Product Name: Polyquaternium-10
Chemical Family: Cellulosic polymer, quaternized ammonium compound
Molecular Formula: Variable (depends on degree of polymerization and quaternization)
Chemical Name: Hydroxyethylcellulose, quaternized
SYNONYMS: Quaternium-19, UCARE Polymer JR-400, PQ-10
RELEVANT IDENTIFIED USES: Conditioning agent in shampoos, personal care products, skin cleansers, textile additives, water treatment
MANUFACTURER: Major producers include Ashland Inc., Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER: Refer to local poison control center, on-site first aid personal or emergency line.
REACH Registration Number: Exempt (polymer)
UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous
Pictogram: None required
Signal Word: None
Hazard Statements: May cause mild irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract upon direct contact; not acutely toxic
Precautionary Statements: Avoid creating dust, avoid inhalation and direct contact with eyes; use adequate ventilation
Most Important Hazards: Potential for dust explosion in finely divided powdered form; eye and respiratory irritation
Physical Hazards: None expected in normal use
Environmental Hazards: Low toxicity to aquatic life, but large quantities may affect water clarity or oxygen exchange
Human Health Impact: Risk limited to irritation with direct exposure
Chemical Substance: Polyquaternium-10
CAS Number: 68610-92-4
Concentration: 99%
Impurities: May contain less than 1% residual monomer or sodium chloride from manufacturing
Additional Components: Water in solutions and trace raw materials
Hazardous Impurities: None known above regulatory thresholds
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, support breathing, obtain medical attention if irritation or difficulty breathing persists
Skin Contact: Wash off with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical attention for persistent redness or irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present, seek medical help with ongoing symptoms
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water to dilute, do not induce vomiting unless directed by a physician, call a medical professional for advice
Advice to Medical Personnel: Treat symptomatically, monitor for allergic reaction in known sensitive individuals
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct high-pressure water jet may scatter powder or create dust cloud
Special Hazards: May emit carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides under combustion; dust clouds may ignite explosively if dispersed in air
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and chemical protective clothing
Firefighting Procedures: Contain run-off, isolate product from incompatible materials, evacuate personnel to safe area
Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen compounds
Personal Precautions: Wear protective clothing, safety goggles, gloves, NIOSH-approved respirator if dust is airborne
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, soil to avoid clogging or physical disruption
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up gently to minimize dust generation, collect for reuse or disposal in suitable labeled containers
Decontamination: Wash area with water to remove traces, avoid excessive water use that may transport product to drains
Storage of Waste: Keep spilled material in designated, closed containers pending disposal
Handling: Avoid dust formation, handle with adequate local ventilation, use protective equipment
Storage: Store in original, tightly closed containers in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong acids, anionic polymers
Hygiene: Wash hands before eating, drinking, or using restroom; keep product away from food and beverages
Packaging Materials: Use lined or sealed fiber drums, polyethylene containers or bags
Special Storage Requirements: Avoid moisture uptake, product may clump if exposed to high humidity or water
Occupational Exposure Limit: No specific OSHA or ACGIH limits, but observe nuisance dust standard (10 mg/m³ total dust, 3 mg/m³ respirable)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust or process enclosure to control airborne dust
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety glasses or splash goggles, protective gloves (nitrile, PVC), dust mask or N95 respirator
Skin and Body Protection: Lab coat or apron where splash or large contact possible
Ventilation: General and local exhaust recommended
Environmental Exposure Control: Avoid uncontrolled release, follow regulations for air and water
Form: Off-white to pale yellow free-flowing powder or granules
Odor: Faint, characteristic
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH: 6.0–8.5 (1% in water)
Melting Point: Not established (decomposes before melting)
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Solubility: Readily soluble in water, forms clear to slightly hazy viscous solutions
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Relative Density: 0.4–0.7 g/cm³
Bulk Density: 300–700 kg/m³
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not flammable in aqueous solutions; powder may pose dust explosion risk
Partition Coefficient: Not available
Auto-ignition Temperature: >250°C
Decomposition Temp: Begins to thermally degrade above 200°C
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions of use and storage
Thermal Decomposition: Releases formaldehyde, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide/ dioxide at high temperatures
Reactivity: Non-reactive with most organic and inorganic materials
Conditions to Avoid: Open flames, strong oxidizers, strong acids, strong bases, excessive humidity
Incompatibilities: Anionic detergents, polymeric sulfate or sulfonate compounds, strong oxidizers
Hazardous Reactions: None known under routine use
Polymerization: No hazardous polymerization expected
Acute Toxicity: Oral (rat) LD50 > 5000 mg/kg; low toxicity
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Slight skin irritation in sensitive individuals, not classified as a dermal irritant
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Mild irritation possible, not classified as a severe eye irritant
Respiratory: Inhalation of dust may cause temporary respiratory irritation
Chronic Effects: Not classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic
Allergic Reactions: No known sensitization reports for humans
Other Information: No evidence of bioaccumulation or persistence causing chronic toxicity
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (Fish, 96h) > 100 mg/L; practically non-toxic
Degradability: Not readily biodegradable, breaks down slowly in the environment
Bioaccumulation: Not expected to bioaccumulate; large molecular size limits absorption by living organisms
Mobility in Soil: Low; product binds to soil particles and organic matter
Effects on Wastewater: Can affect biological treatment processes at high concentrations due to quaternary nitrogen groups
PBT/vPvB Assessment: Not relevant for polymeric substances
Waste Disposal: Incinerate in approved facility or landfill in accordance with local, regional and national requirements
Packaging Disposal: Empty containers may contain product residue, rinse before recycling or disposal
Special Instructions: Do not discharge into natural waters, municipal sewage without prior treatment
Disposal Code: Considered non-hazardous waste under most regulations, confirm with local authority
UN Number: Not regulated
Proper Shipping Name: Not classified as dangerous good
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated
Packing Group: Not regulated
Marine Pollutant: No
Special Precautions: Avoid shipment with strong oxidizers or incompatible substances
IMDG, IATA, ADR: Not subject to international transport regulations
OSHA: Not classified as hazardous
TSCA: Listed
DSL/NDSL (Canada): Listed
EINECS/ELINCS (EU): Not specifically listed as a polymer, but monomers registered
REACH: Exempt as polymer
SARA Title III/Sec 313: Not listed
California Proposition 65: Not listed
WHMIS Classification: Not regulated
Other Regulations: No workplace exposure standards for active ingredient, but handle with basic chemical safety based on dust
