Document ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2003-0067-0030
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2003-11-17T05:00Z

Effective
Date:
May
16,
2003
Page
1
of
8
Material
Safety
Data
Sheet
1.
CHEMICAL
PRODUCT
AND
COMPANY
IDENTIFICATION
Product
Name:
Urea
CAS
Number:
57­
13­
6
Product
Uses:
Agricultural
industry:
Fertilizer,
manufacturing
of
specialty
fertilizers
Industrial
application:
Production
of
specialty
pollution
control
solutions
Chemical
Name:
Urea
Chemical
Family:
Amides
Synonyms
and
Common
Trade
Names:
Carbamide;
carbonyldiamine;
carbonyl
diamide
Company
Identification:

Manufacturer's
Name:
CF
Industries,
Inc.
Address:
One
Salem
Lake
Drive,
Long
Grove,
Illinois,
60047­
8402
Telephone:
(
847)
438­
9500
2.
COMPOSITION/
INFORMATION
ON
INGREDIENTS
Component
Name
Weight
Percentage
CAS
Number
Urea
Biuret
(
H2NCONHCONH2)
Water
Urea
reaction
products
with
formaldehyde
(
primarily
methylenediurea)
95.4­
97.6
1.0­
1.5
0.1­
0.4
1.3­
2.7
57­
13­
6
108­
19­
0
7732­
18­
5
68611­
64­
3
For
Emergency
Call:
CHEMTREC
­­
(
800)
424­
9300
Effective
Date:
May
16,
2003
Page
2
of
8
3.
HAZARDS
IDENTIFICATION
Potential
Health
Effects
Eyes:
May
cause
irritation,
redness,
and
pain.

Skin:
Not
expected
to
be
toxic
by
dermal
exposure.
May
cause
irritation,
redness,
itching,
and
pain.

Inhalation:
Not
expected
to
be
toxic
by
inhalation.
Urea
dust
may
cause
irritation
of
the
nose,
throat,
and
respiratory
tract.

Ingestion:
Not
found
to
be
toxic
by
oral
exposure.
May
cause
irritation
of
the
digestive
tract
if
ingested.
Nausea
and
vomiting
may
occur
after
exposure
to
large
quantities.

Pre­
Existing
Medical
Conditions:
Conditions
aggravated
by
exposure
may
include
skin
disorders
and
respiratory
(
asthma­
like)
disorders.

Late
Toxicities:
Urea
is
not
known
to
cause
mutagenic,
carcinogenic,
or
reproductive
effects
from
concentrations
or
exposure
routes
normally
experienced
in
the
workplace.

4.
FIRST
AID
Eyes:
Move
victim
away
from
exposure
and
into
fresh
air.
If
irritation
or
redness
develops,
flush
eyes
with
clean
water.
For
direct
contact,
hold
eyelids
open
and
flush
eye(
s)
immediately
with
clean
water
for
at
least
15
minutes.
Seek
medical
attention
if
necessary.

Skin:
Flush
affected
area(
s)
with
large
amounts
of
water.
If
skin
surface
is
damaged,
apply
a
clean
dressing.
If
skin
surface
is
not
damaged,
cleanse
affected
area(
s)
thoroughly
by
washing
with
mild
soap
and
water.
Wash
contaminated
clothing
before
reuse.
If
irritation
or
redness
develops,
seek
medical
attention.

Inhalation:
Remove
victim
from
source
and
allow
to
rest
in
well
ventilated
area.
If
breathing
is
difficult,
obtain
immediate
medical
attention.

Ingestion:
Rinse
mouth
and
drink
plenty
of
water.
Seek
medical
attention
if
necessary.

Notes
to
Physician:
None
Emergency
Overview
Notice!
When
heated,
decomposes
to
carbon
dioxide
and
ammonia;
if
burned,
emits
small
amounts
of
nitrogen
oxides.
Can
cause
redness
and
irritation
of
skin
and
eyes.

White
granules
with
either
no
odor
or
having
a
slight
odor
of
ammonia
(
in
presence
of
moisture).
Effective
Date:
May
16,
2003
Page
3
of
8
5.
FIRE
FIGHTING
MEASURES
Flammability:
Urea
is
not
flammable.

Flash
Point
(
test
method):
Not
applicable
Flammable
Limits:
Not
applicable
Explosive
Limits:
Not
applicable
Autoignition
Temperature:
Not
applicable
Extinguishing
Media:
Use
extinguishing
media
suitable
for
surrounding
fire.

NFPA
Fire
Rating:
Flammability
0
Health
Hazard
1
Instability
0
Specific
Hazard
Not
applicable
Key:
Least
=
0,
Slight
=
1,
Moderate
=
2,
High
=
3,
Extreme
=
4
Special
Firefighting
Procedures:
Fire
fighters
should
use
NIOSH
approved
self­
contained
breathing
apparatus
and
full
protective
equipment
when
fighting
chemical
fires.

