Material Safety Data Sheet – DOPO Flame Retardant

Identification

Product Name: 9,10-Dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO)
Synonyms: DOPO, 6H-Dibenz[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphorin-6-oxide
CAS Number: 35948-25-5
Recommended Use: Flame retardant additive in polymers and composites
Supplier: [Insert manufacturer name and address]
Emergency Contact: [Insert emergency phone number and contact details]
Primary Use Sector: Plastics, Electronics, Automotive, Construction

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Eye irritation (Category 2A), Skin irritation (Category 2), Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure) Category 3
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation
Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands thoroughly after handling, use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, wear protective gloves, eye protection, face protection
Potential Health Effects: Skin contact may result in redness or dryness. Eye exposure can trigger severe irritation or pain lasting several minutes. Inhalation of dust or fumes could make breathing unpleasant or cause short-term throat and nasal discomfort. Swallowing larger amounts irritates the stomach.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: 9,10-Dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide
CAS Number: 35948-25-5
Concentration: ≥99%
Impurities: Minor residual solvents or by-products under 1% (not classified as hazardous under GHS)
Molecular Formula: C12H9O2P
Molecular Weight: 216.18 g/mol

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air as quickly as possible. If breathing feels strained or cough develops, supply oxygen if trained and get medical attention if symptoms persist. Remove source of exposure.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse affected skin thoroughly with water and non-abrasive soap. If discomfort continues or rash develops, get medical advice.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes for at least 10–15 minutes with gentle water flow, keeping eyelids open. Remove contact lenses if present and continue rinsing. Seek prompt medical attention in case of irritation.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, drink water if alert, do not provoke vomiting. Contact a poison information center or physician for guidance. Observe for signs of nausea or abdominal pain.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray (preferable for larger fires)
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jets may splash material and spread contamination
Specific Hazards: Burning releases toxic phosphorus oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, benzene derivatives
Protective Equipment: Full fire-fighting gear, self-contained breathing apparatus
Advice for Firefighters: Approach fire from upwind, avoid breathing fumes, use water spray to cool exposed containers, leave danger zone if unsafe
Decomposition Products: Hazardous gases including phosphoric acid, hydrocarbons, smoke, hydrogen chloride (in blends with chlorinated polymers)

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Ventilate area, wear NIOSH/MSHA-approved respiratory protection if airborne dust appears, don gloves and goggles
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, drains or natural water sources. Avoid spreading dust and collect using mechanical means.
Methods for Clean-up: Sweep up or vacuum spilled material into appropriate containers for recycling or disposal. Use damp cloth or mop for smaller spills to stop dust formation. Dispose of wash water in accordance with local regulations.
Notification Procedures: Report larger spills to relevant local authorities if required.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Wear suitable personal protective equipment. Avoid skin and eye contact, don’t breathe dust, use only with local exhaust, and keep containers tightly closed. Wash hands before eating or smoking. Handle only in areas with proper ventilation.
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas away from incompatible materials like oxidizing agents or strong acids. Keep in sealed containers, labeled correctly, away from direct sunlight and heat.
Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with strong alkalis, oxidizers, concentrated mineral acids. Isolate from foods and beverages.
Other Information: Store in original packaging to avoid contamination or hydrolysis.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: No known OSHA, ACGIH, or NIOSH exposure limits set for DOPO. Recommend monitoring for total dust (inhalable fraction): ACGIH TLV for nuisance dust is 10 mg/m³ (inhalable), OSHA PEL 15 mg/m³ (total dust)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust, mechanical ventilation, or fume hood to keep airborne concentrations low. Employ dust extraction at source.
Personal Protection: Wear impervious gloves (e.g. nitrile), chemical safety goggles or face shield, lab coat or long-sleeved clothing. For dust or aerosol exposure, use NIOSH-approved respirator with P2 or HEPA filter
Hygiene Measures: Clean work surfaces regularly, avoid eating or drinking in handling areas, shower and change clothes after large-scale use.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder or granules
Odor: Very faint, characteristic
Melting Point: 116 – 120°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: >200°C (closed cup)
Solubility: Slight in cold water, more in organic solvents like acetone and DMF
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient temperatures
Density: Around 1.31 g/cm³ at 20°C
Partition Coefficient: Log Kow estimated 1.5 – 2.0
Other Properties: Stable in solid state, hygroscopic if exposed to moisture, non-volatile at room temperature

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal ambient and storage conditions
Reactivity: Normally unreactive unless exposed to strong oxidizing materials or acids
Conditions to Avoid: Excess humidity, high temperatures, direct sunlight, and open flame
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, concentrated hypochlorite, mineral acids, alkali metals
Hazardous Decomposition: Thermal breakdown yields toxic oxides of phosphorus, aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride if blended
Polymerization: No hazardous polymerization expected

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): >2000 mg/kg
Skin corrosion/irritation: Moderate; may dry or redden skin on contact
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Can cause eye irritation, tearing, redness
Respiratory Sensitization: No data, but dust may irritate mucous membranes
Chronic Effects: No evidence of carcinogenicity or reproductive toxicity in animal studies or reported cases
Mutagenicity: Not known to be mutagenic
Further Information: No known cumulative toxic effects, but regular exposure can aggravate existing allergies or respiratory conditions

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Low aquatic toxicity reported, LC50 (fish, 96hr): >100 mg/L
Mobility: Low solubility means low mobility in soil, tends to adsorb on soil and sediment particles
Persistence and Degradability: Degrades slowly under natural conditions, stable in most environments, long half-life in soil
Bioaccumulation: Potential low, log Kow indicates modest risk; no substantial bioaccumulation seen in lab studies
Other Adverse Effects: Avoid release to surface water. Material can persist but does not lead to rapid ecosystem damage unless spilled in large quantities.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Handling: Collect solids into clearly labeled, sealed containers. Avoid dust generation during transfer.
Disposal Methods: Landfill acceptable under local regulations, incinerate in a chemical waste facility with appropriate emission controls. Do not discharge to surface or groundwater.
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly before reuse or disposal; handle as hazardous waste where contamination occurred.
Regulatory Requirements: Refer to national or local environmental legislation for guidance on waste management.

Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified as a hazardous material under UN regulations
Transport Hazard Class: None
Packing Group: None
Labeling Requirements: No specific labeling required for transport
Marine Pollutant: Not classified as marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Keep container sealed, dry, upright during transport. Protect from excessive moisture, physical impact or stacking
Transport in Bulk: Not regulated under IMDG, IATA, ADR, DOT

Regulatory Information

Inventory Status: Listed on TSCA (USA), EINECS/ELINCS (Europe), DSL (Canada), ENCS (Japan)
SARA Title III: Not subject to SARA Title III reporting
REACH Status: Registered within the EU, compliance with annexes required
California Proposition 65: Not listed
Other Regulatory Lists: No known hazard classification by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Workplace Classification: Handle as irritant, incorporate PPE rules and workplace controls
Label Statements: Handle according to good industrial hygiene and safety practices, include irritant pictogram where locally required