Product Name: Metronidazole
Chemical Formula: C6H9N3O3
CAS Number: 443-48-1
Synonyms: 2-Methyl-5-nitroimidazole-1-ethanol
Recommended Use: Pharmaceutical agent, antibacterial, antiprotozoal
Supplier Details: Names, addresses, emergency contact numbers of responsible distributors and manufacturers go under this heading, reflecting a real chain of accountability for safe use.
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, inhalation), specific target organ toxicity, carcinogen category 2
Hazard Symbols: Exclamation mark, health hazard
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, suspected of causing cancer, possible risk of organ damage through prolonged exposure
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with skin and eyes, handle in well-ventilated spaces, use personal protective equipment, keep away from food and drink sources to prevent accidental ingestion
Chemical Name: Metronidazole
Purity: ≥99%
Impurities: Trace process impurities may exist, usually listed below 0.1%
Other Components: Filler materials may accompany lab preparations for dosing or dilution but are not present in the pure form
Molecular Weight: 171.15 g/mol
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep at rest, get medical attention if symptoms like cough or dizziness persist
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash area immediately with plenty of soap and water, call doctor if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Thoroughly rinse eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and consult a health professional if discomfort remains
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting unless told by medical personnel; seek immediate help
Advice to Physician: Monitor for allergic response, consider activated charcoal and supportive measures based on symptoms, check for potential neurological reaction
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide for small fires
Specific Hazards: Burning metronidazole gives off toxic fumes including nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, so fumes matter as much as flames
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Procedures: Avoid inhaling smoke, move containers from the fire zone if this can be done safely, cool surrounding storage with water mist
Personal Precautions: Limit exposure using personal protection, keep area ventilated, stay upwind
Environmental Precautions: Do not flush into drains or allow product to reach water sources, notify environmental authorities in case of large spills
Containment and Cleanup: Scoop up spills using non-sparking tools, place in labeled containers for disposal, clean area with detergent and water, avoid raising dust
Handling: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing, work in a fume hood or well-ventilated area, wash thoroughly after handling, use only with proper protective equipment
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers away from incompatible materials like strong oxidizers, acids, or alkalis, keep storage temperature cool and dry, secure against unauthorized access, avoid storing with food or feedstuffs
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation to minimize dust or vapor exposure, install eye wash stations and emergency showers near the working area
Personal Protection:
Respiratory: Use NIOSH-approved particulate respirators if ventilation is inadequate
Skin: Wear chemical-resistant gloves and lab coats or coveralls
Eye: Use safety goggles or full-face shields
Work Practices: Remove contaminated clothing, wash hands after handling, follow hygiene protocols to cut cross-contamination risk
Appearance: White to pale yellow crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless or slight musty odor
pH: Slightly acidic (in solution)
Melting Point: 159–163 °C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Freely soluble in water and alcohol
Specific Gravity: ~1.45 (solid)
Partition Coefficient (log P): –0.02 to 0.1
Chemical Stability: Stable at recommended storage conditions, light and heat can cause gradual breakdown
Reactivity: Inert under most conditions but reacts with strong oxidizers
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Conditions to Avoid: High temperatures, open flame, direct sunlight, incompatible chemicals
Polymerization: Does not polymerize
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): ~500–960 mg/kg
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure linked to carcinogenicity and possible mutagenic effects in animals
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, eye contact
Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, CNS effects at very high doses, rare allergic reactions
Sensitization: Rare cases of skin or respiratory tract sensitization have been reported
Carcinogenicity: IARC classifies as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) due to animal studies
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to some aquatic organisms, including certain protozoa and bacteria
Persistence and Degradability: Degrades slowly in the environment, especially in water
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low potential based on chemical structure and experimental data
Mobility in Soil: Medium, risk of reaching groundwater if spilled
Other Adverse Effects: May alter bacterial balance in wastewater treatment plants
Waste Disposal Method: Incinerate in approved facility, dispose as hazardous chemical waste
Container Disposal: Triple rinse, render unusable before discarding, follow local environmental regulations
Special Instructions: Do not flush down drains, minimize contamination of soil and water bodies, segregate from general waste streams and label containers with contents to support safe handling by waste professionals
UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport under most regulatory systems
Proper Shipping Name: Metronidazole
Transport Hazard Class: None assigned
Packing Group: None
Marine Pollutant: No
Special Precautions for User: Protect packages from damage and keep tightly closed during transport, separate from incompatible substances in transit storage
OSHA Status: Regulated as hazardous
TSCA: Listed
SARA Title III: Not listed under Section 302 or 313
California Proposition 65: Listed as a possible carcinogen
WHMIS (Canada): D2A (Very Toxic Material Causing Other Toxic Effects)
EU Classification: Harmful (Xn), Carcinogen Category 2
Labeling: Use GHS compliant pictograms and hazard statements, provide safety instructions in all relevant workplace languages
