Product Name: Polyquaternium
Synonyms: Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-39 (varies by type)
Recommended Use: Conditioning agent in personal care products, antistatic and film-forming agent
Manufacturer: Industrial chemical supplier or cosmetic ingredient manufacturer
Contact Information: Emergency phone number and corporate contact for health and safety questions
Chemical Family: Quaternary ammonium polymer
CAS Number: Specific to the Polyquaternium type (e.g., Polyquaternium-10: 68610-92-4)
GHS Classification: Typically non-hazardous for most Polyquaterniums, but eye irritation possible
Physical Hazards: Not flammable; may form slippery solutions
Health Hazards: Mild irritant to eyes and skin for some users; rare instances of allergic contact dermatitis
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as hazardous, but large spills can affect aquatic organisms
Signal Words: None for most common use forms
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with eyes and prolonged contact with skin; wash thoroughly after handling
Chemical Name: Polyquaternium (type varies); may contain water, and trace amounts of stabilizers
Concentration: Typically between 10-30% active polymer; balance is water
Impurities/Additives: Low levels of stabilizing agents, residual monomers below legal limits
CAS Numbers: Polyquaternium-10: 68610-92-4; Polyquaternium-7: 26590-05-6; others as per specific type
Hazardous Ingredients: None at reportable concentrations
Eye Contact: Immediately flush with clean, lukewarm water for 15 minutes, remove lenses if worn, seek medical attention if irritation persists
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin with plenty of water and mild soap
Inhalation: Move to fresh air; if respiratory symptoms occur, seek medical advice
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting; seek medical help if feeling unwell
Most Important Symptoms: Redness, itching, discomfort in eyes or on skin
Note to Physicians: Symptomatic treatment; no known specific antidote
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: No limitations noted under normal conditions
Specific Hazards: Product is not considered flammable; containers exposed to heat may burst
Combustion Products: Carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, possible hydrogen halides in case of incomplete combustion
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Self-contained breathing apparatus, full turnout gear
Special Procedures: Cool exposed containers with water spray to prevent pressure buildup
Personal Precautions: Wear recommended protective equipment (see Exposure Controls section); avoid creating slippery surfaces
Environmental Precautions: Keep out of drains, sewers, and waterways; prevent large spills from reaching soil and groundwater
Containment: Dike and contain spill with sand or inert absorbent material
Cleanup Methods: Absorb spillage with inert material, shovel up and place in labeled waste container for proper disposal
Decontamination: Wash spill area with water after cleanup is complete
Safe Handling Advice: Use in well-ventilated areas; avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place; keep away from heat, direct sunlight, and incompatible substances like strong oxidizers
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands thoroughly after handling; remove contaminated clothing before eating or entering communal areas
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids
Specific Storage Temperatures: Recommended range: 5°C to 30°C; do not freeze
Engineering Controls: General room ventilation is adequate for normal use; use local exhaust when handling large quantities
Exposure Limits: None established by OSHA, NIOSH, or ACGIH
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety glasses with side shields or goggles for eye protection; nitrile, rubber, or PVC gloves for skin protection
Respiratory Protection: Not normally needed; NIOSH-approved respirator if processing causes aerosol or fine mist
Protective Clothing: Lab coat, chemical-resistant apron for large-scale use
Environmental Controls: Prevent product from entering drains or waterways
Appearance: Clear to slightly hazy liquid, sometimes viscous
Odor: Mild, characteristic or nearly odorless
pH: 5.0 – 7.5 (for 1% solution)
Melting/Freezing Point: May freeze below 0°C (depends on water content)
Boiling Point: Approx. 100°C (water-based)
Flash Point: Not applicable (aqueous solution)
Solubility: Completely soluble in water
Density: 1.0 – 1.1 g/cm³
Viscosity: Moderate to high, depends on polymer
Evaporation Rate: Similar to water
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage conditions
Thermal Decomposition: Can generate oxides of carbon and nitrogen at high temperatures
Reactivity: Not reactive with most substances
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
Incompatible Conditions: Strong acids, strong oxidizers, excessive heat
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides
Oral Toxicity: Low acute toxicity; high doses may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort
Dermal Toxicity: No significant effects from skin contact in normal applications
Inhalation Toxicity: Not a likely route in standard applications; may cause mild irritation if inhaled as mist
Eye Effects: May cause irritation, redness, tearing
Chronic Effects: Repeated, prolonged contact may lead to dry skin or irritation
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Sensitization: Rare reports of allergic dermatitis in sensitive individuals
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: Data suggest no concerns at concentrations used in personal care products
Ecotoxicity: Limited toxicity to aquatic life at expected environmental concentrations; concentrated spills may affect fish and invertebrates
Persistence and Degradability: Polymers are generally not rapidly biodegradable, but low environmental mobility in normal use
Bioaccumulative Potential: Not expected to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Low to moderate, depending on formulation
Aquatic Toxicity Data: LC50 (fish): >100 mg/L (typical for Polyquaternium-10, varies by form)
Other Adverse Effects: No significant ozone depletion potential or photochemical reactivity
Product Disposal: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, national, and international regulations; incineration or landfill preferred for large quantities
Container Disposal: Triple rinse containers, recycle where possible, or dispose as controlled waste
Waste Codes: Not classified as a hazardous waste under US RCRA or EC directives
Special Precautions: Do not allow product or washings to enter drains, surface water, or soil in large amounts
UN Number: Not regulated for transport under IMDG, IATA, or DOT
Proper Shipping Name: Not classified as a dangerous good
Transport Hazard Class: None assigned
Packing Group: Not applicable
Environmental Hazards: Not considered marine pollutant
Transport Precautions: Protect from freezing, excessive heat, and mechanical damage during transit
Inventory Status: Polyquaterniums are listed or exempt from listing on major chemical inventories (TSCA, REACH, DSL, AICS, ENCS)
Labeling Requirements: None required for consumer products at use concentrations, workplace labeling should comply with OSHA HazCom and GHS where applicable
SARA Title III: Not considered hazardous under SARA Sections 302, 304, 311/312
California Proposition 65: No known chemicals in this material at reportable levels
WHMIS (Canada): Not controlled
EU Classification: Not considered hazardous under current regulations
