Product Name: TRI REAGENT
Product Use: RNA, DNA, and protein extraction
Manufacturer: Molecular Research Center, Inc.
Address: 5645 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45212, USA
Emergency Contact: CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300
Catalog Numbers: Various, depending on package size
Synonyms: Monophasic Solution of Phenol and Guanidine Thiocyanate
Classification: Highly flammable liquid and vapor, toxic if inhaled, toxic in contact with skin, toxic if swallowed, causes severe skin burns, causes serious eye damage
Hazard Pictograms: Flame, skull and crossbones, corrosion
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe irritation to skin and respiratory tract, can damage organs (liver, kidneys) through prolonged exposure, suspected of causing genetic defects
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, avoid breathing vapors, wash thoroughly after handling, wear eye protection, face protection, protective clothing, gloves, do not eat, drink or smoke during use
Phenol: 38-42% CAS Number: 108-95-2
Guanidine Thiocyanate: 40-45% CAS Number: 593-84-0
Ammonium Thiocyanate: 10-12% CAS Number: 1762-95-4
Other Components: Proprietary (contains stabilizer, dye for identification), water to 100%
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, support breathing as needed, seek medical attention if adverse effects persist or breathing is difficult
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, seek immediate medical attention
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical attention for irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present, seek immediate medical attention
Most Important Symptoms: Burning sensation, coughing, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, severe irritation or chemical burns
Immediate Medical Attention: Advised for ingestion, inhalation, or overexposure to skin or eyes
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, foam, or water spray
Fire Hazards: Highly flammable vapors may accumulate ground-level and ignite, combustion produces toxic fumes (hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon oxides)
Personal Protection: Firefighters wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear
Explosion Sensitivity: Vapors heavier than air, may travel far and flash back
Specific Hazards: Containers may explode under heat or fire conditions
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate, avoid contact with skin/eyes/clothing, use proper protective equipment
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff into drains or waterways, notify authorities if large spillage occurs
Cleanup Methods: Contain and absorb with inert material (sand, earth, diatomaceous earth), scoop up and place in labeled strong containers, wash spill area thoroughly
Response Procedures: Place cleanup material in sealed chemical waste containers for proper disposal
Handling: Handle only in fume hood or well-ventilated area, avoid all personal contact, keep container tightly closed, never pipet by mouth, avoid spill contact
Safe Storage Conditions: Store at 2°C–8°C, away from ignition sources, oxidizers, acids, and foodstuffs, store in original container, use secondary containment for spill protection
Incompatible Materials: Oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong bases, peroxides
Special Storage Requirements: Clearly marked, access restricted to trained personnel, inspect regularly for leaks
Control Parameters: Phenol TWA 5 ppm (ACGIH), Guanidine thiocyanate not established, Ammonium thiocyanate not established
Engineering Controls: Chemical fume hood, explosion-proof ventilation
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, face shield, impervious gloves (nitrile, neoprene), lab coat, chemical-resistant apron, closed-toed shoes
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirators if ventilation inadequate
Hygienic Measures: Wash hands and face after handling, change contaminated clothing promptly, do not eat, drink, or smoke in work area
Appearance: Red or purple liquid
Odor: Strong, acrid, phenol-like
pH: Not applicable (multi-component)
Melting Point: < 0°C
Boiling Point: >100°C
Flash Point: 73°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Moderate
Flammability: Highly flammable liquid and vapor
Vapor Pressure: Moderate at room temperature
Vapor Density: Heavier than air
Solubility: Fully miscible in water
Density: 1.1–1.2 g/cm³
Partition Coefficient: Not determined
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Reacts vigorously or violently with strong oxidizers, acids, bases, and strong reducing agents, can form toxic gases on decomposition
Thermal Decomposition: Releases hazardous gases such as cyanides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
Hazardous Reactions: May react with incompatible materials (oxidizers, peroxides) to generate heat and toxic gases
Acute Toxicity: Fatal if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through skin in high doses, causes chemical burns and systemic toxicity
Chronic Toxicity: May result in organ damage (liver, kidneys), potential reproductive hazards, can cause central nervous system depression
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption, eye contact
Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, respiratory difficulty, skin redness and blistering, eye burns
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Genetic Effects: Contains substances suspected of causing genetic defects
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Persistence and Degradability: Phenol component is biodegradable but toxic to fish and invertebrates, guanidine thiocyanate and ammonium thiocyanate degrade slower
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low for phenol, unknown for guanidine thiocyanate
Mobility in Soil: Moderate
Additional Information: Avoid release to soil, sewers, or natural waterways
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of through a licensed hazardous waste disposal contractor, observe all federal, state, and local regulations
Contaminated Packaging: Handle as hazardous waste, puncture-resistant secondary containment required, label clearly
Incineration: Recommended under controlled conditions with appropriate air pollution controls
Disposal Precautions: Do not pour down drain, do not mix with non-compatible substances
UN Number: 2922
UN Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive liquid, toxic, n.o.s. (contains phenol, guanidine thiocyanate)
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (corrosive), 6.1 (toxic)
Packing Group: II
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Precautions for User: Use only approved containers, labels, placards, provide emergency contact information during transport, do not transport with food or animal feed, follow local restrictions for routing, quantity limits apply
US Federal Regulations: TSCA listed (all major ingredients), subject to SARA Title III Sections 302, 313, CERCLA reporting requirements for phenol
EPA Hazard Categories: Acute health hazard, chronic health hazard, fire hazard
OSHA: Corrosive, toxic by skin absorption, ingestion, and inhalation
EU Regulations: Complies with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), designated as hazardous, reach registration for phenol
Labels Required: Corrosive, toxic, flammable
Other Information: All users must receive chemical safety training, use only under established lab protocols, maintain access to safety documentation at point of use