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Product Name: Docosahexaenoic Acid
Chemical Formula: C22H32O2
Synonyms: DHA, Omega-3 Fatty Acid
CAS Number: 6217-54-5
Supplier: Name, Address, and Emergency Contact (obtain from packaging)
Recommended Industry Use: Food additive, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, laboratory chemicals, research and development work
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS criteria
Hazard Statements: DHA is considered non-toxic under normal use, although extended or excessive exposure may cause irritation to eyes or skin
Precautionary Statements: Handle with care to avoid spills and splashes; avoid inhaling vapors or dust; wash hands thoroughly after handling
NFPA Ratings: Health: 1, Flammability: 1, Reactivity: 0
Other Hazards: May cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort if ingested in large quantities; spilled material can create slipping hazards
Chemical Name: Docosahexaenoic Acid
Concentration: 98% to 100% pure DHA (may contain trace carrier oils or antioxidants for stabilization depending on supplier)
CAS Number: 6217-54-5
Impurities: Possible trace solvents or alkali residues from extraction process, antioxidants (ascorbyl palmitate or tocopherols) at minor levels for stabilization, declared by supplier
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, seek medical attention if symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath develop
Skin Contact: Wash skin with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical advice if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse carefully with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present, seek medical care if irritation develops
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink plenty of water, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, seek professional medical care for persistent symptoms
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use CO2, dry chemical powder, foam, or water spray; avoid high pressure water jets directly on burning material
Specific Hazards: DHA can release irritating or toxic fumes such as carbon oxides when burned, housed in oil or lipid form it may promote fire spread
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Firefighting Instructions: Move containers from fire area if possible, control runoff from firefighting to prevent environmental contamination
Personal Precautions: Wear protective gloves and goggles; avoid breathing fumes or dust; ventilate area thoroughly
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains, waterways or soil; contain spill with inert absorbent such as sand or vermiculite
Cleanup Procedures: Soak up with inert absorbent, shovel into suitable container for disposal, wash spill site with water and detergent to remove residue
Notification: Notify appropriate regulatory body if spill exceeds reporting threshold or enters waterways
Handling: Keep containers tightly closed; use in well-ventilated areas; avoid prolonged or repeated contact with skin or eyes; employ good hygienic practices including hand washing after handling
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight and heat sources; keep away from incompatible substances such as strong oxidizing agents; use approved containers that minimize contact with air to slow down oxidation
Special Requirements: Store below 25°C for best stability, protect from moisture and light, use nitrogen blanket or inert gas to preserve purity during storage for long-term applications
Exposure Limits: No established occupational exposure limits for DHA; practice general dust and fume controls in workplace
Ventilation: Use local exhaust or general dilution ventilation to minimize airborne concentrations
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gloves of nitrile or similar material, safety goggles or face shield, lab coats or aprons to prevent skin contact
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, face, and exposed skin thoroughly after use; do not eat, drink or smoke in work areas; launder contaminated clothing before reuse
Appearance: Pale yellow to orange oily liquid in pure form; may appear as softgel or encapsulated powder
Odor: Slightly fishy or marine odor (characteristic of many omega-3 fatty acids)
Melting Point: -44°C
Boiling Point: 225°C (decomposes)
Solubility: Insoluble in water, readily soluble in oils and organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol
pH: Not applicable (non-aqueous)
Density: Approximately 0.91–0.95 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Flash Point: > 230°C (closed cup)
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Highly lipophilic
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; susceptible to oxidation resulting in rancidity if exposed to air, heat, or light for long periods
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, alkalis, peroxides; can react with these to form potentially hazardous byproducts
Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds when heated to decomposition; oxidized products may be irritating
Hazardous Reactions: May polymerize or form peroxides on prolonged exposure to air; store away from sources of ignition and uncontrolled heat
Acute Toxicity: Low acute oral toxicity, LD50 in experimental animals > 5000 mg/kg; generally recognized as safe in food supplements when consumed within recommended limits
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Can cause mild irritation or dryness, especially with prolonged or repeated contact
Eye Damage/Irritation: May result in mild, temporary irritation
Respiratory Sensitization: Inhalation of vapor or dust may cause slight throat or respiratory irritation
Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic, not known to induce mutations; widely used in nutritional settings
Chronic Effects: Overconsumption may lead to gastrointestinal distress, possible immune or metabolic effects if used in excess
Ecotoxicity: DHA is a naturally occurring substance and unlikely to cause long-term effects to aquatic or terrestrial environments in low concentrations
Persistence/Degradability: Readily biodegradable under normal conditions; breakdown products are fatty acids commonly found in natural cycles
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low risk of significant bioaccumulation due to metabolism and degradation by microorganisms
Mobility in Soil: Tends to adsorb to soil particles; unlikely to leach into groundwater
Other Adverse Effects: Large spills may temporarily reduce oxygen transfer in water or alter aquatic environments, best practice is to prevent release to waterways
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of product and contaminated packaging in accordance with local, regional, or national regulations
Waste Disposal: Incineration or landfill at an approved facility; do not pour into drains, surface water, or natural environments
Special Precautions: Empty containers can retain product residues; follow proper decontamination before disposal or recycling
UN Number: Not regulated as a hazardous material for transport
UN Proper Shipping Name: Docosahexaenoic Acid or Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Transport Hazard Class: Non-hazardous
Packing Group: None required
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant
Special Precautions for Users: Ship in sturdy, leak-proof packaging; avoid temperature extremes during transit; follow site and carrier protocols for food-grade or bioactive materials
National Regulations: Registered as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by FDA for use in food and supplements in the United States; also subject to regulation under food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics safety acts internationally
Labelling Requirements: Safety and hazard information as per local, regional, and international legislation; include ingredient disclosures on finished products
Other Regulations: Many regions restrict maximum daily intake in foods or supplements; monitor compliance with guidelines on environmental discharge, workplace exposure, and consumer product safety
