© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Chemical Name: Methyl Palmitate
Synonyms: Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester
CAS Number: 112-39-0
Appearance: Colorless or light yellow, oily liquid or waxy solid, faint odor and gets slippery on surfaces.
Common Use: Used in cosmetics, lubricants, flavorings, and research laboratories, so folks come across it more often than they realize.
GHS Classification: Not classified as a dangerous substance or mixture under typical regulatory lists, though every chemical deserves respect.
Health Risks: Mild irritation can show up in the eyes, skin, and airways, usually if someone figures it’s fine to go without gloves or goggles.
Environmental Effects: Large spills into water could coat surfaces and interfere with breathing for aquatic animals, showing how every spill has consequences beyond the person handling it.
Fire Risk: Burns with enough heat, so it can become a hazard in places where open flames and hot surfaces are common.
Component: Methyl Palmitate
Purity: Generally found above 98% in most lab or commercial uses
Impurities: Minor traces of other fatty acid esters, especially if made from natural oils, hinting at the importance of knowing where the stuff comes from.
Inhalation: Get fresh air as soon as possible if someone breathes in vapors, just like with any chemical that lingers in enclosed spaces.
Skin Contact: Wash area thoroughly with water and mild soap, especially important if exposure goes beyond just a small splash.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for a good few minutes, making sure contacts are out because that’s always the first thing folks forget.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, and avoid giving anything by mouth to someone unconscious. Call for medical attention if a large amount gets swallowed, even though the stuff isn’t usually that toxic.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Foam, dry chemical, or CO2 all work better than plain water, which tends to spread the oily mess.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Expect classic carbon oxides like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide when flames hit, so always stay upwind and let professionals handle bigger fires.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need full gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus, since burning chemicals can trick people by looking tame but giving off toxic smoke.
Personal Protection: Gloves, eye protection, and sometimes a mask, especially if spills happen inside with little airflow.
Spill Response: Scoop up with absorbent materials like sand or vermiculite; avoid flushing into drains, because wastewater plants aren't set up to handle oil slicks.
Environmental Precautions: Block off entry points to sewers and waterways, recognizing that even small leaks can find their way to places where they don’t belong.
Clean-Up: Put waste into containers and send off for disposal, never down the sink or in regular trash.
Handling: Don’t eat or smoke around it, even if it doesn't smell that strong or seem hazardous. Gloves and goggles cut down the chances of skin or eye problems.
Storage: This stuff prefers cool, well-ventilated areas, away from direct sunlight, sparks, and incompatible chemicals. Reseal containers right after use, because once the cap gets left off, odd things start to grow in almost any lab or storage room.
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers and acids will cause problems, so there’s no sense storing them side by side.
Engineering Controls: Work with good ventilation where fumes or vapors could build up, especially in awkward corners of basements or workshops.
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles, lab coats, and chemical-resistant gloves lower the odds of getting a surprise rash or red eyes.
Hand Protection: Nitrile gloves usually hold up well, while latex sometimes degrades in oils.
Eye Protection: Chemical splash goggles make more sense than plain glasses if splashes are likely.
Respiratory Protection: Masks or respirators become useful if vapor levels climb; usually uncommon, unless working with large open trays or at high temperatures.
Physical State: Liquid or waxy solid depending on room temperature
Color: Clear to light yellow
Odor: Mild, wax-like
Melting Point: Around 30°C
Boiling Point: Nearly 215°C at normal pressure
Solubility: Doesn’t mix with water, dissolves in common organic solvents
Flash Point: Usually about 113°C, which should keep users on their toes near heat sources
Density: Roughly 0.87 g/cm³, so spills can spread fast over surfaces
Vapor Pressure: Low under normal conditions, so fumes don’t flood a room unless heated
Chemical Stability: Holds up well at room temperature and proper storage, but starts to break down with heat or open flames.
Reactivity: Can react with strong oxidizers, leading to higher fire risks.
Decomposition Risks: Heat and direct fire break down the molecule, kicking off gases like carbon monoxide, an invisible hazard in closed spaces.
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity through inhalation, skin, or ingestion at levels likely encountered in daily use, though it’s always risky to assume a “natural” substance is harmless.
Irritation: May cause temporary redness or discomfort where it touches skin or eyes for some people.
Long-Term Exposure: Limited studies on chronic effects, but heavy exposures to esters in general sometimes cause dry skin or other irritation.
Carcinogenicity: No classification as a cancer hazard, yet good practice dictates reduced exposure whenever possible.
Sensitization: No strong evidence for allergic reactions, but every person handles chemicals a bit differently.
Environmental Fate: Not quickly degraded in the environment. Fatty esters tend to stick around unless broken down by sunlight or bacteria, so spills persist longer in cold or dark spots.
Aquatic Toxicity: Not highly toxic by itself, but floating layers reduce oxygen exchange in water, causing headaches for fish and other critters.
Persistence and Degradability: Slow, which supports keeping any leftovers properly managed.
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely to build up in living tissue in meaningful quantities, though long-term monitoring always helps catch issues early.
Waste Handling: Package waste for chemical recycling or incineration, following local rules instead of just pouring away.
Avoid: Don’t put down regular drains or landfill bins; separation keeps waterways cleaner for everyone downstream.
Container Reuse: Clean empty containers properly before recycling or discarding to avoid hidden residues causing later problems.
Shipping Considerations: Not regulated as a hazardous material for most transport methods, so local rules govern packaging and labeling.
Safe Practices: Tightly seal all packages, cushion against punctures and leaks, label clearly, and keep separate from incompatible chemicals and foods.
Spill Contingency: Carry spill kits where larger amounts travel, since even non-hazardous spills create slippery messes and contamination headaches.
International Listings: Included in major chemical inventories, such as TSCA and EINECS, reflecting its longstanding industrial and research use.
Workplace Rules: No specific exposure limits set by OSHA or similar bodies, but general duty to provide protection applies.
Product Restrictions: Not banned or heavily restricted, yet best practices and regional safety rules shape how and where it can be sold or used.
Waste Management: Local and national guidelines direct disposal steps, varying from simple incineration approvals to full hazardous waste handling.
