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Product Name: Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester
Chemical Family: Non-ionic surfactant
Synonyms: Sorbitan monooleate, Sorbitan monostearate, Sorbitan monopalmitate, Sorbitan monolaurate
CAS Number: 1338-41-6 (Sorbitan monooleate)
Recommended Uses: Emulsifier in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications
Manufacturer Contact: Provided on packaging or upon request
Emergency Telephone: Available through local poison control or provided Safety Advisor
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous according to OSHA regulations
Health Hazards: May cause mild skin and eye irritation with direct contact
Environmental Hazards: Not anticipated to cause persistent environmental effects
Label Elements: Not required
Physical Hazards: Stable under normal conditions, low fire hazard
Signal Word: None
Hazard Statements: May cause slight discomfort to eyes and skin
Precautionary Statements: Avoid prolonged contact, keep away from ignition sources, store properly
Chemical Name: Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester (includes monooleate, monostearate, monopalmitate)
Common Name: Sorbitan ester
CAS Number: 1338-41-6 (monooleate), 1338-39-2 (monostearate), 26266-57-9 (monopalmitate)
Purity: Typically over 96%, minor impurities may include residual fatty acids and sorbitol
Formulation: May contain traces of other related surfactants and stabilizers exposed during industrial synthesis
Eye Contact: Rinse with clean running water for several minutes, remove contacts, seek physician attention for persistent irritation
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical advice if irritation continues
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, rest in a comfortable position, get medical advice if symptoms develop
Ingestion: Drink water to dilute, do not induce vomiting, consult medical guidance if discomfort occurs
Note to Physician: Treat symptomatically, no specific antidote
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide
Specific Hazards: Product may produce irritating fumes under combustion
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Procedures: Cool containers with water spray, safeguard against slipping on melted or spilled product
Combustion Products: Carbon oxides, potential for slight toxic fumes if overheated
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, protective eyewear, avoid skin and eye contact
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, waterways, or soil
Spill Cleanup Methods: Absorb spilled material with inert absorbents such as sand or silica, shovel residue into containers for disposal, wash area with soap and water after cleanup
Disposal: Collect residue for proper disposal, ventilate spill area
Safe Handling: Use with adequate ventilation, avoid splashing or direct contact; wear protective equipment
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly sealed containers, away from moisture, heat sources, direct sunlight, and incompatible substances such as strong oxidizers
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, bases, and oxidizing agents may cause decomposition
Special Precautions: Store in original containers, do not reuse packaging for other purposes
Exposure Limits: No specific occupational exposure limits established
Respiratory Protection: Use appropriate mask if dust, mists, or aerosols form
Hand Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves recommended
Eye/Face Protection: Safety goggles or face shield
Skin Protection: Protective clothing if repeated or prolonged contact expected
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation as needed
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after handling, do not eat or drink in work areas
Appearance: Waxy solid or viscous liquid, light yellow to amber
Odor: Mild, fatty
Melting Point: 20°C to 50°C, varies by ester chain length
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents and oils
Density: Roughly 0.98–1.05 g/cm³
pH: Not applicable, non-aqueous ingredient
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient conditions
Flash Point: Over 200°C (closed cup)
Viscosity: High, varies by product form
Partition Coefficient: Log Kow estimated over 4, reflects strong affinity for organic phases
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Non-reactive at ambient temperatures, may react with acids, bases, and oxidative agents
Thermal Decomposition: Generates carbon oxides and volatile fatty acid derivatives at high temperatures
Conditions to Avoid: Overheating, exposure to strong oxidizers
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat) typically above 10,000 mg/kg, low acute toxicity
Skin Irritation: May irritate sensitive skin with frequent or prolonged exposure
Eye Irritation: Mild to moderate irritation possible with direct contact
Chronic Toxicity: No evidence of chronic adverse health effects in repeated low-dose studies
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity: Not considered mutagenic
Reproductive Effects: No known reproductive toxicity
Environmental Fate: Biodegradable, breaks down under aerobic conditions
Bioaccumulation: Low-to-moderate potential, due to fatty acid components
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 for aquatic organisms above 100 mg/L, not expected to threaten aquatic life at typical environmental concentrations
Soil Mobility: Low, adsorbs onto soil particles
Degradability: Fatty chains subject to enzymatic and microbial degradation in soil and water
Environmental Precautions: Avoid excessive release to the environment, especially in sensitive waterways
Waste Disposal Method: Incineration under controlled conditions or landfill in compliance with local regulations
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly before recycling or disposal, follow legal requirements
Precautions: Prevent entry to drains or water bodies, avoid environmental dispersion
Disposal Codes: Refer to local and national codes for appropriate waste categorization
UN Number: Not regulated as dangerous good
Proper Shipping Name: Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester
Transport Hazard Class: Non-hazardous
Packing Group: Not assigned
Special Transport Notes: No restrictions on air, sea, or land based on current regulatory guidelines
Labeling Requirements: None required under ADR, IMDG, IATA regulations
US Regulations: FDA approved for certain uses in foods and pharmaceuticals, listed on TSCA Inventory
EU Regulations: Listed on REACH, EINECS inventories, considered safe for use in approved concentrations
Canadian Regulations: Listed and permitted in food, drug, and cosmetic use with specified limits
Labeling: Not subject to specific hazard labeling with standard usage, follow workplace hazard communication standards
SARA 313: Not listed
Other Information: Users should confirm compliance with all prevalent local, state, and national standards before manufacture or distribution