Unusual
Fire
and
Explosive
Hazards:
At
elevated
temperatures,
urea
forms
hazardous
decomposition
products,
including
ammonia.
Refer
to
Section
10
for
details.
Explosive
on
contact
with
halogens
such
as
chloride.

6.
ACCIDENTAL
RELEASE
MEASURES
Recover
any
reusable
product,
taking
care
not
to
generate
excess
dust.
Use
caution
as
product
may
be
slippery
when
wet.
Keep
product
out
of
sewage
and
drainage
systems
and
all
bodies
of
water.
Clean
up
spills
immediately.

Place
contaminated
materials
in
disposable
containers
and
dispose
of
in
a
manner
consistent
with
applicable
regulations.
Contact
local
environmental
or
health
authorities
for
approved
disposal
of
this
material.

Neutralizing
Chemicals:
Not
applicable
7.
HANDLING
AND
STORAGE
Handling:
The
use
of
respiratory
protection
is
advised
when
dust
concentrations
exceed
any
established
exposure
limits
(
see
Section
8).

Storage:
Keep
dry.
Urea
will
absorb
moisture
from
air.
If
storage
piles
become
wet,
surrounding
floor
may
be
slippery.
Reacts
with
hypochlorites
to
form
nitrogen
trichloride,
which
explodes
spontaneously
in
air.
Reacts
with
nitric
acid
to
form
urea
nitrate
that
decomposes
explosively
when
heated.
Effective
Date:
May
16,
2003
Page
4
of
8
8.
EXPOSURE
CONTROLS/
PERSONAL
PROTECTION
Ventilation:
Use
process
enclosure,
general
dilution
ventilation,
or
local
exhaust
systems,
where
necessary,
to
maintain
airborne
dust
concentrations
below
the
OSHA
standard
or
other
applicable
regulations.

Preventive
Measures
/
Specific
Personal
Protective
Equipment
Eyes:
Personal
protective
equipment
is
not
normally
required.

Skin:
Personal
protective
equipment
is
not
normally
required.

Respiratory:
Protection
is
not
normally
required.
Wear
a
dust
mask
or
other
appropriate
respiratory
protection
when
effective
engineering
controls
are
not
feasible
or
during
operations
that
generate
airborne
dust
concentrations
exceeding
the
relevant
standards.
A
respiratory
protection
program
that
meets
OSHA's
29
CFR
1910.134
requirements
must
be
followed
whenever
workplace
conditions
warrant
a
respirator's
use.

Exposure
Guidelines*

Although
standards
for
urea
have
not
been
established,
the
following
nuisance
dust
standards
are
applicable.

ACGIH
TLV:
10
mg/
m3
 
inhalable
particulate;
3
mg/
m3
 
respirable
particulate
OSHA
PEL:
15
mg/
m3
TWA
(
total)
(
7);
5
mg/
m3
TWA
(
respirable)

*

TLV
=
Threshold
Limit
Values;
PEL
=
Permissible
Exposure
Limits;
TWA
=
8­
hour
Time­
weighted
Average
9.
PHYSICAL
AND
CHEMICAL
PROPERTIES
Appearance:
White
granules
Odor:
Odorless
or
slight
ammonia
odor
Odor
threshold
level:
Not
available
Physical
state:
Solid
pH:
7.2
(
10%
water
solution)

Vapor
pressure:
Not
applicable
Vapor
density
(
air
=
1):
Not
applicable
Boiling
point:
Not
applicable
Melting
point:
Decomposes
at
270.8
°
F
(
132.7
°
C)

Solubility
in
water
(
per
100
g
water):
119
g
at
77
°
F
(
25
°
C)
Effective
Date:
May
16,
2003
Page
5
of
8
Specific
gravity
(
H2O
=
1):
Not
applicable
Bulk
Density:
44
to
49
lbs/
cubic
ft
Evaporation
rate
(
butyl
acetate
=
1):
Not
applicable
Viscosity:
1.78
mPas
(
46%
solution)
at
68
°
F
(
20
°
C);
1.81
mPas
(
46%
solution)
at
278.60
°
F
(
137
°
C);
1.90
mPas
(
saturated
solution)
at
68
°
F
(
20
°
C)

Percentage
volatile
by
volume
(%):
Not
applicable
Molecular
weight:
60.06
Molecular
formula:
NH2CONH2
Water/
Oil
Distribution
Coefficient:
­
1.59
10.
STABILITY
AND
REACTIVITY
Stability
(
thermal,
light,
etc.):
Stable
under
normal
conditions
of
storage
and
handling.

