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Chemical Name: D-Trehalose
Synonyms: α,α-Trehalose, Mycose
Chemical Formula: C12H22O11
Molecular Weight: 342.3 g/mol
Appearance: A white, crystalline powder without a distinctive odor. In labs and industry, this is the physical form most employees recognize. D-Trehalose stays stable under common storage conditions and does not cake easily.
GHS Classification: Not classified as a hazardous substance
Main Hazards: May cause mild respiratory or skin irritation from repeated contact. No recognized acute toxicity for humans, though anyone with significant exposures will want to avoid inhaling fine dust. Personal observations often confirm the limited hazard profile, aligning closely with data on other simple sugars.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact. Risk emerges chiefly from dust generation in production and packaging settings.
Ingredient: D-Trehalose (≥99%)
Impurities: Trace levels of other saccharides can occur, but regulatory authorities typically consider these negligible given the stringent purification during manufacturing. Workers generally report no significant issues stemming from ingredient variability at this level of purity.
Eye Contact: Rinse with flowing water for several minutes. If irritation continues, get medical advice. Protecting the eye in dust-producing activities makes up a practical preventive action.
Skin Contact: Wash with water. No special remedy required. Prolonged, repeated exposure may generate dryness.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. For persistent cough or discomfort, talk to a medical professional.
Ingestion: Unlikely to cause harm in industrial settings. Swallowing small amounts does not call for urgent medical action.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water, foam, dry chemicals, or CO2. D-Trehalose does not support combustion readily, but as with many organic powders, dust clouds near ignition sources present a risk for fire.
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters facing dense smoke or dust plumes use self-contained breathing apparatuses.
Precautions: Fine dust may create explosive mixtures in air. Attention to housecleaning and dust collection recommendations from experienced operators cuts down nearly all risk here.
Personal Precautions: Wear protective goggles and gloves to prevent irritation.
Environmental Precautions: Keep away from drains and surface water when possible, although trehalose itself does not usually cause significant environmental harm at realistic release volumes.
Clean-Up Methods: Sweep or vacuum clean with non-sparking tools. Minimize dust creation. Most employees find cleanup straightforward, but prioritizing dust suppression pays off in improved air quality and comfort.
Handling: Avoid generating and inhaling dust. Use local exhaust ventilation. Eating, drinking, and smoking should not take place in storage or handling areas.
Storage: Store in tightly sealed containers in cool, dry, well-ventilated places. D-Trehalose may absorb moisture, leading to caking. Users storing trehalose in warehouses often keep it above floor level on pallets to avoid water damage and spoilage. Keeping the environment below 25°C makes handling easier and maintains product quality.
Engineering Controls: Provide proper ventilation in processing areas. Simple local exhaust fans kept near filling stations or mixers have proven effective.
Personal Protective Equipment: Dust masks or respirators, safety goggles, and gloves. Simple personal hygiene—hand washing and changing contaminated clothing—remains the cornerstone of protection in most real-world settings.
Exposure Limits: No established occupational exposure limits for D-Trehalose, yet it makes sense to follow general dust limit guidelines common in carbohydrate processing plants.
State: Solid
Color: White
Odor: Odorless
Solubility: Soluble in water; nearly insoluble in ethanol.
Melting Point: Around 97°C (decomposes)
pH (solution): Neutral to slightly acidic at 5% w/v in water.
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Boiling Point: Not applicable; decomposes before boiling
Other Characteristics: Non-volatile; does not generate offensive fumes. Dust particles may remain airborne in poorly ventilated work areas.
Chemical Stability: Stable under standard temperatures and pressures.
Reactivity: No dangerous reactions when stored and handled as directed. Avoid mixing with strong acids or oxidizers, a truism that reflects broader handling of carbohydrate-based materials.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal decomposition at high temperatures can make carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Polymerization: Not known to occur.
Acute Toxicity: Data and anecdotal evidence point to low toxicity. Laboratory animal studies have not shown significant adverse effects at practical exposure levels.
Irritation: Prolonged eye or skin contact with dust sometimes causes mild irritation.
Chronic Effects: No solid evidence connects long-term exposure to specific illnesses. Allergic reactions are rare but possible, usually in highly sensitized individuals working in food or pharmaceutical plants for years.
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive Effects: Not listed as carcinogenic. No reports of genetic or reproductive effects.
Other Findings: Trehalose is metabolized by humans much like other simple sugars, causing no distinct systemic effects outside of concerns for metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
Ecotoxicity: Does not persist or bioaccumulate in soil or water. Rapidly breaks down through microbial activity.
Aquatic Impact: High concentrations could lead to increased biological oxygen demand, though ordinary releases from spills or wash-down water do not upset local rivers or lakes.
Mobility: Will dissolve fully in water, move easily through soil.
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable.
Bioaccumulation: Not expected.
Product Disposal: Trehalose can go into landfills or be incinerated, following local regulations. Many facilities compost or flush dilute solutions into sewage systems without incident.
Container Disposal: Empty packages may be recycled or disposed of in common waste streams. Rinsing and minimizing powder residue before disposal makes the process cleaner, according to handling crews in food manufacturing operations.
Special Considerations: Avoid dumping significant quantities into drains or the environment.
UN Number: Not regulated for transport
Transport Hazard Class: None assigned
Packing Group: No special requirement
Other Info: Shipments of D-Trehalose do not require hazard labeling. Ship in sealed, sturdy containers to prevent contamination or moisture uptake. Most shippers simply track loads using batch records for traceability and quality assurance.
Global Inventory: Listed in chemical inventories such as US TSCA and EU REACH.
Food Additive Status: Approved for use as a food ingredient in most regions, supported by reviews from organizations like the FDA, EFSA, and WHO.
Workplace Safety: No occupational exposure limits established for D-Trehalose, though industrial best practices still dictate keeping airborne dust as low as possible.
Labeling: Does not require hazard pictograms or warning labels under GHS or OSHA regulations. Keeping workers informed about dust risks and ensuring basic training takes care of remaining concerns.
Other Considerations: Companies engaged in handling or processing trehalose put forward risk assessments and control measures as part of their compliance with labor and environmental protections, allowing safer workplaces for all involved.
