Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): Betaine

Identification

Product Name: Betaine anhydrous
Chemical Formula: C5H11NO2
CAS Number: 107-43-7
Synonyms: Glycine, N,N,N-trimethyl-, Trimethylglycine
Manufacturer: Refer to packaging or invoice information
Uses: Ingredient in food, animal feed supplement, personal care products, and laboratory reagents
Emergency Contact: Local emergency services, Poison Control Center, manufacturer’s 24-hour assistance line

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Eye irritant (Category 2A, GHS), not classified as hazardous for acute toxicity
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation
Precautionary Statements: Wear eye protection, wash hands thoroughly after handling, avoid contact with eyes
Physical Hazards: Dust formation may cause temporary mechanical irritation
Health Hazards: May cause eye and mild respiratory tract irritation on inhalation
Environmental Hazards: Not considered environmentally hazardous in small quantities, but large releases may affect water quality

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Betaine
Common Name: Trimethylglycine
CAS Number: 107-43-7
Concentration: 98% or higher (technical grade)
Impurities: Less than 2%, mostly water and related organic substances from manufacturing process

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep airway open, seek medical advice if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Wash affected area with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if possible, continue rinsing
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek medical attention if feeling unwell
Most important symptoms: May cause redness, tearing, or irritation in the eyes; rare allergy or mild respiratory discomfort

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Agents: Water spray, foam, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide
Specific Hazards: Dust can form explosive mixtures with air in severe cases, decomposes at high temperatures to carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, fire-resistant clothing, gloves
Special Procedures: Remove containers from fire area if safe, contain water runoff to prevent environmental contamination

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use safety goggles, dust mask or respirator, gloves; avoid dust generation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, surface water, and soil
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up using methods that minimize dust formation, collect in suitable container for disposal, ventilate area and wash spill site with water after completion
Reporting: Notify responsible authorities if large quantities enter environment

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use with local exhaust ventilation, wear personal protective equipment, avoid creating airborne dust, wash hands before eating or drinking, do not eat, drink, or smoke in working area
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed containers away from humidity, heat sources, acids, and incompatible chemicals; keep in cool, well-ventilated area
Storage Temperature: Room temperature (15–25°C), keep away from direct sunlight and strong oxidizers
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidants, strong acids, and bases can affect product stability

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: Not established for Betaine
Engineering Controls: General room ventilation, local exhaust if dust forms
Personal Protection: Eye protection (chemical goggles), dust mask or respirator (if airborne dust present), gloves (nitrile or similar material), protective clothing
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after handling, remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
pH: Neutral to slightly basic when dissolved in water (pH 6.0–8.0, 5% solution)
Melting Point: Decomposes above 300°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Solubility in Water: Freely soluble (160 g/100 mL at 25°C)
Relative Density: 1.26 (water = 1)
Flash Point: Not flammable under normal conditions
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Partition Coefficient (Log Pow): -4.55 (highly water soluble)

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable at room temperature and under normal conditions
Reactivity: Non-reactive with most common materials
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, strong acids or bases, high humidity
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids
Hazardous Decomposition: Thermal decomposition can produce carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides; smoke and irritating fumes possible during strong heating

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): > 5,000 mg/kg (Betaine is of low toxicity)
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Mild, not corrosive
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes eye irritation in concentrated form
Respiratory Sensitization: No evidence of sensitization
Chronic Effects: No reported link to carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or reproductive toxicity in humans
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Symptoms: Redness or irritation of mucous membranes, no systemic effects expected from typical exposures

Ecological Information

Environmental Persistence: Readily biodegradable in water and soil
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely due to high solubility and rapid breakdown
Aquatic Toxicity: No acute toxicity to fish at environmental concentrations
Mobility in Soil: High
Other Effects: At high concentrations, beta substance may cause algae bloom if released into water, affecting dissolved oxygen levels

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of according to local, regional, and national regulations; do not dump into sewers or water bodies
Product Disposal: Small quantities can go in permitted landfill or incineration site
Contaminated Packaging: Wash thoroughly before recycling or disposal
Precautions: Avoid uncontrolled releases into the environment

Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport
Proper Shipping Name: Betaine, non-hazardous
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated
Packing Group: None
Labeling: No special labeling required for transport
Special Precautions: Protect from moisture; prevent spillage during handling; avoid mixing with incompatible substances during transit

Regulatory Information

GHS Classification: Eye irritation, Category 2A
OSHA Compliance: Not listed as hazardous material under US OSHA
TSCA: Listed
REACH (EU): Registered, not subject to authorization or restriction
Other Listings: Included in food and feed additive regulations in many countries; no special labeling under international agreements
Regulatory Restrictions: Some jurisdictions set purity or application limits in food and feed; check local guidelines