Chemical Name: Piperazine
Synonyms: 1,4-Diazacyclohexane, hexahydropyrazine
CAS Number: 110-85-0
EC Number: 203-808-3
Recommended Use: Often used in pharmaceuticals, polymer stabilization, and as a chemical intermediate.
Supplier Information: Manufacturer name, address, emergency contact number always found on packaging or purchase documentation.
Emergency Phone: Poison control centers and local emergency contacts kept on hand for fast responses.
Product Code: Check company inventory systems or labeling for specific variations.
GHS Classification: Corrosive to skin and eyes, harmful if swallowed, suspected of causing genetic defects.
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe eye damage and skin burns. Harmful to aquatic life. Breathing in dust or fumes produces serious health effects.
Precautionary Statements: Always wear gloves and goggles, avoid inhaling vapors or dust, work in well-ventilated areas.
Pictogram: Corrosive and health hazard symbols found on containers remind users.
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal system.
Symptoms of Exposure: Coughing, skin redness, eye burns, abdominal pain, headaches, sometimes vomiting.
Fire and Explosion Risks: High temperatures and some reactive mixtures can make piperazine flammable.
Chemical Formula: C4H10N2
Concentration: Typically supplied as almost pure (over 98%) in most laboratory and industrial settings.
Other Ingredients: Traces of water or minor impurities vary by manufacturer.
Impurities: Minimal, but documentation should confirm negligible byproducts.
Common Forms: Usually sold as white crystals or flakes; can be found as a solution in water for some applications.
CAS Numbers for Major Components: Piperazine (110-85-0), water (7732-18-5 - if present).
Inhalation: Move affected person outside into fresh air immediately; keep comfortable and warm; medical attention needed for any sign of breathing difficulty.
Skin Contact: Take off contaminated clothing, rinse skin under running water for at least 15 minutes, contact a physician for persistent symptoms.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for a long time, removing contact lenses if present and easy to do; urgent care from an eye specialist recommended.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, do not induce vomiting, drink water only if fully conscious, seek medical care right away.
Most Important Symptoms and Effects: Burning sensation, severe irritation, risk of permanent eye damage, stomach upset, respiratory distress.
Advice for EMTs: Supportive care only; no antidote exists, so managing symptoms and preventing complications matters most.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical powder, foam, carbon dioxide.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Avoid water jets that may spread molten material.
Fire Hazards: Decomposition produces toxic fumes including nitrogen oxides and ammonia, particularly at high temperatures.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters wear full self-contained breathing apparatus and chemical resistant suits.
Special Precautions: Keep bystanders at a safe distance. Contaminated water from fighting efforts should not run into sewers or natural water sources.
Additional Info: Containers under fire risk explosion, so evacuate area if drums get hot.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, use full personal protective equipment, avoid skin and eye contact.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff into soil, drains, and waterways, signal the potential for harm to aquatic systems.
Cleanup Methods: Cover spilled crystals or dust with dry absorbent material, sweep up while keeping wetted, store in sealed, labeled containers for proper disposal.
Ventilation: Increase air flow at the scene to minimize fume and dust buildup; local exhaust fans and open windows help bump clearance time.
Notification: Report significant spills to environmental or workplace authorities as required by law.
Precautions for Safe Handling: Don gloves, goggles, protective coats; avoid splashing and dust creation; use tools to transfer material.
Storage Conditions: Keep in tightly closed drums or containers, store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated room away from strong acids, oxidizers, and open flames.
Incompatible Materials: Acids, acid chlorides, strong oxidizers, especially hypochlorite; reaction yields hazardous fumes.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, arms, and face after handling, don’t eat or drink nearby.
Specific End-Uses: Used under controlled conditions in labs and factories—never for consumer or unsupervised uses.
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA and ACGIH recommend airborne exposure below 0.1 mg/m³ over an eight-hour shift.
Engineering Controls: Fume hoods, local exhaust systems, well-sealed transfer systems facilitate safer use.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical goggles, impermeable gloves (nitrile or butyl best), lab coat or overalls, and in some situations, a face mask or full-face respirator.
