Understanding Glucose Monohydrate: Essential Safety Insights

Identification

Product Name: Glucose Monohydrate
Chemical Formula: C6H12O6·H2O
Other Names: D-Glucose Monohydrate, Corn Sugar, Grape Sugar
Physical Appearance: White, crystalline powder or granular solid
Typical Uses: Nutritional supplement, food additive, laboratory reagent

Hazard Identification

Classification: Most agencies consider glucose monohydrate non-hazardous for normal handling
Health Hazards: Dust inhalation or ingestion in unusually large quantities may cause discomfort or mild irritation
Environmental Hazards: Not expected to pose ecological or environmental danger under routine handling
Signal Words: No signal word required for typical consumer or laboratory conditions
Labeling: General caution over dusting or excessive spillage, not identified as a hazardous substance per OSHA or GHS criteria

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: D-Glucose Monohydrate
Molecular Weight: 198.17 g/mol
Content: Typically over 99% glucose monohydrate, trace mineral or plant-derived impurities minimal
CAS Number: 14431-43-7
Impurity Profile: Minor, food/pharma grade material subject to relevant batch testing

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected individuals to fresh air if significant dust inhalation causes coughing or respiratory discomfort
Skin Contact: Wash skin with soap and water to remove excess powder
Eye Contact: If powder enters the eye, rinse gently with plenty of water
Ingestion: Accidental ingestion of typical amounts unlikely to cause injury, seek advice for large quantities or if symptoms persist
Notes for Healthcare Providers: Treat symptoms, monitor for rare allergic reactions

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide work well
Specific Hazards: Dusty environments with fine particles have a risk for dust explosions under rare conditions
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use standard protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus
Combustion Products: May release carbon oxides if involved in a fire
Special Precautions: Minimize dust formation and ensure proper ventilation around powder storage areas

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Avoid creating airborne dust, use appropriate masks and gloves
Cleanup Methods: Sweeping or vacuuming up spills works well, dampen powders first to reduce dusting
Environmental Precautions: Avoid sweeping large amounts into drains as the substance is both sticky and sugar-rich
Disposal: Dispose of collected material using regular waste systems for food or laboratory solids

Handling and Storage

Handling Recommendations: Handle in well-ventilated space, minimize dust and keep container tightly closed
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry area away from moisture and strong odors
Incompatibilities: Avoid strong oxidizing agents
Personal Hygiene: Washing hands after contact, especially in work settings, keeps things tidy
Container Materials: Use sealed, food-grade or chemically resistant containers

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: General room ventilation, local exhaust for processes generating dust
Eye Protection: Use safety goggles in dusty areas
Skin Protection: Wear gloves to keep powder off skin
Respiratory Protection: In high-dust environments, N95 respirators or similar should be on hand
Work Practices: Regular cleaning and dust control, especially on industrial scales

Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State: Solid
Color: White
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: Decomposes over 146 °C, becomes sticky as moisture releases
Solubility: Easily soluble in water
pH: Neutral to slightly acidic in solution
Other Data: Tastes sweet, not volatile, hygroscopic if left open to air

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable if kept dry and away from high heat
Possible Reactions: Reacts with oxidizers under extreme lab conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, high heat, strong oxidizing chemicals, open flames
Decomposition: Yields carbon oxides at high temperature or fire
Polymerization: Not known to occur

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity, edible substance at common concentrations
Chronic Effects: High doses chronically may raise blood sugar, people with metabolic disorders require caution
Allergic Potential: Allergic reactions are extremely rare
Target Organs: Metabolic effects relate to glucose regulation
Exposure Routes: Inhalation of dust, ingestion, accidental eye or skin contact

Ecological Information

Environmental Fate: Rapid biodegradation expected in soil and water
Aquatic Toxicity: Not anticipated to cause harm at typical concentrations
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely due to metabolism by microorganisms and larger species
Additional Info: Spillage may increase local biological oxygen demand due to microbial sugar consumption

Disposal Considerations

Disposal in Landfill: In line with non-hazardous solid waste
Down the Drain: Small laboratory or food-use amounts usually acceptable
Contaminated Packaging: Containers can be triple-rinsed and recycled or discarded with general waste
Special Considerations: Avoid large bulk discharge in natural water bodies

Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport
Transport Hazard Class: No specific hazard class or labeling
Packing Group: Not assigned
Proper Shipping Name: Requires only general cargo classification
Special Precautions: Protect from moisture, pack tightly to prevent spilling and shaking loose in transport

Regulatory Information

US Federal Regulation: Not listed as a hazardous material by OSHA or EPA
EU Regulations: No special classification under REACH guidelines
Food Additive Status: Approved as a sweetener and carbohydrate source in foods worldwide
Worker Exposure Regulations: Dust limits in place where produced or used industrially
Labeling: Meets common safety and consumer labeling standards for ingredient listing