UNIVERSITY OF MALTA

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY

PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
CETYL ALCOHOL

Table of Contents

Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/29_01

Valid for:
2 years from approval

Page

1. Chemical Product
2. Composition and Information on Ingredients
3. Hazards Identification
4. First Aid Measures
5. Fire and Explosion Data
6. Accidental Release Measures
7. Handling and Storage
8. Exposure Controls/ Personal Protection
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
10. Stability and Reactivity Data
11. Toxicological Information
12. Ecological Information
13. Disposal Considerations
14. References
15. Appendices
16. Revision History

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UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
CETYL ALCOHOL

1.

Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/29_01

Valid for:
2 years from approval

Chemical Product

Product Name: Cetyl Alcohol

Chemical name: Cetyl Alcohol
Synonyms: 1-Hexadecanol; Adol; Cetaffine; Cetal; Cetylic alcohol; Cetylol; Ethal; Ethol;
Hexadecan-1-ol; Hexadecyl alcohol; Lorol 24; Loxanol K; n-Hexadecanol; n-Hexadecyl
alcohol; Palmityl alcohol
Chemical Formula: C16H34O
2.
Composition and Information on Ingredients
Composition: Not applicable
Toxicological Data on Ingredients:
ORAL (LD50): Acute: 5000 mg/kg [Rat]. 3200 mg/kg [Mouse].
DERMAL (LD50): Acute: 2600 mg/kg [Rabbit].
3.

Hazards Identification

Potential Acute Health Effects: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), eye
contact (irritant), ingestion or inhalation.
Potential Chronic Health Effects: Repeated or prolonged exposure is not known to
aggravate medical condition.
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not applicable
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not applicable
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not applicable
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not applicable

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UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
CETYL ALCOHOL

Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/29_01

Valid for:
2 years from approval

4.
First Aid Measures
General measures:
Skin contact: Wash with soap and water and cover the irritated skin with an emollient.
Serious skin contact: Get medical attention if irritation develops or persists.
Eye contact: Immediately remove any contact lenses and flush eyes with plenty of water for
at least 15 minutes.
Ingestion: Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Do not induce vomiting unless directed
by medical personnel.
Serious ingestion: Not applicable
Inhalation: Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband and remove victim
to fresh air. If not breathing give artificial respiration and if breathing is difficult give
oxygen.
Serious inhalation: Not applicable

5.

Fire and Explosion Data

Flammability of the Product: Combustible solid

Auto-Ignition Temperature: 250.556C
Flash points: >93.3C (PMCC)
Flammable limits:
Upper: 8%
Lower: 1%
Products of Combustion: Carbon oxides (CO, CO2)
Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Slightly flammable to flammable in
presence of open flames and sparks, of heat.
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UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
CETYL ALCOHOL

Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/29_01

Valid for:
2 years from approval

Explosion Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Not applicable

Fire fighting media and Instructions: For a small fire use dry chemical powder. While for
a large fire use water spray (not water jet), fog or foam.
Special Remarks on Fire Hazards: Not applicable
Special Remarks on Explosion Hazards: Not applicable

6.
Accidental Release Measures
NB: Wear appropriate protective equipment/clothing including gloves before removing
any spills.
Spills: Isolate spill area immediately and ventilate closed spaces. Use vacuum or broom
sweeping to remove to disposal container and if damp, flush with water. Prevent entry into
waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

7.

Handling and Storage

Precautions: Keep away from heat and sources of ignition. Ground all equipment containing
material. Do not breathe dust. Keep away from incompatibles such as oxidizing agents, acids.
Storage: Keep container tightly closed and stored in a cool, well-ventilated area.

8.
Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits: Not applicable
Engineering Controls: Not applicable
Personal Protection: Wear gloves, safety glasses, lab coat and appropriate dust respirator
when ventilation is inadequate.

Page 4 of 7

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
CETYL ALCOHOL

Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/29_01

Valid for:
2 years from approval

9.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical state and appearance: White solid powder or flakes
Odour: Odourless or faint citrus-like odour
Taste: Bland and mild
Molecular Weight: 242.43g
pH (1% solution/water): 6-8
Boiling Point: 344C (651.2F)
Melting Point: 49.3C (120.7F)
Critical Temperature: 487.85C (910.1F)
Specific Gravity (Water = 1): 0.8187 @ 50C
Vapour Pressure (mmHg): Not applicable
Vapour Density: 8.36
Volatility: Not applicable
Odour Threshold: Not applicable
Water/Oil Distribution Coefficient: Not applicable
Ionicity (in Water): Not applicable
Dispersion Properties: Water Solubility: 1.34x10-5 g/l
Solubility: Easily soluble in diethyl ether, soluble in acetone and chloroform, slightly soluble
in alcohol but insoluble in cold water.
10.

Stability and Reactivity Data

Stability: Stable
Corrosivity: Non-corrosive in presence of glass.
Instability temperature: Not applicable
Conditions of Instability: Excess heat and incompatible materials.
Incompatibles: Reactive with strong oxidizing agents and strong mineral acids.
Polymerization: Not applicable

Page 5 of 7

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
CETYL ALCOHOL

Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/29_01

Valid for:
2 years from approval

11.
Toxicological Information
Toxicity to animals:
ORAL (LD50): Acute: 5000 mg/kg [Rat]. 3200 mgkg-1 [Mouse].
INHALATION (LD50): Acute: 2220mg/m3/6H [Rat].
DERMAL (LD50): Acute: 2600 mg/kg [Rabbit]. 10000mgkg-1 [Guinea Pig].

Effects on humans:
Acute potential health effects: Mild to moderate skin irritation, mild eye irritation and may
also cause respiratory tract infection. When ingested may cause hypermotility and diarrhoea,
and may affect the cardiovascular system, respiration and behaviour/central nervous system
(tremor, ataxia).
Chronic potential health effects:
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not applicable
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not applicable
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not applicable
Other information: Not applicable
12.

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Not available

13.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal: What is not recycled must be handled as hazardous waste and sent to an
approved incinerator or disposed in an approved waste facility. Dispose in the container
marked NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE.
14.
-

References
Sciencelab.com. Material Safety Data Sheet; Cetyl Alcohol. [Online]. 2013 [cited
2013
Oct
10].
Available
from:
URL:
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9923363

CLP Chemicals. Cetyl Alcohol; Material Safety Data Sheet. [Online]. [cited 2013 Oct
Page 6 of 7

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
CETYL ALCOHOL

Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/29_01

Valid for:
2 years from approval

10].
Available
from:
URL:
http://www.clpchemicals.com/msds/Cetyl%20Alcohol%20MSDS%20CLP%20Chem
icals.pdf
-

Making Cosmetics. Cetyl Alcohol; Material Safety Data Sheet. [Online]. 2012 [cited
2013 Oct 10]. Available from: URL: http://www.makingcosmetics.com/msds1/msdscetyl-alcohol.pdf

Flinn Scientific Inc. Material Safety Data Sheet. [Online]. 2002 [cited 2013 Oct 10].
Available from: URL: http://east.cherryhill.k12.nj.us/msds/C/Cetyl%20Alcohol.pdf

15.
Appendices
Not applicable
16.

Revision History

Version Number

Amendments/ Reasons for change

01

Initial Release

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