Product Name: Insulin
Chemical Name: Insulin solution, biosynthetic human or analog forms
Synonyms: Human insulin, recombinant insulin, insulin analogs
Product Use: Glycemic control in diabetes mellitus
Manufacturer: Listed on product labeling; check supplier details
Emergency Contact: Local emergency number, manufacturer’s safety desk
CAS Number: 11061-68-0 (human insulin)
UN Number: Not regulated as a hazardous material for transport
Hazard Classification: Not categorized as hazardous under GHS for physical or health risk
Route of Exposure: Injection; accidental contact, ingestion or inhalation unlikely
Health Hazards: Hypoglycemia risk for users, allergy risk for handlers with aggressive or repeated contact, possible local site reactions
Signs and Symptoms: Hypoglycemia (sweating, weakness), local rash, swelling
OSHA Regulatory Status: Not classified as hazardous
Label Elements: None required under current GHS guidelines
Active Ingredient: Human insulin (recombinant DNA origin or analog) 100 IU/mL (typical)
Excipients: Zinc chloride, metacresol/phenol or cresol (preservative), sodium chloride, glycerol, water for injection, possibly protamine (in NPH), buffer agents
Purity: Pharmaceutical grade, >95% insulin protein content
Impurities: Protein fragments, potential trace process residues
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, medical attention if symptoms develop (rare)
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water, seek care for allergic reaction
Eye Contact: Rinse with water, seek prompt medical advice if irritation persists
Ingestion: Accidental swallowing unlikely a significant risk; oral bioavailability nearly zero; seek medical advice
Injection (accidental or excessive dose): Treat for hypoglycemia – give oral sugar source if conscious, seek emergency medical assistance for symptomatic cases
Flammability: Non-flammable in aqueous solution
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water mist, dry chemical, CO₂, foam for surrounding fire
Hazardous Combustion Products: Thermal decomposition could yield carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides
Protective Equipment: Standard fire-fighting gear, self-contained breathing apparatus for smoke or fumes
Handling Fire Residues: Avoid direct contact, prevent entry into watercourses
Spill Procedures: Absorb with inert material (e.g. paper towel)
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, prevent exposure to skin and eyes, avoid breathing vapors
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release into drainage systems or soil
Cleanup Methods: Wipe up, dispose of solid absorbents safely, wash affected area with water and detergent
Disposal of Waste: Follow local pharmaceutical waste guidance, incinerate or land-fill as required, avoid discharge into streams
Safe Handling: Use in clean, well-ventilated spaces; avoid aerosol or dust formation
Hygienic Practices: Wash hands after handling, prevent contact with open cuts or eyes
Storage Conditions: Refrigerate at 2–8°C, shield from light, avoid freezing, store in original packaging
Incompatibilities: Do not store with oxidizing materials, strong acids
Shelf Life: Follow expiry on packaging, dispose after expiration
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established OSHA, ACGIH, or NIOSH limits
Engineering Controls: Standard laboratory ventilation for bulk handling
Personal Protection: Gloves (nitrile or latex), protective glasses for bulk operations, disposable lab coat
Respiratory Protection: Not needed under normal conditions, dust mask for powder manipulation
Hygiene Measures: Do not eat, drink, or smoke during use, practice good hand hygiene
Appearance: Clear, colorless aqueous solution (most types), may be cloudy with protamine suspension (NPH)
Odor: None or faint preservative smell
pH: Typically 7.0–7.8
Melting/Freezing Point: Solution freezes like water near 0°C
Boiling Point: Similar to water, >100°C
Flash Point: Not applicable
Solubility: Miscible with water
Density: ~1 g/mL at room temperature
Viscosity: Comparable to water
Partition Coefficient: Not relevant (protein, water-based)
Chemical Stability: Stable under refrigeration, degraded by heat, sunlight, agitation
Hazardous Reactions: None under normal use
Materials to Avoid: Strong oxidizers, acids, bases, heavy metals, do not mix with other drugs unless proven safe
Decomposition Products: Thermal degradation yields oxides of carbon and nitrogen
Storage Life: Controlled by labeled expiration; compromised by temperature excursions
Acute Toxicity: Low oral toxicity, low inhalation risk; parenteral overdose causes hypoglycemia, potentially severe
Chronic Toxicity: None identified with proper use; long-term exposure does not cause carcinogenic or genotoxic effects
Irritation/Corrosivity: Non-irritant for occasional skin or eye contact, mild irritation reported with repeated exposure
Sensitization: Allergic reactions possible in sensitized individuals, rare with current recombinant products
Mutagenicity: Not mutagenic based on standard studies
Other Risks: Risk of anaphylaxis in susceptible individuals, rare with modern formulations
Environmental Toxicity: Protein rapidly degrades in environment, minimal persistence
Aquatic Effects: Non-toxic to aquatic species at expected release concentrations
Bioaccumulation: Not expected; rapid biodegradation
Mobility in Soil: Will bind to soil and organic matter, degraded quickly by microbes
Persistence: Decomposes under normal environmental conditions, no significant hazard
Disposal Methods: Treat unused insulin as pharmaceutical waste, follow local protocols; do not dispose into drains or normal trash
Container Disposal: Empty vials, cartridges, and pens: follow sharps or biomedical waste rules
Special Precautions: Prevent any potential release into aquatic environments
Incineration: Permitted under appropriate controls, verify with local waste programs
UN Classification: Not classified as a dangerous good according to UN, IATA, IMDG
Proper Shipping Name: Insulin, prescription medication
Transport Hazards: Avoid temperature extremes in transport, protect from freezing or high heat
Packaging: Insulin vials, prefilled pens or cartridges in temperature-controlled packaging; comply with pharmaceutical shipping standards
US Regulations: Approved prescription medication by FDA; not listed as hazardous by OSHA, CERCLA, SARA Title III
European Union: Regulated under EudraLex; not hazardous under CLP Regulation
Labeling: Follow FDA and local regulatory labeling requirements
Other Regulations: Subject to anti-tampering and prescription drug storage controls; disposal guided by DEA (US), EMA (EU), and local rules