Material Safety Data Sheet: Zinc Acetate Dihydrate

Identification

Product Name: Zinc Acetate Dihydrate
Chemical Formula: Zn(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O
CAS Number: 5970-45-6
Synonyms: Acetic acid zinc salt dihydrate, Zinc diacetate dihydrate
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, chemical synthesis, dietary supplement, analytical chemistry
Manufacturer: Provided by supplier or distributor; contact information found on purchase documents
Emergency Contact: Refer to local or national emergency hotline numbers or supplier safety office

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral, Category 4), Eye Irritation (Category 2A), Specific Target Organ Toxicity—Single Exposure (Category 3)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation
Pictograms: Exclamation mark for acute toxicity and irritant
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands thoroughly after handling, use in a well-ventilated area, wear protective gloves and eye protection
Potential Health Effects: Irritates digestive tract, can cause nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; inhalation can trigger coughing or throat irritation

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Substance: Zinc Acetate Dihydrate
Chemical Identity: Zn(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O
Concentration: 100%
Impurities: Typically contains no significant quantities of impurities; refer to batch specifications for details

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately, keep breathing comfortably, seek medical advice if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Rinse skin thoroughly with plenty of water, remove contaminated clothing, consult a doctor if irritation appears
Eye Contact: Flush eyes gently with lukewarm running water for at least fifteen minutes, lift eyelids for complete rinsing, seek immediate medical attention for prolonged discomfort
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, seek prompt medical assistance
Acute Symptoms: Respiratory or digestive distress, eye irritation, persistent skin discomfort, report symptoms to medical staff clearly

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide depending on fire source
Specific Hazards: Product itself does not combust, but can decompose at high temperatures, producing irritating or toxic fumes such as zinc oxides and acetic acid
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Advice for Firefighters: Use water spray to cool containers, prevent runoff from contaminating nearby water sources, evacuate area if material involved in large fire
Explosion Hazard: No significant explosion risk under normal handling

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ensure proper ventilation, avoid dust formation, use appropriate respiratory and skin protection
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so, do not allow product to enter drains, surface water, or ground water
Containment Methods: Use inert absorbent material like earth or sand for containment
Cleanup Procedures: Scoop up and collect spilled material into suitable containers for proper disposal, wash affected area with water, ventilate confined spaces
Reporting Requirements: Follow local requirements for reporting sizable spills or exposure risks

Handling and Storage

Handling: Avoid direct contact with skin and eyes, prevent dust generation, wash thoroughly after handling, keep containers tightly closed
Technical Measures: Use only in areas provided with appropriate exhaust ventilation, handle away from incompatible substances such as strong acids or oxidizers
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location, keep in original packaging to prevent contamination, store away from moisture and reactive chemicals
Packaging Materials: Use corrosion-resistant, tightly-sealed containers; avoid containers made from incompatible materials
Safe Storage Advice: Restrict access to trained personnel; maintain an updated inventory to avoid accidental accumulation

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: Occupational exposure guidelines for zinc compounds typically set at 1 mg/m³ (calculated as zinc), check local regulations for differing standards
Engineering Controls: Operate in fume hoods or use local exhaust systems; ensure eyewash stations and emergency showers are available in the working area
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical splash goggles, suitable gloves made of nitrile or neoprene, laboratory coats, and dust masks or respirators if handling large quantities or powders
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before eating, smoking, or leaving the work area, do not eat, drink, or store food near product, remove and wash contaminated clothing promptly
Environmental Exposure Controls: Collect all waste for chemical disposal, avoid discharge into sewers and the environment by using spill containment

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White crystalline solid
Odor: Slight acetic acid scent
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH: 5–6 (50 g/L solution at 20°C)
Melting Point: Decomposes above 237°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not volatile
Solubility in Water: Soluble (432 g/L at 20°C)
Vapor Pressure: Not significant at room temperature
Relative Density: Approximately 1.74 (water = 1)
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not available
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not self-igniting
Decomposition Temperature: Above 237°C
Viscosity: Not relevant for solid

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended conditions of storage and handling
Reactivity: Generally inert under ambient temperatures and pressures
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to excessive heat, humidity, or direct sunlight; formation of dust in air
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong oxidizers, sulfides, and phosphates which could cause an exothermic reaction or generate toxic gases
Hazardous Decomposition Products: At high temperatures, emits zinc oxide fumes, acetic acid vapors, carbon oxides
Polymerization: Does not undergo hazardous polymerization

Toxicological Information

Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: LD₅₀ (oral, rat): Approximately 350 mg/kg
Short-term Effects: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort from ingestion; coughing and throat irritation from inhalation of dust; redness in eyes and on skin
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure to elevated levels can contribute to systemic zinc overload, interference with copper uptake, possible gastrointestinal disturbances
Sensitization: No data suggesting sensitization for typical exposures
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity: Insufficient evidence for mutagenic effects
Reproductive Toxicity: No significant data indicating reproductive harm under applied conditions of use

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms in high concentrations; LC₅₀ (fish): 6.9 mg/L (96h, Cyprinus carpio)
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic compound, does not biodegrade but can dissociate to release zinc ions and acetic acid
Bioaccumulative Potential: Zinc can accumulate in aquatic organisms, persistent in sediment over time
Mobility in Soil: Readily dissolves in water, may migrate through soil with moisture movement
Other Adverse Effects: Excess release contributes to zinc loading in water, impacting aquatic food chains and microbial balance

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Collect waste in airtight containers clearly labeled for hazardous chemicals
Disposal of Product: Coordinate with licensed chemical disposal contractors; follow regional, national, and international waste disposal regulations
Disposal of Packaging: Triple rinse containers, remove or deface labels before disposal as chemical waste
Recycling and Recovery: Attempt recovery or reclamation only if purity is certain and local facilities support chemical recycling
Do Not: Dump into drains, surface water, or unapproved landfill sites

Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport under most regulations (verify country specifics)
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated as dangerous goods by road (ADR/RID), sea (IMDG), or air (IATA/ICAO) under regular circumstances
Packing Group: Not applicable
Proper Shipping Name: Zinc Acetate Dihydrate or “chemical not otherwise specified” if required by shipping agency
Special Precautions: Keep container tightly closed, store upright, shield from direct moisture during transport
Environmental Hazards: Considered hazardous to aquatic environment if large amounts are released due to transit mishaps

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Not specifically regulated as hazardous; standard laboratory safety requirements apply
TSCA Status: Listed on the Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
REACH Status (EU): Registered; substance of low concern under normal handling
WHMIS Classification (Canada): Classified as hazardous based on toxicological criteria
SARA Title III: Not subject to reporting under Sections 302, 304, 313
California Proposition 65: Not listed
Other International Regulations: Complies with chemical safety regulations in most industrialized countries; check local workplace, environmental, and health statutes for additional guidelines