Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): Valine

Identification

Product Name: L-Valine
Chemical Formula: C5H11NO2
CAS Number: 72-18-4
Molecular Weight: 117.15 g/mol
Synonyms: 2-Amino-3-methylbutanoic acid
Recommended Use: Amino acid supplement, laboratory reagent, ingredient in cell culture media
Supplier Address: Refer to the original packaging or accompanying invoice for supplier details
Emergency Contact: National Poison Control Center or local emergency numbers as indicated on packaging

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Not classified as a hazardous substance
Symbol: No symbol required
Label Elements: No signal word, hazard statement, or precautionary statement indicated for standard laboratory or supplement use
Potential Health Effects: Inhalation or direct skin/eye contact may cause irritation in sensitive individuals
Environmental Effects: No significant adverse environmental effects known for routine industrial or laboratory handling

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: L-Valine
Percent: 98–100%
Additives or Impurities: May contain trace-level process residuals, water, or unreacted inputs depending on grade, never exceeding safe levels for handling
Ingredient Classification: No hazardous additives present, compound meets purity listed under regulatory specifications
Chemical Family: Alpha-amino acid

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air, monitor for symptom improvement, obtain medical attention if respiratory discomfort persists
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with clean water for at least fifteen minutes, holding eyelids open, and seek further care if redness or irritation do not resolve
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with warm water and mild soap, remove contaminated clothing, seek further guidance if redness or rash develops
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink moderate amount of water to dilute, do not induce vomiting without advice, consult a healthcare provider for assessment
Note to Physician: Treat supportively based on symptoms, no specific antidote, low acute toxicity expected from small exposures

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use CO2, dry chemical, or foam extinguishers; water spray may be used to cool off surfaces
Specific Hazards: Combustion generates nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide; no highly hazardous gases under normal fire conditions
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing to reduce inhalation or exposure
Advice for Firefighters: Avoid breathing fumes, maintain safe evacuation distance, contain runoff to reduce environmental contamination

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, chemical-resistant goggles, suitable clothing, avoid creating dust
Environmental Measures: Prevent entry into drains or stormwater systems, collect using non-sparking tools
Clean-Up Methods: Sweep or scoop gently, place waste in clearly labeled containers, dispose according to local regulations, ventilate area for airborne dust reduction
Spill Control: Vacuum only with HEPA filters if available to capture fine powder, wash area after removal using mild detergent and water

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Use inside a chemical fume hood where possible, avoid inhaling particles, do not eat or drink at workstations, wash hands thoroughly after use
Conditions for Storage: Keep in tightly closed original packaging, store in a cool, dry, ventilated place, shield from moisture and direct sunlight, maintain separation from strong acids and oxidizers
Storage Class: General chemical storage
Incompatibilities: Do not mix with oxidizing agents or strong acids, avoid open flames or excessive heat
Special Precautions: Restrict access to authorized trained personnel, secure container labels remain visible

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific established limits for valine under OSHA, ACGIH, or NIOSH
Ventilation: Work in a fume hood or use local exhaust ventilation to limit airborne dust
Eye Protection: Use chemical splash goggles or safety glasses
Skin Protection: Wear impervious gloves (nitrile or latex), and laboratory coats
Respiratory Protection: Use a particulate respirator if dust becomes airborne
Hygiene Practices: Do not eat, drink, or smoke in handling areas, wash hands and face after working with substance, keep contaminated clothing away from home use

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White, crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH (1% solution): 5.5–7.0
Melting Point: 315°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Solubility in Water: About 8.6 g/100 mL at 25°C
Vapor Pressure: Not available
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): -2.53
Flash Point: Non-flammable in solid form
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not determined
Density: Approximately 1.23 g/cm³ at 20°C

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal ambient storage and handling conditions
Thermal Decomposition: Decomposes under strong heat, giving off nitrogen oxides, ammonia, and carbon compounds
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, alkalis
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to excessive heat, open flames, moisture, strong UV sources
Hazardous Reactions: No known hazardous polymerization, does not react dangerously with commonly encountered substances

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low oral toxicity; LD50 (rat, oral) > 10,000 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Not classified as skin irritant, possible mild irritation on prolonged direct contact
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: May cause temporary discomfort if introduced into eyes
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization: No known sensitizing effects from routine handling
Chronic Effects: No known carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic properties
Human Data: Used safely in pharmaceutical and food applications; sensitive persons may experience local irritation

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: No significant toxicity to aquatic or terrestrial organisms at realistic concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Rapidly degradable via biological processes, incorporated into natural nitrogen cycles
Bioaccumulative Potential: Does not bioaccumulate, water-soluble and metabolized
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to solubility, easily taken up by microorganism populations
Other Adverse Effects: Releases are not expected to persist or create negative impacts under responsible usage and disposal practices

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Dissolved solutions and solids can be handled in line with local, state, and national waste regulations for non-hazardous organic chemicals; avoid release to environment in bulk
Container Disposal: Empty containers must be rinsed and disposed per site protocol, recycling or incineration preferable if available
Special Precautions: Do not reuse empty chemical containers for food, drink, or personal use; consult waste management authority for site-specific options
Recommended Practices: Minimize waste generation by using smallest required batch, label all secondary containers before disposal

Transport Information

UN Number: Not assigned
Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated for transport
Transportation Hazard Class: Not applicable
Packing Group: Not applicable
Marine Pollutant: Not classified as harmful
Special Transport Precautions: Ship in well-sealed, labeled containers, avoid rough handling
Regulatory Notes: Material not subject to strict international transportation controls, standard packaging suffices unless otherwise specified

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Not listed as hazardous under US Occupational Safety and Health Act
TSCA Inventory: Listed as an approved substance
DSL/NDSL (Canada): Present on Domestic Substances List
REACH (EU): Registered or listed as exempt due to natural occurrence
Other Inventories: Included on AICS (Australia), ENCS (Japan), and EINECS (Europe)
SARA Title III, Section 313: Not subject to reporting requirements
Labeling Requirements: Standard chemical labeling, precaution for dust inhalation, no special pictograms or statements required for routine use
Workplace Labeling: Maintain legible product identifier, hazard designation for lab settings
Other Regulations: Does not appear on regulatory blacklists for food, pharmaceuticals, or research under current guidelines