Material Safety Data Sheet: Betaine Citrate

Identification

Product Name: Betaine Citrate
Chemical Formula: C9H17NO7
CAS Number: 590-46-5 (Betaine), 77-92-9 (Citric Acid)
Recommended Use: Food additive, feed ingredient, laboratory chemical
Synonyms: Trimethylglycine citrate, TMG citrate
Supplier Information: Manufacturer address and contact number available on product packaging
Emergency Contact: Refer to local emergency poison control or regional supplier

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous
Signal Word: None
Hazard Statements: Dust may cause mild eye or respiratory irritation after prolonged exposure; no specific chronic toxicity documented for intended use (CDC NIOSH)
Pictograms: None assigned
Precautionary Statements: Use in well-ventilated spaces; avoid dust inhalation; wash hands after handling

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Ingredient 1: Betaine
Concentration: 45-55%
Ingredient 2: Citric Acid
Concentration: 45-55%
Impurities: Typical trace levels below 1%, proprietary release from manufacturers, do not consist of regulated substances
Physical Form: White to off-white crystalline powder or granule

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air, seek medical attention if respiratory discomfort persists
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses, continue rinsing, seek medical help if irritation remains
Skin Contact: Wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, get medical attention if symptoms appear
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water, do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel, get advice from a physician if large amounts consumed
Most Important Symptoms: Eye or throat irritation, coughing, redness—refer immediately to local emergency protocols for workplace chemical exposure

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Hazards: Product itself is not flammable but may generate irritating or toxic fumes if involved in a fire
Special Procedures: Use personal protective equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing for chemical fires
Advice for Firefighters: Avoid inhalation of combustion products, prevent runoff from entering drains, and use measures suitable for the surrounding fire

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear dust mask, gloves, protective clothing to avoid exposure to dust or residue
Environmental Precautions: Do not allow spillage to enter watercourses, keep away from drains and soil, report excessive releases to local authorities
Cleaning Methods: Sweep up and transfer into a labeled container for disposal according to local regulations, ventilate area, wash spill site after material pickup
Emergency Procedures: Evacuate area of unprotected personnel, address large spills under supervision with eye and respiratory protection

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Avoid creating dust, use with adequate ventilation, do not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas, minimize contact with skin and eyes, wash hands after use
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location, away from incompatible substances like strong oxidizers or alkalis, protect from moisture, keep containers labeled
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, strong bases, oxidizing agents, humidity
Packaging Materials: Use original, intact packaging or compatible chemical-resistant containers

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No formal limit values published (OSHA PELs), control exposure as low as reasonably achievable
Engineering Controls: Provide mechanical or local exhaust ventilation, use dust extraction for powder handling
Personal Protection: Safety goggles or face shield for eye protection, chemical-resistant gloves for repeated/prolonged contact, adequate workplace protective clothing, respiratory protection if dust concentrations exceed recommended levels
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before breaks and at end of shift, launder contaminated clothing regularly, keep away from food and drink processing areas

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder
Odor: Slight, faintly characteristic
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH: 3.0-5.0 (5% aqueous solution)
Melting Point: Approximately 120-150°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Not applicable, non-flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Non-flammable solid
Vapor Pressure: Not available, negligible at standard conditions
Solubility in Water: Very soluble
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Not measured
Decomposition Temperature: Over 150°C
Relative Density: 1.3-1.5 g/cm³
Viscosity: Not relevant for solids

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal, dry storage conditions
Reactivity: No dangerous reactions documented under anticipated storage and handling
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, alkalis
Decomposition Products: Heating or burning yields carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, and minor organic fragments
Hazardous Polymerization: Not known to occur

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity reported in animal studies, oral LD50 > 2000 mg/kg (rat, betaine/citric acid data)
Chronic Exposure: No significant chronic hazards identified in non-industrial concentrations
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, eyes
Symptoms: Dust may cause irritation to eyes, throat, or skin; accidental swallowing may cause mild digestive discomfort; chronic effects not reported in occupational settings
Carcinogenicity: Not classified by IARC, NTP, or OSHA as a carcinogen
Mutagenicity: Data do not suggest mutagenic risk
Other Effects: Sensitive individuals may develop allergic or asthmatic symptoms from dust

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Not expected to be harmful in dilute solution per existing research on each component
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable through normal soil and water microbial processes
Bioaccumulation: Low potential, compounds degrade to simple substances
Mobility in Soil: High solubility in water promotes mobility, but environmental fate studies suggest minimal hazard
Other Adverse Effects: No hazardous transformation products reported

Disposal Considerations

Waste Methods: Small quantities can often be disposed along with general solid waste in compliance with local laws
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly before recycling or disposing, follow local or national regulations
Regulatory Procedures: No special classification for hazardous disposal under US EPA or EU regulations, confirm details with local waste management authorities
Precautions: Avoid runoff to sewers and external waterways, minimize airborne powder generation during disposal

Transport Information

Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as dangerous goods for transport by road (ADR/RID), sea (IMDG), or air (IATA/ICAO)
UN Number: Not assigned
Packing Group: Not regulated
Transport Labels: No hazard labeling required
Special Transport Precautions: Keep containers tightly sealed, avoid mechanical shock, excessive vibration, and protect from moisture during transit

Regulatory Information

Classification: Does not fall under controlled/regulated substances in most jurisdictions, as referenced by US TSCA, EU REACH, Canadian DSL, Australian AICS inventories
Labeling: Not subject to specific chemical hazard labeling requirements
Workplace Requirements: Observe general workplace hygiene and safety practices, site-specific procedures may apply for bulk quantities
SARA Title III: Not listed under SARA Section 313
Other Regulations: FDA/EFSA recognize key ingredients as safe for food and feed under prescribed conditions, always consult local regulatory agencies for importation and large-scale industrial applications