© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Chemical Name: L-Serine
Other Names: 2-Amino-3-hydroxypropanoic acid
Appearance: White crystalline powder
Odor: No significant odor
Uses: Amino acid used in pharmaceuticals, food supplements, biochemical research
CAS Number: 56-45-1
Potential Health Hazards: L-Serine normally gets classified as non-hazardous for routine laboratory or industrial handling, but there’s no reason to skip precautions. Inhaling dust or accidentally swallowing a large amount may upset the stomach, cause mild respiratory irritation, or prompt mild skin or eye reactions. Evidence rarely points to anything more severe, but it's smart to stay vigilant and prevent unnecessary exposure.
GHS Classification: Not considered hazardous under most classification systems used across North America, Europe, or East Asia.
Labeling Signal Words: None typically required
Component: L-Serine
Chemical Formula: C3H7NO3
Purity: Most samples used in lab or supplement settings exceed 98% purity.
Common Impurities: Trace water, extremely small amounts of related amino acids, residual reagents from production
Inhalation: Move any affected individual to fresh air and help them breathe easy, rather than leaving them exposed inside a lab or workroom with airborne dust.
Skin Contact: Rinse skin under clean running water to clear away dust or powder that settled during use. Mild soap helps finish the job if a sticky residue stays behind.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes under gently running water for several minutes, blinking to help clear away all granules. No rushing: patience helps prevent irritation.
Ingestion: Accidentally swallowing a tiny amount during normal use usually won’t do much, but drinking water and taking a break provides some reassurance. Seek medical attention for persistent upset or unusual reactions.
Flammability: Not known for bursting into flames under normal work conditions, but enough dust suspended in air might trigger a flare.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, CO2, or foam put out fires as effectively as for most basic organic powders.
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters wear standard respiratory protection to stay clear of smoke and powder that mixes with fumes during a blaze.
Combustion Risks: Burning material releases carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides—nothing pleasant, so ventilate well if a fire starts.
Cleanup Procedures: Scoop or gently sweep up spills without stirring up dust clouds. If a large amount covers the floor, use damp towels or sponges for finer particles.
Protective Equipment: Gloves, dust masks or respirators, and protective eyewear always pay off in crowded labs or manufacturing spaces.
Environmental Considerations: Keep spills away from drains and running water. L-Serine probably won’t poison local organisms at routine levels, but it never hurts to keep workspaces tidy and separate from public waterways.
Handling: Handle in well-ventilated spaces and try to avoid direct contact with eyes, nose, and mouth. Clean, designated tools keep cross-contamination at bay.
Storage: Store in tightly sealed containers, away from strong acids, bases, and oxidizing materials. Keep away from moisture since L-Serine has a talent for soaking up water vapor. Store at room temperature, although cold, dry shelves stretch out shelf life.
Incompatible Materials: Steer clear of strong oxidizers and extremes of acid or base—a wise guideline for most amino acids.
Occupational Exposure Limits: None set specifically for L-Serine under OSHA, ACGIH, or European standards, but dust in general should remain below 10 mg/m³.
Ventilation: Use general room ventilation or fume hoods during weighing and mixing.
Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves and safety glasses always make sense where powders get handled. Dust masks help if airborne concentration climbs.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling. Keep eating and drinking out of work areas where L-Serine gets measured or weighed.
Physical State: Solid, crystalline powder
Color: White
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: Reports typically range from 222°C to 230°C
Solubility: Soluble in water, especially hot water
pH (5% solution): Usually sits between 5.2 and 6.2
Vapor Pressure: Not volatile
Boiling Point: Not practical for a solid—thermal decomposition comes first
Density: About 1.6 g/cm³
Stability: Not prone to sudden reactions at room temperature
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions of laboratory storage and common handling routines.
Reactivity: May react with strong acids or strong oxidizing agents if mixed in concentrated forms.
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid long-term exposure to high heat, unsealed humid air, and chemical combinations with oxidizers.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Burning generates CO, CO2, and nitrogen oxides.
Acute Toxicity: Research points to low oral toxicity; animal studies rarely show problems at levels found in typical lab, food, or medical settings.
Skin Irritation: No significant skin reactivity in standard testing
Eye Irritation: Dust in the eye produces mild irritation like other amino acids if not rinsed quickly
Sensitization: No known allergic sensitization from normal workplace or dietary exposure
Long-Term Effects: Most evidence suggests L-Serine doesn’t build up in the body or cause health risks from regular, routine handling.
Ecotoxicity: L-Serine does not raise red flags for chronic aquatic or soil toxicity, tipping the scales in favor of environmental safety—not an invitation to dump it, but a signal that emergencies rarely lead to ecological trouble.
Persistence: Broken down easily in soil and water by naturally present microorganisms
Bioaccumulation: No serious threat; L-Serine works its way through food chains without building up as a toxin.
Waste Disposal: Collect any solid or slurry waste in sealed plastic or glass containers. Take unused or spilled L-Serine to chemical waste collection—never down the drain. Standard municipal waste centers usually approve disposal alongside general laboratory organics but double checking with local hazardous waste programs avoids trouble.
Decontamination: Rinse surfaces and tools thoroughly so that small particles don’t shift unexpectedly into shared water or soil sources.
Transportation Classification: Not classified as dangerous for road, rail, air, or sea.
Packaging Needs: Leak-proof, airtight containers protect against spills and exposure to moisture during shipment.
International Shipment: Follows general protocols for non-hazardous biochemicals—no special labeling or hazard identification needed on transit documents.
Regulatory Status: L-Serine doesn’t fall under controlled or hazardous classifications under REACH, OSHA, or Canadian WHMIS codes.
Labeling: Simple ingredient list plus batch tracking for food and research grades give traceability.
Recordkeeping: Safe use still benefits from routine logging of storage location, volume stocked, and expiration period in medium-to-large institutions.
Worker Training: Proper handling and personal hygiene training help keep usage safe and ensure L-Serine remains a low-risk tool across all settings.
