🛡️ Hazard Overview
- GHS Class: GHS05; GHS06; GHS07; GHS08; GHS09
- Signal Word: Danger
- Hazard Statements: H301; H302; H318; H319; H350; H351; H361; H373; H400; H410
🧤 PPE Guidelines
- Gloves: Chemical‑resistant gloves suggested
- Eye Protection: Safety goggles suggested
- Respirator: Dust respirator if dust occurs
❄️ Storage
- Storage Temp: -20°C (-4°F) Keep dry
🚑 Emergency First Aid
- For inhalation, skin, eye or ingestion exposure, please refer to full SDS Section 4.
Product identifier
- Product Name: Crystal Violet
- Catalog Number: S1917
- CAS Number: 548-62-9
- IUPAC Name: N-[4-[bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]methylene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene]-N-methyl-methanaminium, chloride (1:1)
Relevant identified uses and uses advised against
- Identified uses: For research and development use only; laboratory chemicals; manufacture of substances.
- Uses advised against: Not for pharmaceutical, household, or other unapproved uses.
Details of the supplier
- Company: Selleck Chemicals
- TollFree: +1 877 796-6397
- Tel: +1 832 582-8158
- Fax: +1 832 582-8590
Emergency telephone number
- Emergency phone #: +1 832 582-8158
2.1 GHS classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS):
Acute toxicity (oral): Category 3. H301
Acute toxicity (oral): Category 4. H302
Serious eye damage: Category 1. H318
Serious eye irritation: Category 2. H319
Carcinogenicity: Category 1. H350
Carcinogenicity: Category 2. H351
Reproductive toxicity: Category 2. H361
Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure): Category 2. H373
Acute aquatic toxicity: Category 1. H400
Chronic aquatic toxicity: Category 1. H410
2.2 GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Hazard Pictogram(s):
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Signal Word:
Danger
Hazard statement(s):
H301: Toxic if swallowed
H302: Harmful if swallowed
H318: Causes serious eye damage
H319: Causes serious eye irritation
H350: May cause cancer
H351: Suspected of causing cancer
H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
H373: May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H400: Very toxic to aquatic life
H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Precautionary statement(s):
Prevention:
P203: Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
P260: Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray.
P264: Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
P264+P265: Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection.
Response:
P301+P316: IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
P301+P317: IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
P305+P351: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
P305+P354: IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
P317: Get emergency medical help.
P318: if exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
P319: Get medical help if you feel unwell.
P321: Specific treatment (see information on this label and safety datasheet)).
P330: Rinse mouth.
P337+P317: If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
P338: Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P391: Collect spillage.
Storage:
P405: Store locked up.
Disposal:
P501: P501 Dispose of contents/ container to an approved waste disposal plant.
2.3 Other hazards
None.
3.1 Substances
Product name: Crystal Violet
CAS Number: 548-62-9
PubChem CID: 11057
Molecular formula: C25H30ClN3
Molecular weight: 408.0 g/mol
IUPAC name: [4-[bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]methylidene]cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene]-dimethylazanium chloride
3.2 Mixtures
Not applicable (pure substance).
4.1 Description of first aid measures
Inhalation: INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to t
Skin contact: SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.
Eye contact: EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.
Ingestion: INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport
4.2 Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
See Section 11 (Toxicological Information).
4.3 Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
Treat symptomatically. Contact a poison control center or physician for severe exposure.
5.1 Extinguishing media
Suitable: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide (CO2), alcohol-resistant foam.
Unsuitable: None known.
5.2 Specific hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Fires involving this compound should be controlled using a Halon, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)
5.3 Advice for firefighters
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective clothing.
Fight fire from upwind. Cool containers with water spray until fire is extinguished.
6.1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (see Section 8).
Avoid breathing dust/vapor. Ensure adequate ventilation.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Keep people away from and upwind of spill.
WARNING: Highly toxic — only trained personnel should handle spills.
6.2 Environmental precautions
Prevent product from entering drains, waterways, or soil.
Contain spill with inert absorbent material.
6.3 Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
In water & buffered water samples crystal violet was decomp & decolorized by photolysis & radiolysis.
1.5 g of water-insoluble poly-n-vinylpyrrolidone adsorbent was added to 15 mL waste water (absorbance 28.4) containing crystal violet at 20 deg, and after agitating the waste water was settled for 2 hr and centrifuged to remove pptd materials.
SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.
