Product Name: Kolliphor HS 15
Chemical Nature: Polyoxyl (15) hydroxystearate
Common Use: Non-ionic surfactant in pharmaceutical formulations and personal care products
Appearance: Waxy, semi-solid substance, color ranging from white to pale yellow, slight characteristic odor
Active Components: Ethoxylated 12-hydroxystearic acid, typically derived from castor oil, with around 15 ethylene oxide units per molecule
Classification: Not classified as dangerous under GHS criteria for most routes of exposure
Main Risks: Eye irritation, mild skin irritation, risk of respiratory discomfort if aerosolized or heated
Exposure Routes: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, accidental ingestion
Symptoms: Redness, discomfort, slight swelling in sensitive individuals
Fire Hazard: May emit hazardous fumes upon decomposition but not highly flammable under normal use
Active Ingredient: Polyoxyl (15) hydroxystearate, content typically ranges above 95%
Chemical Formula: C18H36O3, ethoxylated with ethylene oxide (exact structure depends on supplier process)
Impurities: Minimal, often small residuals from raw feedstock or processing reagents; generally within regulatory thresholds for excipients
Skin Contact: Rinse thoroughly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing
Eye Contact: Flush gently under running water for several minutes, seek medical attention if irritation persists
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, seek relief if coughing or discomfort continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water, seek medical advice if large amounts are swallowed or discomfort follows
Extinguishing Options: Water spray, foam, dry chemical powder, CO2
Decomposition Risks: Burns at high temperatures produce acrid smoke, carbon oxides, and minor aldehydes
Protective Gear: Standard firefighting gear; self-contained breathing apparatus for confined fires
Special Notes: Runoff may pollute waterways; prevent water used for firefighting from entering drains
Personal Protection: Gloves, goggles, coveralls recommended during cleanup
Containment: Gather spilled product mechanically, avoid generating dust, use non-sparking tools
Environmental Caution: Prevent runoff into waterways or soil; sweep and collect residue for disposal
Ventilation: Work area should be well ventilated to disperse any vapors or drying aerosol droplets
Handling Advice: Avoid direct contact; work under well-ventilated conditions
Safe Storage: Store in cool, dry location, tightly sealed containers, out of direct sunlight or heat sources
Incompatibilities: Avoid strong oxidizers, acids, or alkali materials
Label Information: Follow recommended pictograms and standard storage notations for non-volatile surfactant compounds
Limitations: No established occupational exposure limits
Personal Protection: Gloves, goggles, lab coat; avoid inhalation of fine particulates or vapor
Ventilation Requirements: Local exhaust for bulk handling or melting
Hygiene: Routine hand washing, minimize dust generation; avoid eating, drinking, or smoking during use
Appearance: Waxy solid or thick paste, faint yellow tint
Odor: Slight, fatty or wax-like
Melting Point: Typically between 30°C and 40°C
Solubility: Well soluble in water, forming clear to slightly opalescent solutions
Density: Ranges 1.05–1.1 g/cm3 at 20°C
pH (1% solution): Neutral to slightly acidic, typically ~6–7
Viscosity: Medium to high in concentrated aqueous solutions
Explosion Properties: Not explosive
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions, no self-polymerization or significant breakdown
Incompatibles: Strong oxidizing agents, concentrated acids or bases
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not occur
Decomposition: Prolonged heating releases carbon oxides, possible minor aldehydes
Acute Toxicity: Low acute oral and dermal toxicity in laboratory tests
Eye Irritation: Slight to moderate with direct exposure
Skin Irritation: Low hazard, though sensitive skin may react
Carcinogenicity: No strong evidence linking to cancer in available animal studies
Chronic Effects: No established evidence of chronic health effects from routine use
Aquatic Toxicity: Low toxicity for most aquatic organisms, but large spills may impact local environments
Biodegradability: Biodegradable by nature’s standards, breaks down in water and soil over time
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely, breaks down before building up in aquatic food chains
Waste Impact: High concentrations may cause stress for microorganisms in water treatment systems
Preferred Disposal: Incineration or controlled landfill where allowed by local regulations
Small Quantities: Dilute and flush down the drain only in accordance with regional guidance
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse before recycling or follow local hazardous waste protocol
Avoid: Large uncontrolled releases to waste streams, open burning, or dumping in waterways
Regulatory Status: Not classified as dangerous goods for road, rail, sea, or air transport
Labeling: Standard shipping descriptions for chemical mixtures
Packing: Leakproof containers, avoid extreme temperature swings
Documentation: Shipping papers should include full product name and correct hazard categorization
Legal Listings: Included on most chemical inventories such as TSCA (USA), EINECS/ELINCS (EU), DSL (Canada)
Restrictions: None for typical pharmaceutical or cosmetic use; always check country-specific rules
Label Requirements: Must follow chemical safety labeling and REACH notifications where applicable
Worker Protections: General chemical safety standards apply; training in good laboratory/industrial practices recommended