Product Name: Methyl Lactate
Chemical Formula: C4H8O3
Synonyms: 2-Hydroxypropanoic acid methyl ester, lactic acid methyl ester
CAS Number: 547-64-8
Recommended Use: Solvent in industry, intermediate in chemical synthesis, flavoring agent, use in cleaning formulations
Supplier Details: Refer to the manufacturer or distributor for specific contact details
Emergency Phone: Refer to national poison control or supplied emergency number
Classification: Causes skin and eye irritation, may affect the central nervous system through inhalation at high concentrations
Label Elements: Pictogram – exclamation mark; Signal Word – Warning
Hazard Statements: H315 – Causes skin irritation, H319 – Causes serious eye irritation
Precautionary Statements: Avoid dust or vapor inhalation, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, wash exposed skin thoroughly, seek medical advice if feeling unwell
PPE required: Gloves, goggles, lab coat at minimum
Routes of Exposure: Eyes, skin, ingestion, inhalation
Name: Methyl Lactate
CAS Number: 547-64-8
Concentration: Over 99% by weight
Impurities: Trace water, lactic acid, methanol possible depending on production route
Other Ingredients: Product usually presented as a single-ingredient substance, not a mixture
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for minimum 15 minutes, remove contact lenses, keep eyelids apart, consult medical attention as irritation can persist
Skin Contact: Take off contaminated clothing, rinse skin with soap and water, seek medical help if symptoms develop
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, keep comfortable for breathing, support respiration if needed, get medical attention if breathing problems occur
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, dilute with water if possible, contact poison control or doctor immediately
Symptoms: May cause irritation, redness, coughing, headache, dizziness at high exposure; symptoms can vary with dose
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jet can spread liquid
Specific Hazards: Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air, combustion decomposes into carbon oxides and possibly acrid fumes
Protective Measures: Firefighters should wear full protection, including self-contained breathing apparatus and chemical-resistant clothing
Firefighting Actions: Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out, avoid breathing vapors, isolate area, keep away from drains
Personal Precautions: Wear appropriate PPE; avoid skin or eye contact, ventilate area
Environmental Precautions: Prevent from entering drains, surface water, soil, notify appropriate authorities in case of large spill
Cleanup Procedures: Absorb spill with inert material like sand or earth, use nonsparking tools to collect material and transfer to suitable container for disposal, clean contaminated area with copious water
Disposal: Use licensed waste handler, follow applicable local and national regulations for chemical waste
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas, avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, do not breathe vapors, follow standard industrial hygiene procedures
Storage: Store in tight, properly labeled containers, keep cool, dry, well-ventilated, away from food and incompatible substances (strong acids, oxidizers, bases), protect from sunlight and excessive heat
Special Storage Instructions: Keep away from open flames, strong oxidizing agents, strong acids or bases
Transfer Guidelines: Use grounding and bonding to prevent static electricity buildup; avoid spillage during handling
Control Parameters: No specific OEL (Occupational Exposure Limit) set for methyl lactate; maintain air levels as low as reasonably achievable
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, eye wash stations, safety showers required
Personal Protection: Wear chemical safety goggles, impervious gloves (nitrile or neoprene), laboratory coat or apron; respiratory protection may be required if airborne concentrations are high
General Hygiene: Wash hands after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke in working area, remove contaminated clothing before reuse
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Mild, slightly sweet odor
Boiling Point: 144°C (291°F)
Melting Point: -64°C (-83°F)
Flash Point: 53°C (127°F) (closed cup)
Vapor Pressure: 1.3 mm Hg @ 20°C
Density: 1.01 g/cm³ @ 20°C
Solubility: Miscible with water, alcohols, and many organic solvents
Evaporation Rate: Data insufficient to assign precise value
pH: Estimated slightly acidic
Viscosity: Moderate
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): -0.24
Autoignition Temperature: 415°C (780°F)
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions and normal industrial use
Reactivity: Not considered highly reactive but reacts with strong acids, bases, and oxidizing agents
Hazardous Reactions: May form combustible or explosive vapor/air mixtures, avoid contact with strong oxidizers and bases
Decomposition Products: Produces carbon oxides in fire or high heat conditions
Polymerization: Not known to undergo hazardous polymerization
Acute Toxicity: LD50 oral (rat) approximates 4000 mg/kg, generally low toxicity by ingestion in small amounts
Skin corrosion/irritation: Causes irritation upon prolonged or repeated contact
Serious eye damage/irritation: Causes eye irritation, risk of damage possible
Respiratory effects: Inhalation of high concentrations may cause drowsiness, headache, respiratory tract irritation
Sensitization: Not expected to cause skin sensitization
Chronic effects: Not identified as carcinogen or mutagen under current regulation, chronic effects not well established
Target Organs: Prolonged high exposure may affect nervous system, liver
Further Information: Always base medical treatment on clinical findings, recommend periodic health surveillance for personnel handling organics frequently
Ecotoxicity: Data limited, not anticipated to bioaccumulate or cause significant acute aquatic toxicity
Aquatic Life: Low risk to fish and invertebrates at typical environmental concentrations
Degradability: Readily biodegradable in environment under normal conditions
Mobility: High mobility in soil and water
Persistence: Not persistent; breaks down via microbial action
Bioaccumulation: Not expected due to low log Kow
Other Effects: Avoid uncontrolled releases into water courses; substance may contribute to chemical oxygen demand in large quantities
Waste Disposal: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations, use authorized hazardous waste facility
Container Disposal: Triple rinse, drain thoroughly, send to permitted drum reconditioner or approved waste facility
Special Instructions: Do not allow undiluted product to reach sewage systems or water sources, never dispose together with household waste
Regulatory Status: Classified as hazardous waste under some local jurisdictions, check for listing under relevant codes
UN Number: 3272
Proper Shipping Name: Esters, n.o.s. (Methyl lactate)
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquid)
Packing Group: III
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant
Transport Labels: Flammable Liquid
Special Precautions: Keep away from heat, open flame, strong oxidizers during transport, secure tightly closed containers upright, avoid container damage
Inventory Status: Listed on TSCA (US), EINECS/ELINCS (Europe), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia), ENCS (Japan)
Hazard Communication: Classifiable under GHS as irritating to eyes/skin
SARA/Title III: Not subject to reporting under SARA Section 313
California Proposition 65: Not listed
Workplace Classification: Substance subject to safety training and documentation in workplace under OSHA regulations (US) and similar laws in EU, Asia-Pacific
Other National Regulations: May vary; consult standards applicable to the location and intended use
Labeling Instructions: Conform with GHS (Globally Harmonized System) and national chemical safety labeling rules
