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Product Name: Minimum Essential Medium (MEM)
Synonyms: Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium, MEM
Product Code: Common codes include M0643, M2279, M4655, and others depending on supplier
Recommended Use: Cell culture, laboratory reagent
Supplier: Provided by laboratory chemical supply companies such as Sigma-Aldrich, Thermo Fisher, or Gibco
Emergency Number: Usually given by the distributor, for example Chemtrec: 1-800-424-9300 (US)
Manufacturer Contact Info: Stated on container label or purchase documentation
GHS Classification: Not considered hazardous under normal conditions by OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Label Elements: No pictogram, signal word, or hazard statement required; handle as a laboratory chemical
Main Hazards: May cause mild irritation to eyes, skin, or mucous membranes on direct contact. Inhalation or ingestion can cause discomfort in sensitive individuals
Precautionary Statements: Avoid direct contact, do not ingest, wash hands after handling
Chronic Effects: No known chronic health effects
Chemical Composition: Balanced salt solution, containing primarily inorganic salts and amino acids
Main Ingredients: Sodium chloride (NaCl), Potassium chloride (KCl), Calcium chloride (CaCl2), Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), Sodium phosphate (Na2HPO4), Glucose, Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), L-Glutamine, Amino acids such as L-arginine, L-histidine, L-leucine, Vitamins such as choline chloride and folic acid, Phenol red (optional, as a pH indicator)
Formula: Complex mixture, each supplier may vary composition slightly
CAS Numbers: Each ingredient has its own CAS number; full list available on request or via certificate of analysis
Eyes: Rinse gently with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Seek medical advice if irritation persists
Skin: Wash affected area with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing if needed. See a doctor if irritation continues
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air. If breathing feels difficult, give oxygen or seek medical help
Ingestion: Rinse mouth and seek medical advice. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel
Special Notes: No acute toxicity expected, but best practice is to treat as a chemical exposure
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical. No known incompatibilities
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, possibly volatile organic compounds
Protective Equipment: Standard firefighting gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus
Specific Hazards: Product does not support combustion. No unusual fire or explosion hazard expected
Advice for Firefighters: Stay upwind, prevent runoff from entering water supplies or drains
Spill Response: Absorb with inert material such as paper towel, vermiculite, or sand. Place in chemical waste container
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, goggles, and a lab coat
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spill from entering drains or watercourses
Clean-up Method: Wash area with water and detergent after pick-up
Handling: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Use in a well-ventilated space
Storage Conditions: Store at 2-8°C (refrigerator temperature) or as directed by supplier. Keep container tightly closed in dry, cool, and well-ventilated place
Special Requirements: Do not freeze unless instructed on label. Protect from direct sunlight and moisture
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, strong oxidizing agents
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established limit for the finished product. Refer to specific components if handling pure powders
Engineering Controls: Use with adequate ventilation; fume hood not typically necessary for small quantities
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles, lab coat, gloves (nitrile or latex recommended)
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before breaks, after handling, and at end of workday
Form: Liquid or powder
Color: Clear to slight pink (pinkish if phenol red added)
Odor: Odorless
pH: Typically 7.0–7.4 in solution
Melting Point: Not applicable (liquid); powder dissolves in water
Boiling Point: Comparable to water
Solubility: Fully soluble in water
Vapor Pressure: Not relevant
Density: Similar to water
Other Data: Not volatile, not flammable
Chemical Stability: Stable at room temperature and recommended storage
Reactivity: Not reactive under normal laboratory conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Extreme heat, freezing (unless permitted by product type), strong light
Hazardous Decomposition Products: None under routine conditions; toxic gases like carbon monoxide may be released on burning
Polymerization: Will not occur
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity; not designed for human consumption
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, eye contact
Symptoms of Exposure: Mild irritation on exposure to eyes or skin
Chronic Toxicity: No chronic health risks reported in routine cell culture use
Carcinogenicity: No components classified as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Other Effects: Individuals sensitive to chemicals may react to minor components such as phenol red
Ecotoxicity: No significant environmental hazard anticipated when diluted
Persistence and Degradability: Organic ingredients and salts break down in wastewater systems
Bioaccumulation Potential: No bioaccumulative properties detected
Mobility in Soil: Expected to be mobile in aqueous solution
Other Adverse Effects: Avoid large releases to local water bodies or drains
Waste Disposal Instructions: Dispose in accordance with local, national, and regional regulations.
Method: Small quantities may be flushed to drain with copious running water unless local laws prohibit
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse and discard as non-hazardous laboratory waste if uncontaminated by hazardous agents
Special Precautions: If the medium contains biological agents, treat as biohazardous
UN Number: Not regulated as a dangerous good for transport
Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated
Transport Hazard Class: None
Packing Group: None
Environmental Hazards: Not an environmental hazard in typical quantities
Special Precautions: Protect from freezing and direct sunlight during transport
OSHA Hazard Communication: Not classified as hazardous
TSCA Inventory: All ingredients typically contained meet TSCA regulation
SARA Title III: No reportable substances included in MEM
California Proposition 65: Contains no chemicals subject to Proposition 65
Other Applicable Regulations: Product for research use only; not for diagnostic or therapeutic use in humans or animals without appropriate regulatory clearance
