🛡️ Hazard Overview
- GHS Class: None
- Signal Word: Not applicable
- Hazard Statements: None
🧤 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: Cholesterol
- Catalog Number: S4154
- CAS Number: 57-88-5
- IUPAC Name: Cholest-5-en-3-ol (3β)-
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):
Not classified as a hazardous substance according to GHS.
2.2 GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Hazard Pictogram(s):
None.
Signal Word:
Not applicable
Hazard statement(s):
None.
Precautionary statement(s):
None.
2.3 Other hazards
None.
3.1 Substances
Product name: Cholesterol
CAS Number: 57-88-5
PubChem CID: 5997
Molecular formula: C27H46O
Molecular weight: 386.7 g/mol
IUPAC name: (3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol
3.2 Mixtures
Not applicable (pure substance).
4.1 Description of first aid measures
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Skin contact: Wash with plenty of soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Seek medical attention if irritation develops.
Eye contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Seek medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel. Seek medical attention.
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
Combustible. Heating may produce toxic fumes.
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.
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
SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.
7.1 Precautions for safe handling
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practices.
Wear appropriate PPE (see Section 8). Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Do not eat, drink, or smoke in work area.
Avoid dust formation. Use only in a chemical fume hood or well-ventilated area.
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 safety glasses with side shields.
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: White or faintly yellow solid; Nearly odorless; [HSDB] Beige solid; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]
b) Odor: Almost odorless
c) Odor threshold: No data available
d) pH: No data available
e) Melting point/freezing point: 148.5 °C
f) Initial boiling point and boiling range: 360 °C (decomposes)
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: VP: 0.171 mm Hg at 149 °C
l) Vapor density: No data available
m) Relative density: 1.067 @ 20 °C/4 °C
n) Water solubility: Moderately soluble in hot alcohol; soluble in benzene, oils, fats and aq solns of bile salts
o) Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water: Log P (n-octanol/water): 8.7
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): 20.2 Ų
Complexity: 591
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.
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).
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:
No data available.
Respiratory or skin sensitization:
No data available.
Germ cell mutagenicity:
No data available.
Carcinogenicity:
No data available.
Reproductive toxicity:
No data available.
Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure):
No data available.
Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure):
No data available.
Aspiration hazard:
No data available.
11.2 Additional information
Carcinogen classification:
Cholesterol
Group 3: Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
Volume 31: (1983) Some Food Additives, Feed Additives and Naturally Occurring Substances
Volume Sup 7: Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity: An Updating of IARC Monographs Volumes 1 to 42, 1987; 440 pages; ISBN 92-832-1411-0 (out of print)
1987
1987
3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. (L135)
Exposure routes:
Ingestion, endogenous production.
Signs and symptoms of exposure:
There are no visible symptoms of high serum cholesterol. The following are symptoms of cardiovascular diseases: shortness of breath, chest pain, pain or weakness in legs or arms, pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen, poor exercise tolerance, atherosclerotic plaques.
Data source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) via PubChem.
12.1 Toxicity
Cholesterol is found in animals and humans in all body tissues. Cholesterol may be released directly into the environment in effluents from wastewater treatment facilities. If released to air, an estimated vapor pressure of 7.8X10-10 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates cholesterol will exist solely in the particulate phase in the ambient atmosphere. Particulate-phase cholesterol will be removed from the atmosphere by wet and dry deposition. If released to soil, cholesterol is expected to have no mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 16,000. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.67X10-4 atm-cu m/mole. However, adsorption to soil is expected to attenuate volatilization. If released into water, cholesterol is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment based upon the estimated Koc. Volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be an important fate process based upon this compound's estimated Henry's Law constant. Estimated volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 8.9 hours and 11 days, respectively. However, volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be attenuated by adsorption to suspended solids and sediment in the water column. An estimated BCF of 270 suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high. Hydrolysis is not expected to be an important environmental fate process since this compound lacks functional groups that hydrol
12.2 Persistence and degradability
No data available.
12.3 Bioaccumulative potential
Log P (n-octanol/water): 8.7
Potential for bioaccumulation exists (Log P > 3).
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
No other adverse ecological effects identified.
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: No (not 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 (REACH Active)
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:
No SARA Hazards.
Massachusetts Right To Know Components:
No components are subject to the Massachusetts Right to Know Act.
Pennsylvania Right To Know Components:
No components are subject to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Act.
New Jersey Right To Know Components:
No components are subject to the New Jersey Right to Know Act.
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: Cholest-5-en-3-ol, (3.beta.)-
- FDA Requirements: Drug products containing active ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for the treatment of boils. (a) ... /Cholesterol has/ been present in OTC boil treatment drug products. There is a lack of adequate data to establish general recognition of the safety and effectiveness of these or any other i
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: 2026/09/09
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.