Product Name: Coconut Monoethanolamide
Chemical Name: Cocoamide MEA
CAS Number: 68140-00-1
Synonyms: CMEA, Cocamide MEA, Monoethanolamine coconut fatty acid condensate
Recommended Uses: Surfactant in personal care and cleaning products
Manufacturer: Sourcing local or international chemical suppliers based on application need
Contact Information: Reach out through provided emergency telephone lines on each supply drum or bulk container
Emergency Overview: Mildly viscous yellow to amber liquid giving off a slight coconut scent, followed by a faint ammonia odor over time
GHS Classification: Causes mild skin irritation, produces eye irritation, may be harmful if swallowed
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes skin and eye irritation; chronic exposure may lead to dermatitis; ingestion leads to nausea
Pictograms: Use exclamation mark for irritant
Precautionary Statements: Avoid prolonged exposure to skin and eyes; use only in well-ventilated areas; do not ingest
Routes of Exposure: Skin contact, eye contact, oral ingestion
Symptoms of Overexposure: Redness, tearing, itching, mild headache after inhaling vapors in poorly ventilated rooms at high concentrations
Main Ingredient: Coconut Monoethanolamide (CMEA), typically over 95%
Impurities: Unreacted fatty acids (up to 3%), monoethanolamine (<1%)
CAS Numbers: CMEA: 68140-00-1; monoethanolamine: 141-43-5; coconut fatty acids: 61788-47-4
Hazardous Components: None typically classified as acute toxins under normal usage concentrations
Mixture or Single Substance: Predominantly single substance; trace impurities based on raw material source and manufacturing process
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air; allow to rest; seek medical attention if symptoms persist
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for 15 minutes; lift eyelids to flush thoroughly; remove contact lenses if possible
Skin Contact: Wash skin with soap and plenty of water; remove contaminated clothing; monitor for persistent irritation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical attention for any sign of distress or nausea
Medical Attention: Symptomatic treatment recommended, focus on comfort and thorough decontamination
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or foam
Specific Hazards: Thermal decomposition may produce oxides of carbon and nitrogen, as well as ammonia fumes
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing to avoid exposure
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Not known to present significant fire risk under ordinary storage
Advice for Firefighters: Approach from upwind, avoid inhaling combustion products, cool containers with water if exposed to flames
Personal Precautions: Prevent skin and eye contact with spilled material; be alert for slippery surfaces
Protective Equipment: Gloves, safety goggles, and chemical-resistant aprons as needed
Environmental Precautions: Prevent discharge to drains, surface, or ground waters using sand or earth to block run-off
Spill Cleanup Methods: Absorb spill with inert material such as sand or vermiculite; collect and place in suitable container for disposal
After Cleanup: Wash spill site with water and detergent; ventilate area to avoid lingering fumes
Handling Practices: Wear suitable personal protective equipment; avoid forming aerosols; use local fume extraction if splashing possible
Specific Storage Requirements: Store in tightly closed containers; keep in cool, dry, and well-ventilated areas away from incompatible materials (strong acids, oxidizers)
Storage Life: Typically maintains stability for two years under recommended conditions
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling; avoid smoking, eating, or drinking when using product
Exposure Limits: No strict occupational exposure limits for CMEA exist, control for monoethanolamine if present (OSHA TWA: 3 ppm)
Engineering Controls: Use process enclosure, or local exhaust ventilation for bulk transfer or high-use environments
Personal Protective Equipment: Nitrile or butyl rubber gloves, safety glasses, and standard work clothing; in large-scale chemical handling, face shields and impervious boots advised
Respiratory Protection: Dust mask or respirator only in poorly ventilated conditions or during major spills
Environmental Controls: Prevent large-scale release to water systems by using containment bunds or spill pallets
Appearance: Pale yellow to amber viscous liquid, semi-solid at lower temperatures
Odor: Mild, coconut-like scent, slightly ammoniacal at higher concentrations
pH (1% solution): 9.0 – 10.5
Melting Point: 20–28°C (varies with fatty acid content)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Over 150°C
Solubility: Disperses slowly in water, soluble in most organic solvents
Density: 0.98–1.01 g/cm³ at 25°C
Viscosity: 3000–7000 mPa·s at 25°C
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Estimated 3.5–6, reflecting high affinity for organic phases
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at standard conditions
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal use and storage conditions; product performance can diminish if exposed to high heat or acidic environments
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Strong acids or oxidizers may initiate slow degradation or mild exothermic reactions
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, direct sunlight, freezing, contact with strong acids or oxidizers
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, nitrates, hypochlorites, oxidizing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, minor amounts of ammonia, nitrogen oxides upon combustion
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 in rats estimated over 5000 mg/kg (low acute toxicity)
Skin Irritation: Can cause mild to moderate irritation after repeated or prolonged contact
Eye Contact: Causes temporary redness, discomfort, tearing
Chronic Effects: May exacerbate existing skin conditions with sustained exposure; no long-term systemic toxicity reported in workplace studies
Sensitization: Not typically a skin sensitizer; allergies are rare in reported cases
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive Toxicity: No data showing carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxicity effects
Ecotoxicity: Low to moderate toxicity for aquatic organisms (fish LC50 >10 mg/L); small amounts can bioaccumulate in sediments
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable under aerobic conditions, but rates depend on local wastewater treatment performance
Mobility in Soil: Likely to bind to organic matter and settle in sediments
Bioaccumulative Potential: Possible due to lipophilic nature, but unlikely at typical environmental concentrations from consumer use
Other Impacts: Release in large quantities changes surface water foaming characteristics, can disrupt small aquatic organisms by altering membrane permeability
Waste Treatment Methods: Collect bulk waste for incineration at licensed facilities; small amounts can enter wastewater streams provided local plant can process high-organic-load waters
Disposal of Packaging: Rinse thoroughly; recycle or dispose as regulated by local authorities
Special Precautions: Do not allow to enter waterways in bulk; follow local environmental protection rules for chemical wastes
Contaminated Materials: Handle used wipes, gloves, or absorptive material as potentially hazardous, ensure incineration or approved chemical landfill
UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport
Transport Hazard Class: None required under current UN recommendations
Packing Group: Not assigned
Marine Pollutant: Not regulated as a marine pollutant, though local rules may limit transport near protected waterbodies
Special Transport Precautions: Close all containers tightly; label clearly; load securely to avoid spills; ensure transport staff aware of emergency measures for accidental release
Regulatory Listings: Not listed as a controlled chemical under major chemical regulations (OSHA, TSCA, REACH, Canada DSL, Australia AICS)
Labeling Requirements: Irritant pictogram and clear safety instructions required in most industrial markets
Workplace Controls: Maintain written safety procedures on handling and accidental exposure; provide employee training in safe handling practices
Reporting Requirements: Observe local reporting thresholds if stored in large volumes or if accidental release exceeds set limits
Other Recommendations: Encourage suppliers and manufacturers to provide regular training updates and promote responsible disposal practices in line with international standards
