Product Name: Stearic Acid
Chemical Formula: C18H36O2
Synonyms: Octadecanoic acid, Stearophanic acid
CAS Number: 57-11-4
Recommended Uses: Lubricant, emulsifier, cosmetics ingredient, food additive, candle making, release agent
Supplier: Chemical distributors and raw material suppliers commonly stock for industrial use
Emergency Contact: Refer to supplier or regional Poison Control Center
GHS Classification: Not considered hazardous under normal conditions
Physical Hazards: May cause slippery surfaces if spilled, can form dust clouds
Health Hazards: Inhaling fine particles can cause mild respiratory irritation; prolonged skin contact may cause dryness or mild irritation in sensitive individuals
Environmental Hazards: Low toxicity for aquatic life in standard quantities but large spills can create oxygen-depleted zones in water bodies
Label Elements: No pictogram required, minimal signal word assignment; some suppliers use “Warning” for dust exposure
Chemical Name: Stearic Acid
Concentration: 95–100%
Impurities: Minor content of palmitic acid, oleic acid; negligible impact on hazard profile
Component Type: Saturated fatty acid of animal or vegetable origin
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, monitor for coughing or shortness of breath, and seek medical attention if discomfort persists
Skin Contact: Wash area with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, moisturize skin if dryness occurs
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with running water for at least 15 minutes, lift eyelids occasionally, check for irritation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water to dilute, do not induce vomiting, seek medical help if a large quantity enters system or if feeling unwell
Note to Physicians: Treat symptomatically, no known antidote required
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide, or water mist
Unsuitable Media: Avoid powerful water jets which may spread burning material
Special Hazards: Burning releases irritating fumes, acrolein, and hydrocarbons
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear to avoid inhaling smoke and fumes
Advice: Remove containers from fire zone if safe, use water spray to cool closed containers
Personal Precautions: Wear protective gloves, dust mask, and goggles to prevent skin and eye exposure, ensure adequate ventilation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry to drains and waterways, avoid large discharges to soil or waterways
Cleanup Methods: Sweep or shovel spilled material into containers for disposal or recovery, wash residue with water and detergent
Spill Area Care: Mark hazard area, use slip-proof shoes, clean thoroughly to avoid slipping risk
Handling: Avoid breathing dust, minimize dust generation, use with adequate ventilation, avoid prolonged skin contact, keep away from strong oxidizing materials
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place, keep containers tightly closed, place away from incompatible chemicals such as strong acids, alkalis, and oxidizers, do not stack heavy loads on top
Special Considerations: Keep product in original packaging to minimize contamination risk, segregate from food and drink
Occupational Exposure Limit: No established limit for stearic acid; as nuisance dust 10 mg/m3 total, 3 mg/m3 respirable for particulates
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust or general ventilation to control dust levels
Personal Protective Equipment: Respirator (N95 mask or equivalent) in dust-producing tasks, protective gloves (nitrile, neoprene), safety goggles against splashes, suitable work clothing to minimize skin contact
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking, launder work clothes regularly, keep work area clean
Appearance: White, waxy flakes, powder, or solid
Odor: Faint fatty odor
Melting Point: 68–70°C (154–158°F)
Boiling Point: 383°C (721°F) at 101.3 kPa
Density: 0.847 g/cm3 at 80°C
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, ether, and oils
pH (aqueous dispersion): 5.8–6.5
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient temperatures
Viscosity: Not applicable in solid state
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and use conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Strong heat sources, open flames, and incompatible materials
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers (e.g., nitric acid, peroxides), strong bases
Hazardous Decomposition: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and acrid smoke when burned
Polymerization: Does not polymerize
Mode of Entry: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Low acute oral toxicity (LD50 oral rat > 5000 mg/kg); dust may cause mild irritation to eyes, respiratory tract, rarely skin
Chronic Toxicity: No evidence of carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive toxicity
Irritation: Low; longer skin or eye exposure might cause discomfort for sensitive individuals
Sensitization: Not classified as a skin sensitizer
Contact Experience: People working with stearic acid in industrial settings report dryness or minor irritation after hours of exposure without gloves, but serious cases never cropped up in credible literature
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Low, not considered acutely toxic in aquatic systems at standard concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable, breaks down into water and carbon dioxide over days to weeks
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low; high molecular weight and poor water solubility reduce bioaccumulation
Mobility in Soil: Adsorbs to soil, little leaching into groundwater
Large Release Concerns: Very large spills smother water surfaces, risk of oxygen depletion for fish and aquatic plants in static water bodies
Disposal Methods: Small quantities can go in regular solid waste, comply with local rules; industrial waste needs appropriate landfill or incineration at certified facilities
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly, recycle if possible, dispose as per guidelines
Regulatory Waste Codes: Not typically hazardous, no specific codes under US RCRA/European directives for pure material
Special Procedures: Avoid releasing large quantities into environment, don’t wash large spills into sewers
UN Number: Not regulated by ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA
Shipping Name: Stearic Acid
Hazard Class: Non-hazardous for surface, air, and maritime transport
Packing Group: Not assigned
Transport Label: No danger label required
Precautions: Ship in tightly sealed containers, protect from moisture and heat during transit
OSHA Status: Not classified as hazardous, dust provisions apply
TSCA: Listed
REACH Registration: Compliant (for imports into Europe), substance registered
SARA Title III: Not listed as hazardous
California Proposition 65: Not listed
Other Listings: FDA GRAS status for food use, present on Canadian DSL, published on AICS and other national inventories
Workplace Guidance: Provide dust control measures where appropriate, maintain safe handling practices due to slip risk and skin dryness
