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Product Name: Papain
Chemical Name: Papain
CAS Number: 9001-73-4
EC Number: 232-627-2
Synonyms: Papaya proteinase I, Papaya enzyme
Recommended Use: Enzyme used in food processing, pharmaceuticals, leather treatment
Supplier Information: Papain suppliers provide contact for emergencies and inquiries regarding safe use and management of the product, offering direct instructions for both technical and medical support in case of exposure or incident.
Classification: Sensitizer (Respiratory, Skin), Irritant
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes skin and eye irritation. May cause allergic skin reaction. Prolonged or repeated inhalation may cause asthma-like symptoms.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands thoroughly after use, avoid contact with eyes and skin.
GHS Label Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Physical Hazards: Dust formation may increase risk of airborne respiratory exposure.
Health Hazards: Respiratory symptoms, dermatitis, ocular inflammation for sensitive individuals.
Main Ingredient: Papain enzyme
Concentration: Typically 90–100% by weight, commercial preparations may contain stabilizers or diluents in minor amounts. Impurities are typically associated with processing and include limit amounts of papaya latex proteins.
Additional Ingredients: May include inert carrier materials such as dextrin or lactose, depending on supplier specification, which do not change the overall safety profile but could be relevant for sensitive users.
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath appear.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water. Seek further attention if irritation or sensitization symptoms develop.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, lifting upper and lower eyelids occasionally. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Obtain medical advice if irritation persists.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth and drink water. Do not induce vomiting. Medical attention is recommended, particularly if large amounts are swallowed or if gastrointestinal symptoms appear.
Note to Physician: Treatment should be symptomatic and supportive. In cases of allergic response, treat as for allergic asthma or dermatitis.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam or water spray, adjusting medium to surrounding materials.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: None have been reported as particularly unsuitable; adapt to site conditions.
Specific Hazards: Papain is not highly flammable, but fine powders can form explosive mixtures with air. Decomposition at high heat may produce oxides of carbon and nitrogen.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear to guard against smoke and decomposition products.
Special Precautions: Avoid dust dispersal and possible inhalation.
Personal Precautions: Ventilate area, avoid dust formation, wear recommended personal protective equipment: gloves, goggles, respiratory protection.
Emergency Procedures: Evacuate unnecessary personnel from the area.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains or watercourses. Minimize release to the environment by collecting spillage promptly.
Methods for Clean-up: Sweep or vacuum up spilled material, preferably using industrial vacuum equipped with HEPA filter. Avoid creating dust clouds. Place material into appropriate container for disposal.
Safe Handling: Handle in a well-ventilated area, use methods that minimize dust generation. Wear suitable protective clothing. Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and clothing.
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat sources and incompatible materials such as strong acids and oxidizers. Containers should be tightly closed and clearly labeled.
Other Recommendations: Use local exhaust ventilation in workplace settings. Keep containers upright and prevent physical damage.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific exposure limit established for papain. Control levels for general nuisance dust (10 mg/m³ inhalable, 4 mg/m³ respirable) may apply.
Engineering Controls: Provide adequate ventilation, especially in confined or poorly ventilated spaces. Use local exhaust or general dilution ventilation to limit airborne dust.
Personal Protection: Skin – wear protective gloves and clothing. Eyes – use chemical safety goggles. Respiratory – use dust masks or appropriate particulate respirator if dust formation is likely.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before eating, smoking or drinking. Remove contaminated clothing promptly and wash before reuse.
Appearance: Fine, off-white to yellowish powder.
Odor: Mild, characteristic enzymatic smell.
Odor Threshold: Not determined.
pH: 5.0–7.0 in aqueous solution.
Melting Point: Not applicable (denatures before melting).
Boiling Point: Not applicable.
Flash Point: Not determined.
Flammability: Not highly flammable, but fine powdered form may combust under certain conditions.
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable.
Solubility: Freely soluble in water.
Partition Coefficient: Not determined.
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not determined.
Explosive Properties: May form dust clouds capable of explosion.
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling conditions.
Conditions to Avoid: Excess heat, humidity, exposure to moisture, strong acids and oxidizing agents.
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, oxidizers, certain metals that catalyze decomposition. Exposure to extreme pH can result in loss of enzymatic activity.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal decomposition releases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides.
Polymerization: No hazardous polymerization anticipated.
Acute Toxicity: Practically non-toxic by oral, dermal and inhalation routes; acute LD50 (oral, rat) greater than 10,000 mg/kg.
Chronic Toxicity: Sensitization and allergic reactions have been reported with repeated or prolonged exposure, especially by inhalation.
Skin and Eye Contact: May cause irritation or allergic dermatitis in certain individuals.
Inhalation: Respiratory tract irritation, coughing, wheezing and possible sensitization in sensitive persons.
Ingestion: Low toxicity, but may cause minor gastric discomfort.
Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: No evidence of carcinogenic or mutagenic properties.
Other Information: Specific individuals exposed to high amounts may exhibit asthma-like responses.
Ecotoxicity: Not regarded as environmentally hazardous at recommended handling levels. Papain degrades rapidly in biological systems.
Aquatic Toxicity: No significant toxicity to aquatic species reported.
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegrades in soil and water with a short half-life.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Does not bioaccumulate.
Mobility in Soil: Highly mobile in water; rapid degradation minimizes environmental impact.
Other Effects: Large spills may cause local depletion of oxygen if microbial breakdown is rapid.
Disposal Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional and national regulations. Material can be buried in a landfill or incinerated under controlled conditions.
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers should be cleaned with water before recycling or disposal. Ensure complete removal of product before reuse or disposal.
Additional Precautions: Avoid discharge to public sewer systems and natural waters.
UN Number: Not classified as a hazardous material for transport.
Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated.
Hazard Class: Not applicable.
Packing Group: Not applicable.
Marine Pollutant: No.
Special Transportation Precautions: Standard handling; avoid rough handling of large containers to minimize dust formation.
International Chemical Inventories: Listed on TSCA (US), DSL (Canada), EINECS (EU), ENCS (Japan).
OSHA Status: Considered hazardous due to sensitizing properties.
SARA Title III: Not listed.
EU Classification: Xi (Irritant), R42 (May cause sensitization by inhalation).
Labeling Requirements: Comply with local, regional and international regulations for labeling and safety data information. Ensure clear hazard communication in the workplace.
