L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) SDS/MSDS (Safety Data Sheet)

3.1 Substances
Product name: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
CAS Number: 50-81-7
PubChem CID: 54670067
Molecular formula: C6H8O6
Molecular weight: 176.12 g/mol
IUPAC name: (2R)-2-[(1S)-1,2-dihydroxyethyl]-3,4-dihydroxy-2H-furan-5-one

3.2 Mixtures
Not applicable (pure substance).

4.1 Description of first aid measures
Inhalation: Fresh air, rest.
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: Rinse with plenty of water (remove contact lenses if easily possible).
Ingestion: Rinse mouth.

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 material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. A water spray may also be used. (NTP, 1992)
Use water spray, powder, carbon dioxide.

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
Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Collect the spilled substance into containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Wash away remainder with plenty of water.
SRP: Expired or waste pharmaceuticals shall carefully take into consideration applicable DEA, EPA, and FDA regulations. It is not appropriate to dispose by flushing the pharmaceutical down the toilet or discarding to trash. If possible return the pharmaceutical to the manufacturer for proper disposal being careful to properly label and securely package the material. Alternatively, the waste pharmaceutical shall be labeled, securely packaged and transported by a state licensed medical waste contractor to dispose by burial in a licensed hazardous or toxic waste landfill or incinerator.
SRP: At the time of review, regulatory criteria for small quantity disposal are subject to significant revision, however, household quantities of waste pharmaceuticals may be managed as follows: Mix with wet cat litter or coffee grounds, double bag in plastic, discard in trash.
SRP: 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
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.
STORAGE PRECAUTIONS: You should protect this chemical from exposure to light. Keep the container tightly closed under an inert atmosphere, and store under refrigerated temperatures. (NTP, 1992)
Separated from strong oxidants and strong bases.
Solutions of ascorbic acid are rapidly oxidized in air and in alkaline media; the drug should be protected from air and light.

7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Separated from strong oxidants and strong bases.
Solutions of ascorbic acid are rapidly oxidized in air and in alkaline media; the drug should be protected from air and light.
Store away from incompatible materials (see Section 10).
[Note: Specific storage temperature not available in public databases. Refer to supplier Certificate of Analysis (COA) for exact storage conditions.]

9.1 Information on basic physical and chemical properties
a) Appearance: L-ascorbic acid is a white to very pale yellow crystalline powder with a pleasant sharp acidic taste. Almost odorless. (NTP, 1992)
b) Odor: Odorless
c) Odor threshold: No data available
d) pH: Between 2,4 and 2,8 (2 % aqueous solution)
e) Melting point/freezing point: 374 to 378 °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: 1.65 (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water; will sink
n) Water solubility: greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 73 °F (NTP, 1992)
o) Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water: Log P (n-octanol/water): -1.6
p) Auto-ignition temperature: 1220 °F (NTP, 1992)
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): 107 Ų
Complexity: 232

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:
L-Ascorbic acid
TR-247: Carcinogenesis Bioassay of L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) (CASRN 50-81-7) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Study) (1983 )
06/16/82
No Evidence
No Evidence
No Evidence
No Evidence
Under the conditions of this bioassay, L-ascorbic acid was not carcinogenic for male and female F344/N rats or male and female B6C3F1 mice.
Exposure routes:
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.
Signs and symptoms of exposure:
Cough.
Redness.
Data source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) via PubChem.

12.1 Toxicity
LC50 Species: /Oncorhynchus mykiss/ (Rainbow trout); Concentration: 1,020 mg/L for 96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified in source examined/
/AQUATIC SPECIES/ Although no formal long-term toxicity studies have been performed L-Ascorbic Acid is widely used to supplement the diet of fish reared for food production. The tolerance to L-Ascorbic Acid has been reviewed by the Sub-Committee on Vitamin Tolerance of the US Board on Agriculture National Research Council. The following dietary levels are reported to have no adverse effect in developing hatchlings: trout 10 g/kg for 16 weeks, no adverse effect; catfish, approx wt 25 g, 5 g/kg for 150 days, no adverse effect /From table/. These dietary concentrations are approximately 100 times the normal requirements for healthy growth and wound healing in trout and catfish which are respectively 100 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg.
L-Ascorbic acid's production and use as in nutrition, color fixing, flavoring and preservative in meats and other foods, as an oxidant in bread dough, in abscission of citrus fruit in harvesting, as a reducing agent in analytical chemistry, and as an antimicrobial and antioxidant in foodstuffs may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. L-Ascorbic acid is widely distributed in the plant and animal kingdom. If released to air, an estimated vapor pressure of 9.8X10-11 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates L-ascorbic acid will exist solely in the particulate phase in the atmosphere. Particulate-phase

12.2 Persistence and degradability
No data available.

12.3 Bioaccumulative potential
Log P (n-octanol/water): -1.6
Low potential for bioaccumulation (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: L-Ascorbic acid
- EFSA Legal Basis: Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (amended)
- Status Regulation (EC): Dossier complete 05/751/EC, Reg (EU) 2018/155, Reg. (EU) 2020/2007, Reg. (EU) 2022/489, Reg. (EU) No 149/2014
- FIFRA Requirements: Unless specifically excluded, residues resulting from the use of the following substances as either an inert or an active ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation, including antimicrobial pesticide chemicals, are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance under FFDCA section 408, if such use
- FDA Requirements: Ascorbic acid used as a chemical preservative in food for human consumption is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice.
Ascorbic acid used as a nutrient in food for human consumption is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manuf

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.