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Product Name: Aspergillus niger
Other Names: Black fungus, Common mold
Recommended Uses: Industrial enzyme production, citric acid fermentation, biotechnology processes
Supplier Details: Local laboratory, chemical supplier, university research department
Emergency Contact Number: Poison Control Center, Local hospital emergency department, Supplier customer service
Hazard Classification: Health hazard, biological agent, Category 2, non-pathogenic for healthy individuals
Signal Word: Caution
Hazard Statements: Inhalation may trigger allergic reactions, especially in immunocompromised people; may aggravate asthma or respiratory issues; can cause skin or eye irritation; prolonged exposure may result in sensitization
Pictograms: Exclamation mark for irritant, Health hazard symbol
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust; use gloves, protective eyewear; wash hands after handling; do not eat, drink, or smoke during use; keep away from high-risk groups such as organ transplant recipients or those with chronic respiratory illness
Chemical Identity: Aspergillus niger spores and mycelium
CAS Number: 63612-31-1
Impurities or Additives: May contain substrate residue, unwanted microbial contaminants, trace metals from fermentation process, trace organic acids
Percentage: Biological material at >99% of the product, impurities present in trace amounts; non hazardous unless otherwise indicated by certificate of analysis
General Advice: Remove from exposure area; provide fresh air
Inhalation: Move affected person to well-ventilated area; seek medical attention for persistent symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath
Skin Contact: Wash with water and mild soap; remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse
Eye Contact: Rinse gently with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present; seek medical help if irritation develops
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; seek medical help if large quantities ingested or if symptoms develop; do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel
Advice for Medical Personnel: Provide symptomatic treatment; monitor for allergic or respiratory symptoms
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical powder, foam, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Strong water jet may scatter material
Specific Hazards from Combustion: Fungal biomass may smolder; decomposition gases may include carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing
Additional Advice: Avoid inhaling smoke; prevent contaminated runoff from entering drains or watercourses
Personal Precautions: Wear N95 mask or respirator, gloves, lab coat, protective eyewear
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release into drains, watercourses, or soil
Methods for Cleanup: Gently moisten to reduce dust; sweep up and place in sealed bag for disposal; disinfect surfaces with suitable biocide or bleach
Decontamination: Wipe down area with 70% ethanol or bleach; ventilate area thoroughly
Reporting: Report significant spillage to your health and safety officer or environmental agency if required by local ordinances
Safe Handling Practices: Open only in designated biosafety cabinet or at minimum, on bench with minimized air movement; avoid generating aerosols; do not pipette by mouth
Storage Conditions: Store sealed in cool, dry, well-ventilated area; avoid light and heat sources; maintain temperature as recommended (typically 2–8°C for spores, lower for long-term stock)
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, bases, and oxidative agents
Other Precautions: Keep container tightly closed; label storage containers properly; prevent unauthorized access to culture stocks or waste
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established limits for spores; strict control recommended in occupational settings
Engineering Controls: Biosafety cabinet use, local exhaust ventilation, negative pressure rooms for large-scale work
Personal Protective Equipment: Nitrile or latex gloves, lab coat with elastic cuffs, safety goggles, fitted mask or respirator (N95 or higher)
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling; avoid hand-to-face contact; clean work surfaces daily
Environmental Exposure Controls: Appropriate filters on exhaust air; prevent fungal growth in facility HVAC systems
Appearance: Fine black or dark brown spore powder, cottony white-to-black mycelial mass on culture
Odor: Musty, earthy odor distinctive of molds
pH (as supplied): Neutral to slightly acidic suspension in water
Melting/Freezing Point: Not applicable (biological material)
Boiling Point/Range: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not flammable under normal conditions
Solubility: Insoluble in water; suspends as particulate matter
Other Properties: Stable as dry spore, sensitive to heat, extreme pH, and standard disinfectants
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; loses viability with prolonged exposure to heat, disinfectants, UV
Reactivity: Not reactive with common laboratory chemicals under controlled conditions
Decomposition Products: Releases organic acids and volatile compounds on decomposition
Incompatible Conditions: High temperature, strong acids or alkalis, oxidizers
Polymerization: Does not polymerize; does not form hazardous byproducts through decomposition under normal use
Acute Toxicity: Not acutely toxic to humans or animals under standard exposure limits
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure may cause allergic reactions or hypersensitivity pneumonitis, especially in individuals with pre-existing conditions or lowered immunity
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation (primary), skin or eye contact
Symptoms: Nasal congestion, itchy eyes, coughing, skin rashes; rare cases of invasive aspergillosis in immunosuppressed individuals
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a human carcinogen
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: No evidence for genetic or reproductive toxicity under normal use
Other Data: Occupational health studies link fungal exposure with asthma in sensitive populations
Environmental Fate: Naturally occurring soil fungus; not persistent in aquatic environments
Ecotoxicity: No significant acute toxicity to plants or wildlife reported, but uncontrolled proliferation may outcompete other soil organisms
Mobility: Spores may be dispersed by air, water, surface runoff
Bioaccumulation: No evidence for bioaccumulation
Other Impact: May cause spoilage of food stocks, compost, and organic materials exposed in humid, warm environments
Precautions: Limit release into environment using good laboratory practices
Waste Handling: Collect all contaminated materials and culture waste in sealed, labeled biohazard bags
Disposal Methods: Autoclave at 121°C for at least 20 minutes before disposal; incinerate with other biohazard material
Do Not: Flush down drain or dispose with regular laboratory trash
Local Regulations: Dispose in accordance with state, local, or national regulations for biological waste
Packaging: Double-bag material for added containment if handling large quantities
UN Number: Not regulated as hazardous for transport under standard UN guidelines
Proper Shipping Name: Non-pathogenic biological substance (for research use only)
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated
Packing Group: Not applicable
Special Precautions: Label external packaging; avoid rough handling that could cause leaks or spills; keep temperature controlled for long-term viability
Regulatory Notes: Some countries may require permits for live culture shipments; check import/export rules
Classification: Not classified as hazardous by OSHA, EU REACH, or GHS for general laboratory work; may fall under biosafety level 1 or 2 depending on the application
Labelling Requirements: Biohazard sticker for living cultures or mass spore preparations
Workplace Safety: Compliance with institutional biosafety guidelines and use of certified biosafety cabinets
Other Regulatory References: CDC Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual, local environmental and occupational health standards
Reporting: Maintain records of handling and disposal for institutional audits; report incidents as required under institutional and legal frameworks
