Squalane: A Practical Guide to Its Safety and Handling

Identification

Substance Name: Squalane
Chemical Formula: C30H62
Common Uses: Skincare products, moisturizers, emollient in cosmetics, pharmaceutical ingredient

Hazard Identification

General Risk: Squalane rarely causes acute health issues. Touching or using it on the skin doesn’t bring out irritation for most people. Breathing in the fumes is not an issue, as it barely evaporates. Swallowing this oil might upset the stomach, but large amounts would be needed before that happens. Not known for causing allergies or sensitization. Eyes may get a bit uncomfortable if it splashes in.
Flammability: Squalane is flammable. If it gets hot enough, it burns. Vapors aren’t aggressive but a big enough spill near heat could ignite.
Environment: Pouring squalane straight into drains or soil invites slow breakdown in the wild – it won’t instantly evaporate or degrade.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Squalane
CAS Number: 111-01-3
Purity: Often used at over 95% concentration
Impurities of Note: High-quality cosmetic products keep unwanted chemicals to a minimum.

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Rinse gently with clean water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do.
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water if irritation develops, though this is rare.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air if any vapor causes discomfort, though this is unlikely unless heated substantially.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Drinking water helps with minor upset, but medical help is needed only for larger amounts or persistent symptoms.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide, or sand work well. Water can cool the containers but might not knock down flames as fast as foam or powder.
Special Hazards: Heating beyond the flash point releases fumes and can ignite the vapor. Containers exposed to fire might rupture from pressure.
Firefighting Advice: Stay upwind, wear protective gear, and avoid breathing in combustion products like smoke or fumes.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Protection: Gloves resist slippery spills, non-slip shoes prevent falls. Ventilating the area matters if a large amount leaks.
Spill Cleanup: Soak squalane up with absorbent materials such as sand, earth, or commercial absorbents. Shovel into sealable containers for disposal. Wash the area thoroughly afterward.
Environmental Precautions: Keep spills away from waterways or drains to avoid contamination that breaks down slowly.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Wear protective gloves if handling large volumes, avoid open flames, never smoke nearby. Even though it isn’t harsh, it’s better to avoid splashing it in your eyes.
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers made from compatible materials. Keep away from heat sources, direct sunlight, or strong oxidizers. A cool, dry, well-ventilated area prevents accidental ignition and product breakdown over time.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Workplace Controls: Good ventilation helps in areas where squalane gets heated or aerosolized. No specific exposure limits apply in most settings.
Personal Protection: Gloves protect against slippery surfaces. Goggles come out when splashing risk rises, such as decanting bulk liquid. Everyday work clothes usually suffice since squalane won’t hurt skin in quick, light contact.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear, colorless, odorless oil
Boiling Point: Above 350°C
Melting Point: Below freezing
Vapor Pressure: Extremely low at room temperature
Flash Point: Above 200°C
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in oils and organic solvents
Viscosity: Moderate; spreads smoothly
Density: About 0.8 g/cm³

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Squalane stands up to storage at normal temperatures. It keeps stable as long as it stays out of strong sunlight and away from harsh chemicals.
Reactivity: Avoid oxidizers, acids, and high heat. Squalane is not reactive under most storage and handling conditions, but exposure to flames, heat, or UV light can prompt breakdown or combustion.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Burning releases carbon oxides (CO, CO₂) and other compounds you don’t want in your lungs.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low oral and dermal toxicity. Contact with skin causes little or no irritation, even with extended use in cosmetics. Eye exposure can make the eyes uncomfortable but rarely results in damage.
Chronic Effects: Studies on lab animals and long-term human use haven’t shown it to cause cancer, birth defects, or buildup in organs. Squalane isn’t absorbed much or changed into harmful forms once inside the body.
Sensitization: Not known to trigger allergic reactions in most people.

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Squalane breaks down slowly in water and soil. Fish and plants can be affected only in major spills. Squalane floats if poured in rivers or lakes and doesn’t dissolve.
Persistence: Not quickly degraded by sun or bacteria.
Bioaccumulation: Low bioaccumulation risk. Marine and freshwater life have limited capacity to take up squalane and retain it.
Disposal: Prevent large releases to wildlife or waterways due to the long breakdown time.

Disposal Considerations

Preferred Method: Dispose of squalane as waste oil or with oily residues following local regulations. If possible, recycle or incinerate in proper waste facilities.
Small Quantities: Absorb on an inert material and send along with regular hazardous waste.
Precaution: Keep squalane from public land, water, or storm drains to avoid ecosystem harm.

Transport Information

Transport Hazard Class: Squalane is not marked as dangerous under most shipping rules due to its low volatility and chemical stability.
Packaging: Shipping in clean, dry, sealed containers keeps it from leaking or spoiling.
Spill Risk: Containers must resist knocks and punctures in transit, as oil spills are slippery and messy to clean.

Regulatory Information

Classification: Generally considered non-hazardous under OSHA, REACH, and GHS for routine handling. Cosmetic use remains unrestricted in major markets.
Labelling: No signal words, hazard statements, or pictograms required on finished products in most countries.
Restrictions: Manufacturing facilities have workplace safety requirements for oils and flammables.
Notification: Bulk quantities or industrial uses may require notification or permits in some jurisdictions, especially for storage volumes above threshold limits.