Incompatibility
(
materials
to
avoid):
Nitric
acid,
sodium
nitrite,
nitrosyl
perchlorate,
gallium
perchlorate,
hypochlorites,
phosphorus
pentachloride.

Hazardous
Decomposition
Products:
When
heated
above
melting
point,
decomposes
to
ammonia
and
carbon
dioxide.
If
burned,
emits
small
amounts
of
nitrogen
oxides.

Hazardous
Polymerization:
Will
not
occur.

Conditions
to
Avoid:
Decomposes
when
heated
above
melting
point.

11.
TOXICOLOGICAL
INFORMATION
Urea
Oral
LD50:
Ranges
from
11.5
g/
kg
(
female
mouse)
to
15
g/
kg
(
female
rat)
Inhalation
LC50:
No
data
available
Urea
dust
at
22
mg/
m3
caused
mild
irritation
(
species
not
specified).

Sensitization
Capability:
No
data
available
Synergistic
Chemicals:
No
data
available
Subchronic
Toxicity:
In
a
repeated
dose
toxicity
study,
urea
at
10%,
20%,
and
40%
in
ointment
was
applied
to
the
back
skin
of
rats
for
4
weeks.
No
dose­
dependent
toxicity
was
observed.
There
were
no
consistent
treatment­
related
effects
on
standard
haematological
parameters,
clinical
chemistry,
organ
weights
or
organ
histopathology,
including
the
testicles,
prostate,
seminal
vesicles,
ovaries
and
the
uterus.

Chronic
Toxicity:
In
a
chronic
toxicity
and
carcinogenicity
screening
study
conducted
in
mice
over
12
months,
urea
was
administered
at
0,
0.45%,
0.9%,
and
4.5%
in
the
diet.
No
pathology
was
reported
immediately
following
treatment
period.
After
4
months,
testes,
prostate,
and
uterus
were
histologically
examined
for
occurrence
of
tumors
in
the
survivors.
Although
there
was
a
statistically
increased
Effective
Date:
May
16,
2003
Page
6
of
8
incidence
of
interstitial
cell
adenomas
of
the
testis
in
the
high
dose
group,
its
biological
significance
was
deemed
questionable,
since
the
lesion
may
occur
in
100%
of
controls.

Teratogenicity:
In
a
single
oral
dose
study
in
mice,
2,000
mg/
kg
administered
on
day
10
of
pregnancy
was
not
teratogenic.
Urea
in
water
was
given
in
2
doses
12
hours
apart
by
gavage
to
rats
during
pregnancy
for
14
days
and
the
dams
were
allowed
to
deliver.
No
hypertrophy
or
other
kidney
changes
were
detected
nor
were
any
teratogenic
effects
noted.
Urea
caused
developmental
effects
in
chick
embryos
when
injected
into
eggs.

Mutagenicity:
Urea
was
negative
in
tests
of
bacterial
mutagenicity
and
demonstrated
low
clastogenic
potential
in
non­
bacterial
mutagenicity
tests.
Chromosome
breakage
has
been
observed
in
some
laboratory
tests
using
extremely
high
concentrations
of
urea.
At
near
lethal
doses,
urea
was
mutagenic
in
in­
vivo
non­
bacterial
tests
in
mice.

Urea
is
not
recognized
as
a
carcinogen
by
IARC,
NTP,
or
OSHA.

Biuret
Oral
rat
LD50:
>
5
g/
kg
Dermal
rat
LD50:
>
2
g/
kg
Inhalation
LC50:
No
data
available
Mutagenicity:
No
data
available
Teratogenicity:
No
data
available
Sensitization
Capability:
No
data
available
Synergistic
Chemicals:
No
data
available
Biuret
is
not
recognized
as
a
carcinogen
by
IARC,
NTP,
or
OSHA.

Methylenediurea
No
toxicity
data
was
located
in
the
toxicology
or
medical
literature
for
methylenediurea.
Based
on
the
toxicology
testing
of
urea,
which
contains
methylenediurea,
methylenediurea
is
expected
to
have
a
low
order
of
acute
and
chronic
toxicity.
Direct
contact
with
eyes
and
skin
may
cause
irritation,
redness,
itching
and
pain.

Oral
LD50:
No
data
available
Dermal
LD50:
No
data
available
Inhalation
LC50:
No
data
available
Mutagenicity:
No
data
available
Teratogenicity:
No
data
available
Sensitization
Capability:
No
data
available
Synergistic
Chemicals:
No
data
available
Methylenediurea
is
not
recognized
as
a
carcinogen
by
IARC,
NTP,
or
OSHA.

12.
ECOLOGICAL
INFORMATION
Large
amounts
of
urea
can
damage
plant
seedlings
and
inhibit
germination.
As
a
readily
available
source
of
nitrogen,
urea
can
also
foster
excessive
growth
of
algae
or
microorganisms
in
water
systems.