Incineration: 1) Dissolve in such combustible solvent as alcohols, etc. Spray the soln into the furnace with afterburner and scrubber. 2) Pour into sodium bicarbonate or a mixture of sand and Na2CO3 /sodium carbonate/ (9:1). After mixing, transfer into a paper carton filled with packing paper. Burn in an open furnace, or more efficiently in the furnace with afterburner and scrubber.
7.1 Precautions for safe handling
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: You should dampen the solid spill material with acetone, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with acetone to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the adsorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with acetone followed by washing with a strong soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminate area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.
STORAGE PRECAUTIONS: You should protect this material from exposure to light, and store it in a refrigerator. (NTP, 1992)
7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep container tightly closed.
Store away from incompatible materials (see Section 10).
Protect from light and moisture.
Recommended storage (industry convention for research compounds): -20°C for long-term storage; 2-8°C for short-term use and transport.
[Note: This is a general industry recommendation. Always verify exact storage conditions with the supplier Certificate of Analysis (COA).]
8.1 Exposure controls
8.1.1 Occupational exposure limits (OEL)
OSHA PEL: Not established.
ACGIH TLV: Not established.
NIOSH REL: Not established.
No occupational exposure limit values are established for this substance.
Use the lowest feasible exposure level (ALARA principle).
8.1.2 Appropriate engineering controls
Use in a well-ventilated area. Chemical fume hood recommended for powder handling.
8.2 Individual protection measures
8.2.1 Eye/face protection
Wear chemical safety goggles and face shield.
8.2.2 Skin protection
Wear protective gloves. Recommended material: Nitrile rubber.
Wear suitable protective clothing (lab coat).
8.2.3 Respiratory protection
Respiratory protection usually not required under normal use with adequate ventilation.
Use N95 respirator for large-scale powder handling.
8.2.4 Thermal hazards
Not applicable.
9.1 Information on basic physical and chemical properties
a) Appearance: Hexamethyl-p-rosaniline chloride is a green to dark green powder. (NTP, 1992)
b) Odor: No data available
c) Odor threshold: No data available
d) pH: No data available
e) Melting point/freezing point: 419 °F (Decomposes) (NTP, 1992)
f) Initial boiling point and boiling range: No data available
g) Flash point: No data available
h) Evaporation rate: No data available
i) Flammability (solid, gas): No data available
j) Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: No data available
k) Vapor pressure: No data available
l) Vapor density: No data available
m) Relative density: No data available
n) Water solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 86 °F (NTP, 1992)
o) Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water: Log P: No data available
p) Auto-ignition temperature: No data available
q) Decomposition temperature: No data available
r) Viscosity: No data available
s) Explosive properties: No data available
t) Oxidizing properties: No data available
9.2 Other information
Topological Polar Surface Area (TPSA): 9.5 Ų
Complexity: 542
10.1 Reactivity
No specific reactivity hazards identified under normal handling conditions.
10.2 Chemical stability
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
10.3 Possibility of hazardous reactions
No hazardous reactions under normal conditions.
10.4 Conditions to avoid
Avoid heat, sparks, open flames, direct sunlight, and moisture.
Avoid strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, and strong bases.
10.5 Incompatible materials
Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong bases.
10.6 Hazardous decomposition products
Thermal decomposition may produce: Carbon monoxide (CO), Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride (HCl).
See also Section 5 (Fire-fighting measures) for combustion products.
11.1 Information on toxicological effects
Acute toxicity:
No acute toxicity data available.
Skin corrosion/irritation:
No data available.
Serious eye damage/eye irritation:
Causes serious eye damage (H318).
Respiratory or skin sensitization:
No data available.
Germ cell mutagenicity:
No data available.
Carcinogenicity:
May cause cancer (H350).
Reproductive toxicity:
Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child (H361).
Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure):
H373
Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure):
No data available.
Aspiration hazard:
No data available.
11.2 Additional information
Carcinogen classification:
Gentian violet
Group 2B: Possibly carcinogenic to humans
Volume 129: (2022) Gentian Violet, Leucogentian Violet, Malachite Green, Leucomalachite Green, and CI Direct Blue 218
2022 online
2021
No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Signs and symptoms of exposure:
Symptoms of low dose exposure include excessive salivation and eye-watering. Acute dose symptoms include severe nausea/vomiting, salivation, sweating, bradycardia, hypotension, collapse, and convulsions. Increasing muscle weakness is a possibility and may result in death if respiratory muscles are involved. Hypertension, hypoglycemia, anxiety, headache, tremor and ataxia may also result.
