Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for DL-Methionine (MET)

Identification

Product Name: DL-Methionine
Chemical Formula: C5H11NO2S
CAS Number: 59-51-8
Manufacturer: Listed source of chemical supply, production location, and emergency contact number
Recommended Uses: Feed additive, nutrition supplement in animal feed
Synonyms: Racemic methionine, DL-2-amino-4-(methylthio)butyric acid
Contact Address: Complete with physical site address, telephone, and responsible department or safety officer
Emergency Overview: Description of physical characteristics (crystalline white powder, faint odor), key health risks, and immediate hazard cues

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Classified as irritant (Skin Category 2, Eye Category 2A), non-flammable solid, low acute toxicity
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes mild skin and eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation if dust develops, not considered carcinogenic or mutagenic
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands after handling, use only in well-ventilated areas, wear protective eyewear and gloves
Symptoms of Exposure: Redness, tearing or burning in eyes, sneeze or cough upon inhalation, skin dryness or cracking

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: DL-Methionine
Common Name: Methionine
Concentration: 99% or greater by weight
Impurities: No major hazardous components identified, trace inorganic salts below reportable thresholds
Molecular Weight: 149.21 g/mol
Structure: Sulfur-containing essential amino acid class, chiral centers present

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Rinse gently with clean water for fifteen minutes, keep eyelids open, remove contact lenses for thorough flushing, seek medical care if redness or stinging lasts
Skin Contact: Wash affected skin with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing, seek medical advice if irritation does not resolve
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, monitor for signs of respiratory distress, provide oxygen if breathing difficulty develops, consult medical professional if symptoms do not subside
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water thoroughly, do not induce vomiting, seek medical evaluation for persistent symptoms

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, or appropriate foam for surrounding fires
Hazards From Fire: Dust may cause minor explosion under extreme, confined conditions; decomposition could produce carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides
Protective Equipment: Full firefighting turn-out gear, self-contained breathing apparatus recommended for enclosed fires
Special Fire Procedures: Move containers away from fire if safe, avoid inhaling combustion products, exercise caution with contaminated runoff that might affect drains

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear respiratory protection if airborne dust is likely, put on safety goggles and chemical-resistant gloves
Environmental Precautions: Prevent migration of large quantities into drains, surface water, or soil; notify relevant authorities for significant spills
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up carefully to avoid dust, place into proper disposal container, ventilate area; use wetted absorbents if necessary to keep particles down
Disposal of Waste: Deposit collected material with an approved hazardous or chemical waste facility, follow local and national regulations

Handling and Storage

Handling: Limit dust generation, use appropriate exhaust ventilation, practice good hygiene by washing hands before breaks and after work, don’t eat or drink in work area
Storage: Keep in tightly sealed original containers, store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight, away from strong oxidizing agents
Incompatibles: Separate from acids, oxidizers, and alkalis; avoid contact with strong reducing agents; do not store with food or feed materials
Storage Life: Observe manufacturer’s recommended shelf-life based on production date and storage conditions

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: No specific occupational exposure limits for methionine; recommended to follow dust standards for nuisance particulates (generally 10 mg/m³ for total dust, 3 mg/m³ for respirable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation over processing and handling equipment, employ dust collection systems
Respiratory Protection: Approved dust masks or particulate respirators should be provided where dust limits can be exceeded
Eye Protection: Chemical safety goggles with side-shields
Hand Protection: Nitrile, neoprene, or latex gloves recommended
Other Protection: Lab coats, aprons, and closed shoes advised for personnel handling significant quantities

Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State: Solid, crystalline powder
Color: White to off-white
Odor: Slightly characteristic, faint odor
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Melting Point: 275°C (decomposes)
pH: 5.6 (5% solution)
Solubility: Moderately soluble in water (3.3 g/100 mL at 20°C), negligible in ethanol, insoluble in ether
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Density: Approx. 1.34 g/cm³ at 20°C
Partition Coefficient: log Pow = -2.1 (water soluble)

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and recommended storage conditions
Reactivity: Not reactive under normal use
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid high humidity, strong heat sources, open flames, and incompatible chemicals
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal decomposition may release toxic fumes such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Polymerization: Will not occur under listed handling and storage conditions

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): > 5,000 mg/kg (low toxicity); no data for inhalation or dermal LD50 but low expected toxicity
Irritation: Mild eye and skin irritant in some animal tests
Chronic Exposure: No evidence of chronic toxicity; long-term feed studies in animals show no carcinogenic or mutagenic potential
Sensitization: Not known to cause allergic skin responses
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact
Symptoms: May produce local irritation, rarely respiratory effects if dust exposure significant, ingestion tolerated at low to moderate doses in feed

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Low aquatic toxicity, LC50 (fish, 96 h) > 100 mg/L; not persistent or bioaccumulative
Degradability: Readily biodegradable in soil and water by microbial action
Mobility: Soluble, likely to move with water in the event of spill
Bioaccumulation: Not expected due to strong solubility and rapid degradation
Aquatic Effects: High concentrations in water may contribute to nutrient enrichment, potentially feeding algal blooms in extreme spill scenarios
Other Information: Not listed for special concern under current hazardous substance registers for environmental fate

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal: Collect residues and contaminated materials in clearly labeled containers, dispose of through licensed chemical or hazardous waste processors
Sewage: Avoid direct disposal into municipal drains or watercourses
Container Handling: Rinse and triple-wash containers, puncture for landfill or return to supplier if refillable
Method Compliance: Follow local, national, and international waste management regulations for chemical substances

Transport Information

UN Number: No UN number assigned for shipment
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous for road, rail, sea, or air transport
Packing Group: Not assigned
Label Requirements: Not regulated
Special Precautions: Protect from moisture during transport, avoid stacking heavy loads on top of bags or containers, document batch and date of shipment for traceability

Regulatory Information

Inventory Status: Listed on chemical inventories such as TSCA (US), EINECS (EU), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia)
Labeling: Complies with GHS guidance for precautionary and hazard statements
Occupational Safety: No specific OSHA PEL, ACGIH TLV; recommended to minimize airborne dusts
Regulatory Status: Not considered a substance of very high concern, not restricted for manufacturing, use, importation, or export under international regulations
Feed and Food Law: Approved for use as a nutritional additive in animal feeds by EFSA, FDA, and corresponding regulatory bodies around the world
SARA Title III: Not subject to Section 313 reporting requirements
Other Requirements: Safety training required for all personnel handling bulk material, annual review of safe handling guidelines recommended by occupational health teams