Material Safety Data Sheet: Naphazoline

Identification

Product Name: Naphazoline
Chemical Name: 2-(1-Naphthylmethyl)-2-imidazoline
CAS Number: 550-99-2
Common Uses: Decongestant in over-the-counter eye and nasal drops
Manufacturer Information: Available by contacting pharmaceutical supplier
Emergency Contact: Refer to national poison control center; label instructions provide local emergency numbers for immediate response
Synonyms: Naphazoline hydrochloride (common salt form), Privine
UN Number: Not classified as a hazardous material for ground transport
Recommended Use: Eye and nasal decongestant in medical and first aid settings
Product Form: Solid (powder) or aqueous solution depending on application

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, Category 4); Serious eye irritation (Category 2A)
Pictogram: Exclamation mark
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed; causes serious eye irritation; possible CNS effects after absorption
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing; wash hands thoroughly after handling; do not ingest
Potential Health Effects: Headache, dizziness, nervousness, hypertension, and rapid heartbeat reported from overexposure
Target Organs: Central nervous system, cardiovascular system
Chronic Exposure: Prolonged or repeated use may cause rebound congestion in the nasal mucosa and other toxic effects

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Naphazoline Hydrochloride or Naphazoline Nitrate (depending on product)
Concentration: Typically 0.012%–0.05% in prepared solutions (higher concentrations in bulk powder)
Other Ingredients: Sodium chloride, preservatives like benzalkonium chloride, water (for solution forms), stabilizers
Impurities: Minimal; pharmaceuticals adhere to purity standards
Batch Information: Refer to specific supplier batch record for traceability
Molecular Formula: C14H14N2 · HCl (hydrochloride salt form)

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air; monitor breathing; seek medical attention if irritation develops
Ingestion: Call poison control immediately; do not induce vomiting unless directed; rinse mouth if patient is alert
Skin Contact: Wash affected area with plenty of water and soap; remove contaminated clothing; consult doctor if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present; consult medical attention without delay
Symptoms: Drowsiness, elevated blood pressure, slow or rapid heart rate, pallor, nervous system effects
Note to Physicians: Symptomatic treatment; supportive care is priority; monitor cardiovascular and CNS effects

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam
Special Hazards: Decomposition may produce toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides and carbon oxides
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use full turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Precautions: Cool exposed containers with water to prevent risk of explosion
Hazardous Combustion Products: Fumes containing oxides of nitrogen and carbon; irritant vapors possible
Explosion Risk: Generally low for finished product but minimize dust formation in storage environments

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, protective clothing, and eye/face protection; avoid dust formation and inhalation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff to waterways; containment strategies include sand or earth barriers
Clean-Up Methods: Absorb spills with inert material; place residue in chemical waste container; wash spill area with water
Notifications: Report to proper authorities if discharge reaches water sources or public sewer
Decontamination: Ventilate area; use wet cleaning to avoid dust

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use with adequate ventilation; avoid direct contact; do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling; wash hands after use
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed container at room temperature (15–30°C); keep away from light, moisture, and strong oxidizers
Storage Facilities: Pharmaceutically-approved cabinets; childproof and clearly labeled
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizing agents; acids and alkalis
Storage Class: Non-flammable solid (as finished product)

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation or general room ventilation
Exposure Limits: No occupational exposure limits set for naphazoline; minimize exposure using best practices
Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves (nitrile or latex), safety goggles, lab coat, surgical mask in powder handling
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after use; remove contaminated clothing before leaving work area
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved mask under dusty conditions

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder (bulk); clear solution (prepared drops)
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH: 4.5–6.2 in solution
Melting Point: 273–275°C for naphazoline hydrochloride
Boiling Point: Decomposes
Flash Point: Not flammable as aqueous solution
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Solubility: Soluble in water and alcohol
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Data not readily available
Density: Unknown for solutions; powder denser than water
Evaporation Rate: Not volatile

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperature, pressure, and storage conditions
Reactivity: Inert under ordinary use; reactive with strong oxidizing agents
Hazardous Reactions: None under recommended handling; decomposition possible if heated beyond melting point
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, hydrochloric acid fumes
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, strong light, excessive moisture, incompatible materials

Toxicological Information

Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin/eye contact
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat) reported as 100 mg/kg (for naphazoline hydrochloride)
Symptoms: Agitation, hypertension, tachycardia, pallor, sweating, CNS depression at higher doses
Chronic Toxicity: Prolonged misuse may lead to rebound congestion, dependency, elevated blood pressure
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by NTP, IARC, OSHA
Mutagenicity / Teratogenicity: No reliable human data on reproductive toxicity
Additional Effects: Hypothermia, bradycardia observed in severe overdose cases

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms at sufficient concentration
Persistence and Degradability: Limited biodegradability; breakdown in environment uncertain
Bioaccumulation: Data on bioaccumulation not conclusive
Soil Mobility: Likely mobile in aqueous solutions; binding to soil low
Environmental Impact: Pharmaceuticals detected in surface and wastewaters may disrupt aquatic life
Precautions: Do not release into environment without proper treatment or containment

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Collect as pharmaceutical waste in accordance with local regulations; incineration preferred
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse, deface labels, discard as chemical waste
Unusable Product: Seal in leak-proof container; label for proper hazardous waste pickup
Environmental Precautions: Do not flush undiluted product or large quantities to sewer or waterway
Local Disposal: Facilities must meet all environmental and health regulations for chemical waste

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated under standard transport codes for solid or solution forms
Proper Shipping Name: Naphazoline solution or solid, non-hazardous material
Transport Hazard Class: Not assigned
Packing Group: Not applicable
Special Transport Measures: Protect packaging from moisture and mechanical damage; store upright
Labels Required: Pharmaceutical product labels; hazardous if spills occur in bulk

Regulatory Information

Inventory Status: Listed on major chemical and pharmaceutical inventories
Labeling Requirements: GHS-compliant hazard and precautionary statements for workplace handling
Workplace Regulations: OSHA Hazard Communication Standard applies; Safety Data Sheet accessible to workers
Medical Uses: FDA-approved for OTC eye/nasal decongestant use in low concentrations; prescription guidelines exist for other forms
Restrictions: Maximum dose and concentration regulated in medical setting to prevent abuse and adverse effects
Environmental Regulations: Subject to pharmaceutical waste disposal standards, Clean Water Act restrictions for disposal