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Product Name: Giemsa Solution
Synonyms: Giemsa Stain, Giemsa’s Reagent
Product Use: Laboratory staining of blood films and parasites
Manufacturer: Sigma-Aldrich / MilliporeSigma
Emergency Phone Number: Available on product label
CAS Number: Proprietary mixture (contains methanol: 67-56-1, glycerol: 56-81-5, azure dyes, eosin Y)
GHS Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 2), Acute toxicity oral and inhalation (Category 3), Skin and eye irritant (Category 2), Target organ toxicity (methanol exposure to eyes, CNS, kidneys)
Hazard Statements: Causes skin and eye irritation; Highly flammable liquid and vapor; May cause respiratory irritation, dizziness, or drowsiness; May damage organs (methanol: eyes, liver, kidneys) through prolonged or repeated exposure
Pictograms: Flame, Exclamation Mark, Health Hazard
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Phrases: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, clothing; Wear appropriate PPE; Use with adequate ventilation; Keep away from heat, sparks, open flame
Methanol: 50-70% (CAS 67-56-1)
Glycerol: 5-10% (CAS 56-81-5)
Azure B: 0.1-1% (CAS 531-55-5)
Eosin Y: 0.1-1% (CAS 17372-87-1)
Other dyes (methylene blue, eosinate): Proprietary amounts
Water: Balance
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately; provide artificial respiration if breathing has stopped; seek medical attention for persistent symptoms, especially if exposure to methanol vapor, due to risk to the central nervous system and vision.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; rinse exposed skin with running water for at least 15 minutes; wash with soap to remove residues; seek medical care if irritation develops.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, holding lids apart; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; seek immediate ophthalmological evaluation for ongoing irritation, pain, or visual changes.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth with water only if patient is fully conscious; seek urgent medical help, especially if methanol is ingested – blindness and severe toxicity possible.
Most Important Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, respiratory difficulties, skin or eye inflammation, possible blindness (with methanol uptake).
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, foam, dry chemical powder; water spray can be used to cool unaffected containers.
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jet may spread burning liquid.
Fire Hazards: Vapors can form explosive mixtures with air; container may rupture on heating.
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing; approach from upwind to prevent inhalation of toxic fumes.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, toxic nitrogen oxides.
Personal Precautions: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, protective goggles, lab coat, and appropriate respiratory protection.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, surface water, or soil to avoid groundwater contamination with methanol and dyes.
Spill Cleanup Methods: Ventilate area; use non-sparking tools; contain spillage with inert material like sand or diatomaceous earth; collect residues into properly labeled chemical waste containers; wash spill site after removal.
Large Spills: Evacuate area and notify fire and environmental authorities.
Safe Handling: Handle in a chemical fume hood to avoid inhaling vapors; avoid open flames or sources of static discharge; use tools and containers rated for flammable liquids.
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers, acids, alkalis, sources of ignition, heat.
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed, properly labeled containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight or incompatible materials; keep away from food and drink.
Special Notes: Ensure eyewash stations and safety showers remain accessible; limit access to trained personnel.
Occupational Exposure Limits: Methanol: OSHA PEL 200 ppm, ACGIH TLV 200 ppm, STEL 250 ppm; no established limit for Giemsa dye mixture.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust or general laboratory ventilation; fume hoods required for large preparations.
Personal Protection: Chemical splash goggles, nitrile or butyl gloves, laboratory coat, closed footwear; use respirators if airborne concentrations exceed permissible limits or in spill situations.
Hygiene Measures: Avoid eating, drinking, smoking; wash hands thoroughly after use; remove contaminated clothing.
Appearance: Purple or blue liquid
Odor: Characteristic alcohol (methanol) odor
pH: Typically near neutral or slightly basic (6.5 - 7.5)
Melting/Freezing Point: Below -97°C (due to methanol content)
Boiling Point: 64.7°C (methanol component); higher for full mixture
Flash Point: Approx. 11°C (52°F), highly flammable
Evaporation Rate: Fast (methanol)
Relative Density: Around 0.95–1.1 g/cm³
Solubility: Miscible with water and alcohol
Vapor Pressure: Elevated at room temperature (methanol 96 mmHg at 20°C)
Vapor Density: 1.11 (methanol)
Partition Coefficient: Not determined for mixture, methanol log Pow: -0.77
Autoignition Temperature: 464°C (methanol)
Decomposition Temperature: Not established for mixture
Chemical Stability: Stable in sealed containers under recommended storage conditions.
Reactivity: Dangerous when near heat, flame, or strong oxidizers.
Hazardous Reactions: Contact with oxidizing agents or acids may cause strong exothermic reactions.
Hazardous Decomposition: Releases toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, possible traces of formaldehyde on burning.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, eye contact.
Acute Effects: Methanol causes central nervous system depression, headache, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, blindness, and death at high doses. Dyes may stain skin but are not acutely toxic in these concentrations.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated skin contact can result in dermatitis; chronic inhalation of methanol leads to liver and kidney effects, possible reproductive toxicity, and persistent neurological symptoms.
Carcinogenicity: No component classified as carcinogenic or probable by NTP, IARC, or OSHA at typical exposure levels.
Medical Conditions Aggravated: Persons with skin, eye, or respiratory conditions may experience increased symptoms with exposure.
Aquatic Toxicity: Methanol is moderately toxic to aquatic life; dyes may persist and cause discoloration of watercourses.
Persistence/Degradability: Methanol biodegradable rapidly; dyes persist and accumulate in sediment.
Bioaccumulation: Methanol does not bioaccumulate; significant environmental build-up from dyes unlikely at laboratory usage scales.
Mobility in Soil: Methanol readily migrates in soil and can contaminate groundwater.
Other Adverse Effects: Discharge into local waterways may impact water clarity and harm aquatic invertebrates.
Waste Disposal Methods: Collect waste in clearly marked containers; follow institutional and national disposal procedures for hazardous chemical waste; methanol and dye waste should not enter regular drains.
Disposal of Containers: Rinse chemical glassware thoroughly; deface labels before recycling or discarding containers.
Special Precautions: Contact licensed chemical waste disposal service for incineration or chemical treatment.
UN Number: UN1230 (Methanol Solution)
Proper Shipping Name: Methanol Solution
Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquids)
Packing Group: II
Labels: Flammable Liquid
Special Transport Precautions: Keep away from strong oxidizers, ignition sources, and foodstuffs during transport; use appropriate chemical packaging.
US Federal Regulations: Methanol listed on SARA Title III Section 313; subject to TSCA Inventory; OSHA hazardous chemical.
EU Regulations: Giemsa solution classified under CLP Reg. (EC) No 1272/2008; methanol component subject to REACH Annex III.
Canada: Methanol included in WHMIS schedule; Giemsa solution regulated by Health Canada.
Labeling Requirements: Conforms to latest versions of GHS, OSHA HCS, and international shipping regulations.