Data source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) via PubChem.
12.1 Toxicity
LC50; Species: Oryzias latipes (Japanese Medaka) length 2 cm, weight 0.2 g; Conditions: freshwater, static, 25 °C; Concentration: 200 ug/L for 24 hr /formulation/
LC50; Species: Oryzias latipes (Japanese Medaka) length 2 cm, weight 0.2 g; Conditions: freshwater, static, 25 °C; Concentration: 100 ug/L for 48 hr /formulation/
Gentian violet's production and use as a dye for wood, silk, paper, in inks; as a biological stain, and as an antiseptic may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. Gentian violet, when released to the environment, will exist in the cation form. If released to air, an estimated vapor pressure of 1.0X10-13 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates gentian violet will exist solely in the particulate phase in the atmosphere. Particulate-phase gentian violet will be removed from the atmosphere by wet and dry deposition. Gentian violet absorbs light at wavelength 590 nm and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight. If released to soil, gentian violet is expected to be immobile based upon an estimated Koc of 6.1X10+5. The estimated pKa of gentian violet is 8.64, indicating that this compound will exist almost entirely in the cation form in the environment and cations generally adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts. Volatilization from moist soil is not expected because the compound exists as an cation and ions do not volatilize. Utilizing a river die-away test, trans
12.2 Persistence and degradability
No data available.
12.3 Bioaccumulative potential
No data available.
12.4 Mobility in soil
No data available.
12.5 Results of PBT and vPvB assessment
PBT/vPvB assessment not available.
12.6 Other adverse effects
This substance is classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment.
13.1 Waste treatment methods
Waste Treatment Methods: Waste material must be disposed of in accordance with national and local regulations. Leave chemicals in original containers and do not mix with other waste. Handle uncleaned containers in the same manner as the product itself.
14.1 UN number
Not regulated as dangerous goods (research quantities typically exempt).
14.2 UN proper shipping name
Not subject to transport regulations (small quantities for research use).
14.3 Transport hazard class(es)
Not classified as dangerous goods for transport (research quantities).
14.4 Packing group
Not applicable (not regulated as dangerous goods in typical research quantities).
14.5 Environmental hazards
Marine pollutant: Yes (classified as environmentally hazardous per GHS).
14.6 Special precautions for user
Transport in original packaging. Ensure containers are tightly sealed.
For bulk or commercial quantities, consult applicable transport regulations (DOT, IATA, IMDG).
14.7 Transport in bulk according to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the IBC Code
Not applicable.
15.1 Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture
US EPA / TSCA: Subject to EPA TSCA regulations
EU ECHA / REACH: Registered under REACH
SARA 302 Components:
No chemicals in this material are subject to the reporting requirements of SARA Title III, Section 302.
SARA 313 Components:
This material does not contain any chemical components with known CAS numbers that exceed the threshold (De Minimis) reporting levels established by SARA Title III, Section 313.
SARA 311/312 Hazards:
Acute (short-term) health hazard
Chronic (long-term) health hazard
Environmental hazard
Massachusetts Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the Massachusetts Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
Pennsylvania Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
New Jersey Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the New Jersey Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
California Prop. 65 Components:
This product does not contain any chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or any other reproductive harm.
Other regulatory listings:
- The Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals: Chemical: Methanaminium, N-[4-[bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]methylene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene]-N-methyl-, chloride
- California Safe Cosmetics Program (CSCP) Reportable Ingredient: Hazard Traits - Carcinogenicity Authoritative List - EC Annex VI CMRs - Cat. 1B; IARC Carcinogens - 2B; Prop 65 Report - regardless of intended function of ingredient in the product
- Status Regulation (EC): 2002/2076
- FDA Requirements: The Food and Drug Administration has determined that gentian violet is not generally recognized as safe for use in animal feed and is a food additive subject to section 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act), unless it is intended for use as a new animal drug, in which case it is
15.2 Chemical safety assessment
A chemical safety assessment has not been carried out for this substance.
For research-use-only compounds, no CSA is required under REACH Annex I.
Revision Date: 2026/09/08
Further Information: The information provided is believed to be correct but is not exhaustive and should be used only as a guideline based on current knowledge. It does not represent a guarantee of the properties of the product. Selleck Chemicals Corporation and its Affiliates shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from handling or contact with the product.