© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Name: Camphor
Chemical Formula: C10H16O
Common Forms: White crystalline solid or powder, strong odor
Uses: Medicinal applications, topical creams, moth repellents, flavoring, incense
Odor: Penetrating, with a medicinal aroma that lingers
Source: Terpene extracted from the wood of the camphor laurel tree and also derived synthetically
Main Risks: Combustible solid, irritant for eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
Acute Toxicity: Ingestion or inhalation can trigger nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, convulsions when exposure amounts climb
Long-Term Exposure: Chronic contact may lead to neurological symptoms
Risk Pictograms: Flammable, irritant, health hazard
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, ingestion, dermal contact
Environmental Warning: May threaten aquatic life if spilled in large quantities
Exposure Symptoms: Burning sensation, coughing, abdominal pain, possible seizures in severe cases
Main Component: Camphor (up to 100% in its purest form)
Chemical Family: Bicyclic monoterpene ketone
Impurity Considerations: Synthetically produced camphor may contain trace solvent residues depending on process
Natural Occurrence: May harbor small percentages of related terpenoids
If Inhaled: Remove the person to fresh air, keep at rest, loosen tight clothing, seek medical advice if symptoms persist
If Swallowed: Rinse mouth thoroughly, do not induce vomiting, monitor for drowsiness or confusion, seek immediate medical attention if large quantities have been ingested
If Contact with Skin: Remove contaminated clothing, wash exposed skin with plenty of water and soap, observe for irritation
If Contact with Eyes: Rinse eyes immediately with water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical advice if burning or watering continues
Special Case: Children especially susceptible to toxicity, seizures reported after even modest ingestions
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide for small fires; water spray for larger fires
Specific Hazards: Camphor dust can form explosive mixtures with air above certain concentrations; flames produce irritating fumes
Protective Equipment: Firefighters may need self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear when working around burning camphor
Fire Behavior: Melts, then burns quickly, and may emit heavy smoke
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unused area, ensure proper ventilation, avoid breathing dust or vapor
Environmental Precautions: Prevent bulk product from entering sewers, drains, or waterways
Cleanup Method: Scoop solid into sealed containers, vacuuming with a HEPA filter for fine dust; wash area with lots of water, avoid creating dust clouds
Protective Measures: Wear gloves, dust masks, goggles, and avoid direct skin contact
Handling: Keep the container tightly sealed, avoid rough treatment to prevent fracturing and spreading particles, open containers only in well-ventilated places
Storage: Store well away from heat sources, flames, and oxidizers; keep in cool, dry, well-ventilated, and locked area with clear labeling
Incompatibilities: Reacts with oxidizing agents like nitrates and strong acids; degrades plastics over time
Safety Advice: Use non-sparking tools, earth all containers to prevent static buildup in dusty environments
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL and ACGIH TLV both recommend keeping airborne concentrations under 2 mg/m3 (TWA)
Ventilation: Use engineering controls such as local exhaust or efficient general ventilation when handling bulk camphor
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles and face shield for eye protection, chemical-resistant gloves, lab coat or apron, NIOSH-approved dust respirator if ventilation is questionable
Work Practices: Regular handwashing and removal of contaminated clothes helps cut skin exposure rates in workplaces
Appearance: Transparent or white crystalline substance, sometimes sold as tablets or blocks
Odor: Penetrating, sharp, easily recognizable
Melting Point: About 175-177 °C
Boiling Point: 204 °C
Vapor Pressure: Significant at room temperature; sublimes easily
Solubility: Poorly soluble in water, freely soluble in alcohols and ether
Density: About 0.99 g/cm3
Flash Point: 65–75 °C
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions without strong heat or exposure to air
Potential Hazards: Reacts vigorously, possibly violently, with strong oxidizers and acids
Decomposition: Thermal breakdown forms acrid smoke, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide
Incompatibility: Avoid storage with nitro compounds, peroxides, strong acids, and bases
Polymerization: Does not polymerize, but can sublimate and redeposit as solid crystals in closed spaces
LD50 (oral, rat): Approximately 1,310 mg/kg according to published toxicology data
Routes of Exposure: Can induce symptoms through ingestion, skin absorption, and inhalation
Short-Term Effects: Central nervous system excitement, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscular twitches, convulsions
Long-Term Effects: Chronic inhalation may contribute to headaches and liver effects
Special Populations: Young children and people with underlying neurological conditions face higher risk from entirely modest exposures
Environmental Fate: Volatile and subject to atmospheric dispersion, not persistent in soil over time
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms in higher concentrations; run-off from significant spills will hurt fish and other life
Biodegradability: Degrades under aerobic conditions, not considered persistent
Bioaccumulation: Does not tend to accumulate in the food chain, yet caution warranted due to effects on smaller water organisms
Disposal Method: Collect in sealed, clearly marked containers, send to chemical waste incinerator or a hazardous waste landfill
Sewage Disposal: Avoid at all costs — camphor is poisonous to aquatic organisms and will load up municipal water with undesirable chemicals
Special Notes: Never burn in open air, and do not mix with household garbage
Shipping Class: Classified as hazardous for land and sea, not to be shipped with foodstuffs or oxidizers
Packing: Must ship in tightly closed containers with clear hazard labeling
Spillage in Transport: Requires evacuation of area, use of protective gear by cleanup crews, careful collection for proper disposal
Regulations: Covered by international transport codes for hazardous chemicals
Workplace Regulations: Subject to mandatory exposure limits under health and safety standards in several countries
Labeling: Must display clear hazard symbols, warnings about fire, toxicity, and environmental hazard
Controlled Use: Restricted for certain applications, particularly those involving children’s medications and food flavoring
Environmental Controls: Effluent guidelines may limit allowable discharge to water and air
Reporting Requirements: Large scale users may need to maintain logs and submit use or spill data to local regulatory bodies