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved masks where vapors, dust, or mists might arise.
Eye/Face Protection: Always use snug-fitting goggles or face shields around open containers.
Skin Protection: Long sleeves, closed shoes, optional chemical apron for larger-scale handling.
Appearance: White, crystalline solid or flakes, sometimes colorless lumps.
Odor: Slightly fishy to ammonia-like smell; can be irritating.
pH: Basic, usually above 10 when dissolved in water.
Melting Point: 106°C (223°F)
Boiling Point: 146°C (295°F)
Solubility: Dissolves well in water, some alcohols.
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature.
Density: About 1.2 g/cm³
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): LogP: -1.45
Flash Point: Above 85°C (for solid), varies slightly on purity.
Evaporation Rate: Not rapid.
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Greater than 320°C.
Reactivity: Piperazine attacks acids and acid chlorides, leading to intense heat and noxious gases.
Chemical Stability: Sits stable in closed containers under normal temperature and pressure.
Hazardous Reactions: Strong oxidizing agents (bleach, peroxides) and acid-induced reactions demand extreme caution.
Decomposition Products: Heating produces hazardous substances like ammonia, nitrosamines, oxides of nitrogen.
Conditions to Avoid: Keep away from sparks, excessive heat, wet conditions, strong acids.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact.
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 3,800 mg/kg; LD50 (dermal, rabbit): 1,800 mg/kg
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure linked to liver and kidney damage and potential reproductive effects.
Immediate Effects: Burns, nausea, difficulty breathing, risk of convulsions at high doses.
Delayed Effects: Potential for allergic dermatitis, respiratory sensitization.
Carcinogenicity: No established evidence for direct cancer risk, but some nitrosamine byproducts can be hazardous if formed.
Mutagenicity: Studies point to possible genetic impacts, still under investigation.
Reproductive Toxicity: Animal tests show risks of birth defects at high, repeated exposures.
Medical Symptoms: Skin redness, eye watering, headaches, abdominal pain, respiratory malfunctions, trembling.
Aquatic Toxicity: Known to disrupt aquatic organisms, particularly fish and invertebrates at concentrations ≥1 mg/L.
Persistence and Degradability: Breaks down slowly in water and soil, moderate level of environmental persistence.
Bioaccumulation: Low; does not readily build up in fish or plants, but caution remains due to water solubility.
Mobility in Soil: Moves easily through wet soils, risk of entering waterways near use points.
Other Adverse Effects: Deer, mammals, birds usually not severely affected at typical environmental concentrations, but gaps remain in full risk data.
Conclusion: Spills must be kept from entering storm drains, ponds, or spreads where they can build up unexpectedly.
Waste Treatment Methods: Send away for specialist chemical destruction or incineration; avoid pouring down regular drains.
Container Disposal: Empty drums treated as hazardous until triple-rinsed and decontaminated.
Disposal Regulations: Many countries count this as hazardous waste; consult national and regional guidelines before discarding.
Precautions: Never mix with household trash, compost, or recycling.
UN Number: 2579
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substance)
Packing Group: III
Proper Shipping Name: Piperazine
Marine Pollutant: No, but large shipments considered risky for aquatic life.
Labeling: Clear corrosive and chemical specific GDV/ADR signage required.
Special Precautions for User: Load trucks or crates with care, prevent package shaking, never transport with acid-containing goods.
Emergency Action Code: Refer to ERG Guidebook for rapid accident response steps.
OSHA Status: Listed as a hazardous chemical; safety reviews required before use.
TSCA Status: On the TSCA Inventory.
EPA Regulations: Considered hazardous for waste and effluent discharge, limits set for workplace and wastewater levels.
EU Regulations: Covered under REACH and CLP; strict workplace limits and safety messaging.
Other Regulations: CWC Schedule, Australian SUSMP, Canadian DSL/NDSL all demand safe handling.
Labelling Requirements: Containers must display correct signal words, GHS pictograms, hazard statements, manufacturer's name, and batch code.
Worker Training: Companies outline exposure procedures, incident response, and first-aid steps as part of mandatory onboarding.
