Material Safety Data Sheet
Chloroform
POCD
SCIENTIFIC
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Section 1: IDENTIFICATION
CHLOROFORM
Synonyms – Trichloromethane, Formyl trichloride; Methane trichloride; Methenyl trichloride Chloroform,
stabilised with Amylene.
Product Code – CHLORO500, CHLORO1, CHLORO2.5, CHLORO5.
Recommended use – Laboratory reagent.
Point of Care Diagnostics t/a POCD Scientific
ABN: 93 067 939 824
Unit 14/76 Reserve Rd
Artarmon NSW 2064
1800 640 075 | 02 9437 1399
Australian Emergency Services: 000 (24 hours)
Australian Poisons Information Centre: 131 126 (24 hours)
Section 2: HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Classified as a Hazardous (Harmful) substance according to criteria of NOHSC.
Classified as a Dangerous good according to the ADG Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road
and Rail.
R Phrases
R22 - Harmful if swallowed.
R38 – Irritating to skin.
R40 – Limited evidence of carcinogenic effect.
R48/20/22 - Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure
through inhalation and if swallowed.
S Phrases
S1/2 – Keep locked up and out of reach of children.
S36/37 - Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves.
Section 3: COMPOSITION INFORMATION
Chemical Name
Chloroform
CAS Number
67-66-3
Concentration
100%
Section 4: FIRST AID MEASURES
Eye contact
Skin contact
Inhalation
Date of issue: August, 2014
Flush eyes immediately with copious amounts of water until advised to stop by
Poisons Information Centre or a Doctor or for at least 15 minutes. Seek
immediate medical attention.
Remove contaminated clothing and wash affected area with soap and water. If
irritation develop seek medical attention.
Evacuate to fresh air immediately. If unconscious place in recovery position,
provide artificial respiration if breathing ceases. Seek medical attention.
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Material Safety Data Sheet
Ingestion
First aid facilities
Advice to Doctor
Chloroform
DO NOT induce vomiting. Wash mouth out thoroughly with water. Seek
immediate medical attention.
Eye wash station, safety shower and First Aid kit.
Treat symptomatically.
Section 5: FIREFIGHTING MEASURES
Suitable extinguishing media
Use media appropriate for other material involved in fire. Water
spray, dry chemical, Carbon Dioxide and foam.
Non-combustible material. Toxic gases may evolve.
Fire fighters should wear a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
(SCBA) and protective clothing (includes helmet, coat, trousers,
boots and gloves).
2Z
Hazards for combustion products
Special protective precautions and
equipment for fire fighters
Hazchem code
Section 6: ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Emergency procedures
Clean up methods
Wear full protective clothing. Evacuate all unnecessary personnel. Increase
ventilation. Avoid inhalation, contact with skin eyes and clothing.
Soak up using absorbent non-combustible material such as sand or soil.
Collect material into suitably labelled containers and dispose of in accordance
with local authority guidelines. Do NOT let product contaminate drains or
waterways. If product does enter a waterway, advise the Environmental
Protection Authority or your local Waste Management.
Section 7: HANDLING AND STORAGE
Precautions for safe handling
Conditions of safe storage
Avoid skin and eye contact and breathing in vapours. Observe good
personal hygiene practices and recommended procedures. Wear suitable
protective clothing.
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Keep
containers tightly sealed when not in use. Store away from incompatible
materials.
Section 8: EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
National exposure standards
Biological Limit Values
Engineering Controls
Personal Protective Equipment
[TWA]: 10mg/m3 , 2ppm
‘Sk’ notice – absorption through the skin may be a significant source of
exposure. The exposure standard is invalidated if such contact should
occur.
Not available for this product.
Ensure adequate ventilation to maintain airborne concentrations below
national exposure standards. Local exhaust ventilation is suggested.
Keep containers closed when not in use.
Safety glasses or goggles, chemical-resistant gloves and laboratory coat.
Section 9: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance
Odour
pH
Vapour pressure
Vapour density
Boiling point
Melting point
Solubility
Specific gravity
Information for flammable materials
Date of issue: August, 2014
Heavy, clear, colourless, volatile, highly refractive
liquid
Characteristic odour
Not available
213hPa (20⁰C)
4.25 (20⁰C)
61-62⁰C
Approx.. -63.5⁰C
Slightly soluble (8g/L @ 20⁰C)
1.48 (@ 20⁰C)
Non flammable
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Material Safety Data Sheet
Chloroform
Flash Point
Upper and lower flammable limits in air
Not applicable
Not applicable
Section 10: STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Chemical stability
Conditions to avoid
Incompatible materials
Hazardous decomposition products
Hazardous reactions
Stable under recommended conditions for use and storage and if
stabilised.