Urea
is
non­
toxic
to
aquatic
organisms
as
defined
by
USEPA.
Effective
Date:
May
16,
2003
Page
7
of
8
Fish
96
hour
LC50:
>
9,100
mg/
L
Daphnia
24
hour
EC50:
>
10,000
mg/
L
Ecotoxicity
Information:
The
cell
multiplication
toxicity
threshold
values
for
bacteria,
green
algae,
and
protozoa
are
>
10,000,
>
10,000,
and
29
mg/
L,
respectively.
The
critical
range
for
the
creek
chub
is
16,000
to
30,000
mg/
L
in
Detroit
river
water.

Environmental
Fate
Information:
Particulate­
phase
urea
is
physically
washed
out
of
the
atmosphere
by
dry
and
wet
deposition.
In
the
soil,
urea
degrades
rapidly,
usually
within
24
hours;
however,
degradation
may
be
slower
depending
on
soil
type,
moisture
content,
and
urea
formulation.
The
ultimate
degradation
products
are
carbon
dioxide
and
ammonia.
The
soil
mobility
is
high
based
on
an
organic
carbon
partition
coefficient
of
8.
In
water,
biodegradation
to
carbon
dioxide
and
ammonia
is
the
major
fate
pathway.
The
biodegradation
rate
increases
with
increasing
temperature
and
presence
of
phytoplankton.
Oxidation
of
urea
by
nitrifying
bacteria
can
increase
biological
oxygen
demand.
Bioaccumulation
of
urea
is
very
low.
The
72­
hour
bioconcentration
factor
(
BCF)
for
carp
is
reported
to
be
1.

13.
DISPOSAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Urea
is
not
considered
a
hazardous
waste
under
Federal
Hazardous
Waste
Regulations
40
CFR
261.
Consult
local,
state
and/
or
provincial
environmental
regulatory
authorities
for
acceptable
disposal
procedures
and
locations.
Follow
standard
disposal
procedures.

14.
TRANSPORT
INFORMATION
Urea
is
not
listed
as
a
hazardous
material
by
the
U.
S.
Department
of
Transportation
(
DOT),
Transport
Canada
(
TC),
International
Maritime
Organization
(
IMO),
and
the
United
Nations
(
UN).

15.
REGULATORY
INFORMATION
OSHA
(
Occupational
Safety
and
Health
Administration):
This
material
is
considered
to
be
hazardous
as
defined
by
the
OSHA
Hazard
Communication
Standard.

CERCLA
(
Comprehensive
Environmental
Response,
Compensation
and
Liability
Act):
This
product
does
not
contain
Reportable
Quantity
substances.

SARA
TITLE
III
(
Superfund
Amendment
and
Reauthorization
Act
of
1986):
No
federal
requirements.
User
should
contact
local
and
state
regulatory
agencies
for
information
on
additional
or
more
stringent
reporting
requirements.

Sections
311/
312:
This
product
has
been
reviewed
according
to
the
USEPA
"
Hazard
Categories"
promulgated
under
Sections
311
and
312
of
SARA
Title
III
and
is
considered,
under
applicable
definitions,
to
meet
the
following
categories:

Acute:
yes
Chronic:
no
Fire:
no
Reactivity:
no
DOT
(
Department
of
Transportation):
Please
refer
to
Section
14
(
Transport
Information)
for
guidance
concerning
transportation.

PROPOSITION
65:
Not
listed
This
material
has
not
been
identified
as
a
carcinogen
by
NTP,
IARC,
or
OSHA.
Effective
Date:
May
16,
2003
Page
8
of
8
16.
DOCUMENTARY
INFORMATION
AND
DISCLAIMER
OF
EXPRESSED
AND
IMPLIED
WARRANTIES
MSDS
Prepared
By:
Environmental
Health
Decisions
(
949­
481­
8600)
Preparation
Date:
May
2003
Issue
Date:
05/
16/
03
Previous
Issue
Date:
04/
17/
03
The
information
in
this
MSDS
is
based
on
data
available
to
us
as
of
the
revision
date
given
herein,
and
believed
to
be
correct.
Judgments
as
to
the
suitability
of
information
herein
for
the
individual
user's
own
use
or
purposes
are
the
responsibility
of
the
individual
user.
Although
reasonable
care
has
been
taken
in
the
preparation
of
such
information,
CF
Industries
extends
no
warranties,
makes
no
representations
(
other
than
those
warranties
and
representations
required
by
law),
and
assumes
no
responsibility
as
to
the
accuracy
or
suitability
of
such
information
for
application
to
the
individual
user's
purpose
or
the
consequences
of
its
use
for
such
purpose.