Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – Phytosterols

Identification

Product Name: Phytosterols
Chemical Family: Plant Sterols
Synonyms: Beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, brassicasterol
CAS Number: 83-46-5
Recommended Use: Food additive, dietary supplement, cosmetics ingredient
Supplier Information: Commercial manufacturers of plant-based nutritional ingredients, global trading companies, pharmaceutical distributors
Emergency Contact: Refer to regional poison control centers or medical professionals

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous
Physical Hazards: No significant fire or explosion hazard
Health Hazards: Low toxicity under normal conditions, dust may cause mild respiratory or eye irritation
Environmental Hazards: No acute hazards known, avoid release to natural water streams
Label Elements: No specific GHS symbols or signal words required
Precautionary Statements: Handle with routine hygiene and safety procedures, avoid inhaling dust

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Phytosterols
Concentration: 95% or higher
Components: Beta-sitosterol ~60%, campesterol ~25%, stigmasterol ~15%, other sterols ~5%
Impurities: Trace plant lipids and waxes below 1%
Additives: None commonly present in bulk raw materials

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air if excessive dust is inhaled, support breathing, seek medical attention if symptoms persist
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with running water for at least 15 minutes
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, seek medical advice only if feeling unwell or in large amounts
Symptoms: Possible sneezing, coughing, mild itching, or redness, rare stomach discomfort if ingested in large quantities
Indication of Medical Attention: Prolonged symptoms or allergic reactions need clinical evaluation

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, foam, CO₂, or water spray
Specific Hazards: Can produce smoke, CO₂, and CO gases when burning
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective gear
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon oxides, organic particulates
Advice for Firefighters: Prevent run-off from entering drains, control dust to reduce fire risk

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear dust mask, goggles, gloves
Environmental Precautions: Avoid uncontrolled release to water sources and soil
Methods for Clean-Up: Sweep or vacuum up spilled material, avoid creating airborne dust clouds, place residue in closed containers
Disposal: Collect waste for appropriate disposal, follow regulatory requirements

Handling and Storage

Handling: Minimize dust creation, use local exhaust, practice good hygiene
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated space away from strong oxidizers and high heat
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, acids, bases
Container Requirements: Use sealed, labelled containers; avoid moisture ingress

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No established values for phytosterols; treat as nuisance dust (total inhalable dust 10 mg/m³ as per ACGIH guidelines)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, dust extraction
Personal Protection: Respiratory mask for dust, safety goggles, gloves, protective clothing
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, avoid contact with eyes and skin

Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State: Powder or fine granules, waxy solid
Color: White to pale yellow
Odor: Weak, bland, plant-like aroma
pH (aqueous suspension): Not applicable, insoluble
Melting Point: 135°C – 145°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: >150°C (closed cup)
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in oils and organic solvents
Partition Coefficient: High log P, strong affinity for lipid phases
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Density: ~1 g/cm³
Other Properties: Stable under normal conditions, combustible dust in air at high concentrations

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Chemically stable under dry, cool storage
Reactivity: Not reactive with most ordinary substances
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, open flames, strong oxidizing conditions
Hazardous Reactions: No hazardous polymerization reported
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, irritating organic fumes

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Very low toxicity by oral and dermal routes in animal studies
Inhalation: Dust may irritate nose and throat
Skin/Eye Irritation: Mild irritation possible if unprotected contact occurs
Long-Term Exposure: No evidence of carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or reproductive toxicity
Allergic Reactions: Rare sensitization or allergy in people with plant sterol sensitivities
LD50 (Oral): >10,000 mg/kg (rat)

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: No significant acute toxicity for aquatic or terrestrial life forms
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable, slowly mineralized in soil and aquatic environments
Bioaccumulation: Not likely to accumulate in animal tissue due to plant lipid metabolism
Mobility in Soil: Low water solubility, tends to remain in substrate
Other Environmental Effects: Low risk of adverse impact under standard usage and disposal

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Can be incinerated or landfilled depending on local laws
Large Quantities: Consult with permitted waste management contractors
Waste Classification: Non-hazardous for most regulations
Precautions: Prevent dust release during handling of waste
Recycle/Recovery: Not typically recycled; recovery not generally practiced

Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified as dangerous goods
Proper Shipping Name: Phytosterols
Transport Hazard Class: Non-hazardous material
Packing Group: None assigned
Environmental Hazards During Transport: Avoid dispersion of powder during loading/unloading
Special Precautions: Seal packages securely and label containers for identification

Regulatory Information

US Regulations: Not listed as hazardous by OSHA, TSCA listed, GRAS status under FDA
EU Regulations: Not classified as hazardous substance under REACH/CLP, permitted as food additive (E499)
Canada: DSL listed, not controlled under WHMIS
International Inventories: Listed on key chemical inventories in Asia, North America, and Australia
Labeling Requirements: No specific hazard labeling needed for food/pharma applications; precautionary language for bulk industrial use