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Chemical Name: Valproic Acid
Other Names: 2-Propylpentanoic Acid
Formula: C8H16O2
Common Forms: Liquid or crystalline solid, colorless or nearly colorless, faint odor
Intended Use: Widely prescribed for epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraine; seen in labs and pharmaceutical production
CAS Number: 99-66-1
Main Hazards: Eye and skin irritation, harmful if swallowed or inhaled, toxic to the liver on repeated exposure, possible teratogen, may aggravate pre-existing liver dysfunction
Hazard Symbols: GHS07 (Harmful), GHS08 (Health hazard)
Major Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, dermal contact, ingestion
Acute Symptoms: Drowsiness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, ataxia
Chronic Effects: Liver damage, blood disorders, birth defects if taken during pregnancy
Main Ingredient: Valproic acid (concentration varies between formulations)
Impurities: Trace solvents or formulation excipients possible from manufacturing
Typical Composition: Often over 95% active ingredient in raw chemical, remaining are inert binders in tablets or capsules
Eye Contact: Flush with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, lift eyelids, seek medical attention
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin thoroughly with water and soap
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air, give oxygen if breathing feels tough; medical help for persistent symptoms
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical attention
Medical Notes: Supportive care focuses on airway, breathing, and circulation, plus monitoring of liver function and possible activated charcoal administration for large ingestions
Sensitivity: Material does not ignite easily but decomposes on heating
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, CO2, foam
Thermal Decomposition Products: Irritating fumes, possibly toxic gases like CO, CO2
Protective Equipment: Full fire gear, self-contained breathing apparatus
Hazardous Combustion: Dense smoke and chemical vapor hazardous to lungs and eyes
Small Spills: Wipe up with absorbent cloth and dispose of in chemical waste
Large Spills: Use inert absorbent, ventilate area, avoid contact with acid; and use splash goggles, gloves
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff into drains, water sources, or soil
Cleaning Approach: Collect material for proper disposal, ventilate the area well, decontaminate surfaces thoroughly
Safe Handling: Use personal protective equipment to avoid contact and inhalation; avoid generating dust or aerosols
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers, dry and cool environment, away from incompatible substances such as strong oxidizers
Special Precautions: Minimize exposure by keeping containers sealed, label containers properly; avoid untrained handling
Control Methods: Work in well-ventilated space, use fume hoods if available
Engineering Controls: Enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, especially for powder handling
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, lab coats, possibly respiratory protection when dust or vapor exists
Occupational Exposure Limits: No strictly established OSHA/TLV for valproic acid; keep exposure as low as reasonably achievable due to toxic risk
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid or crystals
Odor: Mild, unpleasant
Melting Point: Around 50°C
Boiling Point: About 223°C
Solubility: Miscible with water, ethanol, ether
Density: Approximately 0.93 g/cm³ at 20°C
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperatures
pH: Weak acid in aqueous solution
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, bases, reducing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Smoke, toxic gases such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide possible under fire conditions
Special Reactivity Risks: Avoid large accumulations of dust or vapor which could ignite under rare circumstances
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 for rats about 670 mg/kg, can cause severe central nervous system depression
Carcinogenicity: No strong evidence in humans, but chronic use carries risks
Mutagenicity: Some tests show weak mutagenic effects
Reproductive Toxicity: High—linked to birth defects including neural tube defects in human pregnancies
Organ Toxicity: Liver and blood most sensitive, rare but potentially fatal hepatotoxicity mostly in children or pre-existing liver issues
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life in high concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Expected low to moderate in environment, much metabolized in wastewater
Bioaccumulation: Not significant under normal conditions
Mobility: Likely moderate since water-soluble, but breakdown in sewage treatment limits risk to drinking water
Wastewater Concerns: Care about pharmaceutical waste management to limit pharmaceutical residues in water cycles
Preferred Disposal: Incinerate under controlled conditions by licensed chemical waste handlers
Unacceptable Practices: Do not pour into drains, sewers, or allow release to the environment
Container Disposal: Triple rinse, puncture before landfilling as non-hazardous solid waste block, if permitted by local regulation
Pharmaceutical Returns: Use drug take-back programs or hazardous household waste events for consumer returns
Proper Shipping Name: Valproic acid
UN Number: May not be classed under any UN number for small amounts for research, but bulk shipments observe chemical transport guidelines
Transport Hazard Classes: Non-hazardous typically for road or air, but label as toxic by ingestion
Packaging: Leak-proof, tightly sealed, padded containers
Special Transport Notes: Keep cool, away from foodstuffs, safeguard from package breakage
Major Regulations: Monitored under prescription-only medicine mandates, hazardous workplace chemical rules
FDA/EMA Oversight: Product reviewed for human safety, rigorous impurity control
Workplace Use: OSHA Laboratory Standard considers pharmaceutical compounds in research labs under chemical hygiene plans
Environmental Releases: Watched by EPA for pharmaceutical waste, state environmental agencies may monitor healthcare or industrial discharges
REACH/CLP: Registered for use in Europe, labeled for health hazards and reproductive toxicity per European Union chemical regulations
