Product Name: Kathon
Chemical Family: Isothiazolinones mixture
Manufacturer: DuPont/MilliporeSigma
Synonyms: CMIT/MIT blend, Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone mixture
Recommended Use: Biocide, preservative for industrial applications like water treatment, paints, adhesives, and cooling towers
Emergency Numbers: CHEMTREC (US) 1-800-424-9300, CHEMTREC (International) +1 703-527-3887
Product Codes: Varied by supplier and batch; verify with SDS on-hand
Address of Manufacturer: Provided on each specific label
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (Inhalation, Oral, Dermal), Skin corrosion/irritation, Eye damage/irritation, Skin sensitization, Aquatic toxicity
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. May cause an allergic skin reaction. Extremely toxic to aquatic organisms with long lasting effects.
Pictograms: Corrosive, Health hazard, Environment
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. Wear protective gloves, clothing, eye, and face protection. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Avoid release to the environment.
Chemical Identity: 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CMIT), 2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (MIT)
CAS Numbers: CMIT 26172-55-4, MIT 2682-20-4
Concentration: CMIT (1.5%), MIT (0.5%) typical in commercial blends; remainder water and salts
Impurities: Minor quantities of magnesium salts, sodium nitrate, water
Other Constituents: Proprietary stabilizers may be present; review manufacturer information for specifics
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, monitor for respiratory distress, seek immediate medical attention; provide oxygen if available.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and wash with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, seek urgent medical help, watch for allergic reaction.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy, get medical attention right away.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, give water to dilute if conscious, seek immediate hospital treatment.
General Notes: Show this SDS to medical personnel. Aggressive decontamination reduces injury risk.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry powder, alcohol-resistant foam, spray water
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: High pressure water jets may spread product
Special Hazards: Thermal decomposition yields toxic gases including nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus
Firefighting Guidance: Stay upwind, avoid inhalation of combustion product vapors, dike firewater to prevent environmental run-off
Explosive Limits: Not considered flammable, but containers can rupture in fires
Personal Protection: Put on chemical-resistant clothing, gloves, goggles, and respiratory protection
Spill Containment: Stop leaks if safe, contain liquid with earth or sand
Cleanup Methods: Collect spillage with non-combustible absorbents, deposit in sealed containers for disposal
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains, waterways, or soil
Reporting: Notify authorities as required by local, state, or federal law for significant spills/outdoors release
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas, avoid skin and eye contact, prevent inhaling vapors or spray
Storage: Keep containers tightly sealed in cool, dry, well-ventilated locked area
Incompatible Materials: Avoid contact with strong bases, reducing agents, amines, oxidizers, and metals
Protective Measures: Use secondary containment, keep away from food and drink, post warning signage, rotate inventory
Limitations: Store away from children and unauthorized users; do not reuse empty containers
Engineering Controls: Employ local exhaust ventilation or process enclosure, use eye wash and safety shower stations
Exposure Limits: No OSHA PEL/TLV established, minimize exposure as much as practical
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved masks for vapors or mists
Skin Protection: Wear impervious gloves (nitrile, butyl rubber), coveralls, aprons
Eye/Face Protection: Chemical goggles, face shields
Hygiene Measures: Do not eat, drink, or smoke during use, remove contaminated clothing, wash hands/face before breaks or after shift
Appearance: Clear to yellowish liquid
Odor: Mild chemical, sharp
pH: 3.0 – 5.0 (as supplied)
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Below 0°C
Boiling Point/Range: Above 100°C
Flash Point: Not applicable (aqueous mixture)
Evaporation Rate: Comparable to water
Flammability: Not flammable
Vapor Pressure: Similar to water
Solubility: Miscible with water
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not established for mixture
Viscosity: Water-like
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage conditions
Incompatible Materials: Bases, oxidizing agents, sulfites, reducing agents
Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride can be released with strong heating
Polymerization: Not expected
Conditions to Avoid: Excess heat, sunlight, inconsistent temperatures, poor ventilation
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) 53 mg/kg (CMIT/MIT mixture), Dermal LD50 (rabbit) 660 mg/kg
Inhalation: Harmful by inhalation at high concentrations; can cause severe respiratory irritation or lung damage
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes severe burns, blisters
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes blindness, severe swelling, corneal damage
Skin Sensitizer: Strong potential to cause allergic skin reactions
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure may lead to asthma-like symptoms, chronic dermatitis, sensitization
Carcinogenicity: Not classed as carcinogenic by OSHA, IARC, NTP
Developmental/Reproductive Toxicity: No clear evidence, but high caution warranted
Acute Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish, 96 H) < 0.22 mg/L, EC50 (Daphnia, 48 H) < 0.1 mg/L, extremely toxic
Persistence and Degradability: Moderately persistent, slowly biodegradable
Bioaccumulation: Potential low due to rapid breakdown in water, but high aquatic toxicity
Mobility: Dissolves and spreads easily in aquatic environments
Environmental Fate: High hazard to aquatic invertebrates and plants, banned in many countries’ natural waters
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of via licensed hazardous waste contractor; follow all federal, state, and local regulations
Container Disposal: Triple rinse, puncture, and send to approved drum reconditioner or hazardous waste site
Avoid Release: Never discharge to natural environments, sewers, or storm drains
Special Instructions: Label as hazardous, complete all disposal records for traceability, consult authority if uncertain
UN Number: UN 3265
UN Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive Liquid, Acidic, Organic, N.O.S. (Contains: Kathon/CMIT/MIT)
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: II
Hazard Label: Corrosive
Special Precautions for User: Use secondary containment, segregate from foodstuffs, follow emergency protocols if spillage in transit
Other Transport Inclusions: Consult IMDG, IATA, ADR for international carriage
Global Chemical Inventories: Listed in US TSCA, EU REACH, Australian AICS, Canadian DSL, Japanese ENCS
SARA Title III: Subject to reporting under Sections 311/312 (hazard categories: acute health, chronic health, environmental hazard)
OSHA: Considered hazardous under Hazard Communication Standard
California Proposition 65: Not listed
WHMIS (Canada): Class D2B, E - Toxic, Corrosive
European Union: Hazard statements H301, H314, H317, H400, H410 — restrictions on certain product types
Other Requirements: Review specific labeling, packaging, and transport regulations for local compliance; keep records for inspections