Exposure to moisture. Exposure to direct sunlight. Avoid
incompatible materials (strong oxidising agents), moisture and
excess heat.
Strong alkalis and alkali metals including aluminium, amides,
fluorine, lithium, organic nitro compounds, potassium, sodium,
sodium oxides, as well as alkali hydroxides/alcohols, ketone
solvents, Rubber and various plastics.
Toxic gases may evolve.
On contact with strong bases a slow reaction occurs due to low
solubility of base in chloroform. If Methanol (or other cosolvent) is
present, reaction may be explosive. Contact with ketone plus
strong base may cause violent or explosive reaction. Contact with
alkaline metals or aluminium may cause violent or explosive
reaction. Contact with strong oxidising agents yields phosgene and
chlorine. Polymerisation not expected to occur.
Section 11: TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
HEALTH EFFECTS: Symptoms or effects that may arise if the product is mishandled and overexposure
occurs are:
Eye Contact
Skin Contact
Inhalation
Ingestion
Vapours cause redness, lacrimation, pain and possibly the sensation of intense burning
to the eye. Can result in possible eye damage.
Skin contact will cause irritation, resulting in redness and pain. Can dehydrate the skin
by removing natural oils. Toxic effects may result from absorption.
Acts as a relatively potent anaesthetic. After inhalation of the vapour, the mucous
membranes of the respiratory tract are irritated resulting coughing, nausea, vomiting,
drowsiness, dizziness and headache. High concentrations can cause central nervous
system depression and cardiac arrhythmia. Exposure to higher concentrations may
result in confusion, hallucinations, perceptual distortions, delirium, shortness of
breath- possibly leading to loss of consciousness and even death. May cause liver injury
and blood disorders. Cardiac disorders are aggravated by stress and lack of oxygen.
Harmful if swallowed. Can cause severe burning in mouth and throat, pain in the chest
and vomiting. May also cause severe irritation to the mouth, oesophagus and stomach
after prolonged exposure. Large quantities may cause symptoms similar to inhalation.
Possible hepato-renal problems and cardiovascular problems may occur. Symptoms
may include nausea, vomiting, perforation with severe abdominal pain and breathing
difficulties.
TOXICITY DATA: Inhalation LC50 Rat : 47702 mg/m³/4H
Oral LD50 Rat : 908 mg/kg
Oral LD50 Mouse : 36 mg/kg
Dermal LD50 Rabbit : >20 gm/kg
Section 12: ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity
Persistence and degradability
Date of issue: August, 2014
Avoid contaminating waterways.
When released into the soil or water this material is expected to
evaporate quickly. When released into the water, this material is
expected to have a half-life between 1 and 10 days. When released
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Material Safety Data Sheet
Chloroform
into the air, this material is expected to have a half-life greater than 30
days.
Not available.
Do not contaminate drains and waterways. May cause long-term
adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
Not expected to bio-accumulate.
Mobility
Environmental fate (exposure)
Bioaccumulative potential
Section 13: DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Disposal methods and containers
Special precautions
Dispose of in accordance with local authority guidelines.
Not available
Section 14: TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Classified as Dangerous goods by the criteria of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code.
UN Number
UN Proper shipping name
Class and subsidiary risk
Packing group
Special precautions
1888
Chloroform
6.1
III
Dangerous goods of Class 6 (Toxic and Infectious Substances) are
incompatible in a placard load with any of the following:
Class 1
Class 3, if the Class 3 dangerous goods are nitromethane.
Class 8, if the Class 6 dangerous goods are cyanides and the Class 8
dangerous goods are acids.
Incompatible with food and food packaging in any quantity.
2Z
Hazchem code
Section 15: REGULATORY INFORMATION


Poisons Schedule: S6.
TWA (Time Weighted Average): The average airborne concentration of a particular substance
when calculated over a normal eight hour working day, for a five day week.
Section 16: OTHER INFORMATION
Release Information
Date of preparation
Issue Number
August, 2014
1
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous
Substances (NOHSC:1008); Australian Government Publication Service: Canberra (2004), 3rd Edition.
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, List of Designated Hazardous
Substances (NOHSC:10005); Australian Government Publication Service: Canberra (1999), 2nd
Edition.
National Transport Commission Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and
Rail (ADG Code); Canprint: Canberra (2007), Volume 1, 7th Edition.
Standards Australia, Dangerous Goods Initial Emergency Response Guide: Australian
Handbook (SAA/SNZ HB76); Homebush (2004).
Copyright © 2014 Point of Care Diagnostics Australia Pty Ltd
Date of issue: August, 2014
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