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Product Name: Ninhydrin
Chemical Name: 2,2-Dihydroxyindane-1,3-dione
Synonyms: Triketohydrindene hydrate, Ruhemann's purple precursor
CAS Number: 485-47-2
Recommended Uses: Forensic chemistry, detection of amino acids, fingerprint analysis
Manufacturer: Common suppliers include Sigma-Aldrich, Fisher Scientific, and other laboratory chemical providers
Contact Information: Manufacturer customer service numbers and emergency hotlines published with shipments
Emergency Contact: Local poison control or local emergency numbers (112, 911 depending on country)
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral, Category 4), Skin Irritation (Category 2), Eye Irritation (Category 2A)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation
Pictograms: Exclamation mark (GHS07)
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wear protective gloves, wash hands thoroughly after handling, use eye protection
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, eye contact
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, gastrointestinal tract
Potential Health Effects: May cause irritation of respiratory tract, burning sensation in eyes, nausea if ingested
Ingredient: Ninhydrin
Chemical Formula: C9H6O4
Concentration: >98% (analytical grade)
Impurities: Not typically present in significant quantity for reagent grade
Molecular Weight: 178.15 g/mol
Main Hazard Component: Ninhydrin itself
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air and keep at rest, seek medical advice if symptoms persist, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult
Eye Contact: Rinse with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes while lifting eyelids, seek immediate medical attention
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected skin with soap and water, contact physician if irritation develops
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, seek medical attention
Most Important Symptoms: Burning of eyes, redness or blistering of skin, abdominal discomfort
Note to Physician: Treatment should be symptomatic and supportive
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, do not use direct water stream
Specific Hazards: Emits toxic fumes including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or other organic fumes under combustion
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full body protective gear
Firefighting Procedures: Move containers from fire area if safe to do so, use water to keep fire-exposed containers cool
Combustion Products: Carbon oxides, irritant organic vapors may form
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ensure adequate ventilation, avoid generation of dust
Protective Equipment: Chemical resistant gloves, goggles, lab coat, dust mask or respirator if airborne powder
Cleanup Methods: Scoop or sweep up spilled product, avoid creating dust cloud, place in clearly labeled containers for disposal
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry to drains or water courses, inform environmental authorities if contamination occurs
Decontamination: Clean the spill area thoroughly with water and detergent once the material is removed
Precautions for Safe Handling: Handle in well-ventilated areas, avoid inhaling dust or fumes, avoid contact with eyes and skin, keep away from sources of ignition
Safe Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed containers at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, moisture, and incompatible substances like strong oxidizers and bases
Storage Area Requirements: Use appropriate secondary containment, store in dedicated chemical cabinets if possible
Incompatible Materials: Oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong bases
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands and other exposed areas thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke near chemical use
Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hood, local exhaust ventilation
Exposure Limits: Not established for ninhydrin; minimize exposure by engineering means and PPE
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Laboratory-grade gloves (nitrile or neoprene), chemical splash goggles, lab coat or apron, dust mask or NIOSH-approved respirator for powder handling
Environmental Controls: Prevent particulate or liquid runoff into sewers or waterways
Appearance: Pale yellow to white crystalline powder
Odor: Characteristic, faint
pH: Not applicable (solid)
Melting Point: 250–252°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: No applicable data (decomposes before boiling)
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol and acetone
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Specific Gravity: 1.68
Flash Point: Not flammable under normal conditions
Partition Coefficient: No available data
Other Properties: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures, forms deep purple complex (Ruhemann’s purple) with amino acids
Chemical Stability: Stable under standard laboratory conditions, sensitive to air and light over long periods
Hazardous Reactions: None expected under routine use, avoid strong oxidizers and strong bases
Decomposition Products: Upon heating, produces carbon oxides and possibly toxic fumes
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, direct sunlight, excessive heat, open flames
Incompatible Materials: Oxidizing agents (may increase risk of hazardous reactions), strong bases, strong acids
Polymerization: No known hazardous polymerization
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) approximately 500–1000 mg/kg (literature values vary)
Chronic Toxicity: Prolonged or repeated exposure can cause dermatitis, allergic reactions (sensitization), or other health effects
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin/eye contact
Symptoms of Exposure: Eye redness, skin irritation, abdominal discomfort after ingestion, possible respiratory irritation if inhaled
Carcinogenicity: No IARC, NTP, or OSHA classification
Reproductive/Developmental Effects: No conclusive data available
Other Effects: May exacerbate existing skin or eye disorders, avoid unnecessary exposure
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life at high concentrations, information on environmental persistence limited
Mobility: Low mobility expected in soil, only slight solubility in water
Persistence and Degradability: May degrade naturally, complete data not available
Bioaccumulation Potential: No evidence of bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms
Other Adverse Effects: Do not discharge large quantities into waterways, avoid uncontrolled environmental release
Waste Treatment Methods: Must be disposed of as hazardous chemical waste, incineration recommended in approved facility
Container Disposal: Rinse empty containers with water, dispose in compliance with local regulations
Disposal Precautions: Do not pour down the drain or throw out in household trash, consult local environmental authorities
Environmental Precautions: Prevent contamination of soil, waterways, and drains
Sewage Disposal: Prohibited under most regulations due to potential waterway contamination
UN Number: Not regulated as a dangerous good for transport (verify regionally)
Shipping Name: Ninhydrin, Laboratory Chemicals
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous under most shipping guidelines
Packing Group: Not applicable
Land Transport (ADR/RID): No restrictions in small laboratory quantities
Sea Transport (IMDG): Not listed as a marine pollutant
Air Transport (IATA): Not restricted
Special Precautions: Keep container tightly sealed and upright during transit, cushioned to prevent breakage
Labeling Requirements: GHS and OSHA-compliant pictograms and hazard statements, with supplier contact information
Chemical Inventory Status: Listed on TSCA (US), EINECS/ELINCS (EU), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia)
SARA Title III Sections 302/304: Not classified as extremely hazardous
SARA Title III Section 313: Not listed
California Proposition 65: Not listed
Workplace Labelling: Required in workplaces per OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Other National Regulations: Compliance with local, state, and national environmental and workplace standards required
REACH Status: Pre-registered or registered in EU
Additional Regulatory Information: Always refer to up-to-date local regulatory documents for specific handling requirements
