or dermal toxicity in laboratory use.
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: May cause mild irritation on prolonged or repeated contact.
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Dust may irritate eyes mechanically.
Respiratory Sensitization: Inhalation of dust can cause nose and throat irritation.
Mutagenicity: Not mutagenic; commonly used in molecular biology.
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA.
Reproductive Toxicity: No evidence to suggest reproductive or developmental toxicity.
Chronic Toxicity: No observed adverse effects in long-term laboratory handling.
Aquatic Toxicity: Not expected to be toxic to aquatic organisms.
Degradability: Biodegradable; breaks down in soil and water.
Bioaccumulation Potential: No evidence of bioaccumulation.
Mobility in Soil: Expected to have low mobility as a polysaccharide.
Other Effects: High volumes may contribute to physical clogging of waterways if improperly disposed.
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of in accordance with regional, national, and local laws.
Recommended Disposal: Landfill or incineration with other organic waste; do not flush large quantities.
Packaging Disposal: Triple rinse containers before disposal; recycle or dispose as laboratory waste.
Special Precautions: Separate from incompatible materials during disposal and follow institutional protocols.
UN Number: Not regulated for transport.
Proper Shipping Name: Agarose, not hazardous.
Transport Hazard Class: Not assigned.
Packing Group: None applicable.
Environmental Hazards: No classification as marine pollutant.
Special Precautions: Prevent condensation or extreme heat exposure in transit; keep dry; package securely to avoid tearing.
OSHA: Not classified as hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
REACH Status: Meets the criteria for exemption as a polysaccharide.
TSCA: Listed or exempt.
EINECS/ELINCS: Listed.
WHMIS: Not controlled.
Other Regulations: No labeling required for laboratory use; subject to good laboratory practices as per institutional or local policies.
