METHYL SALICYLATE
Basic information
- Chemical formula(s): \({\rm C_8H_8O_3}\)
- Other names: methyl hydroxybenzoate
- CAS: 119-36-8
- International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): N/A (see NOAA safety data sheet)
- Flammability: yes - requires considerable preheating
- NOAA’s description: colourless, yellowish or reddish liquid with odour of wintergreen
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
- Health (blue): 2 - intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury.
- Flammability (red): 1 - requires considerable preheating, under all ambient temperature conditions, before ignition and combustion can occur. Flash point above 93.3 °C.
- Instability–reactivity (yellow): 0 - normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water.
- Special notice (white): -
Hazard statements
| Code | Phrase |
|---|---|
| H302 | harmful if swallowed |
Precautionary statements
| Code | Phrase |
|---|---|
| P264 | wash … thoroughly after handling |
| P270 | do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product |
| P280 | wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection |
| P301+P312 | IF SWALLOWED: call the ETH Emergency Desk: +41 44 342 11 88 (from mobile) or 888 (from landline) |
| P302+P352 | IF ON SKIN: wash with soap and water |
| P305+P351+P338 | IF IN EYES: rinse continuously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing |
| P321 | specific treatment (see the label) |
| P330 | rinse mouth |
| P332+P313 | IF SKIN IRRITATION OCCURS: get medical advice/attention |
| P337+P313 | IF EYE IRRITATION PERSISTS: get medical advice/attention |
| P362 | take off contaminated clothing |
| P501 | dispose of contents/container to HCI-Shop |
Protective measures
Gloves
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and OSHA Glove Selection Chart do not provide recommendation on gloves for handling methyl salicylate. Becky, a PPE distributor, categorizes gloves into four protection levels (excellent, good, fair, not recommended) for given chemical. The levels of protection against methyl salicylate for four types of gloves are:
- Neoprene: fair.
- Natural latex or rubber: fair.
- Buthyl: N/A
- Nitrile: good.
Safety goggles
- Always wear safety goggles when handling methyl salicylate. Corrective glasses are not considered safety googles.
- Handle methyl salicylate inside the fume hood only (with exception of moving the closed bottle to and from the storage cabinet).
Clothing
- Wear long trousers and fully covered shoes.
- Contact lenses are forbidden while working with chemical substances, even in combination with safety glasses.
- Do not wear cosmetics.
- Do not wear synthetic clothing while working with flammable liquids or gases or when a hazard is present as these materials tend to melt and stick to exposed skin.
- Do not wear headphones.
Spill management
- Use personal protective equipment.
- Avoid dust formation, avoid breathing dust.
- Avoid breathing vapors or mist.
- Ensure adequate ventilation.
- Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
- Sweep up without creating dust and arrange disposal.
- Do not let it enter drain.
- If a spill happened outside the fume hood (on the floor or desktop) contact Dr Jakub Tkaczuk (+41 44 632 31 62) and the ETH Emergency Desk (+41 44 342 11 88 from mobile or 888 from landline).