Product Name: Polyquaternium-4
Chemical Family: Polymeric quaternary ammonium compound
Synonyms: Poly[oxyethylene(dimethylimino)ethylene(dimethylimino)ethylene dichloride]
Recommended Use: Hair conditioning agent, film former in personal care products
Manufacturer Details: Contact information available on the product label or Safety Data documentation, including emergency contact numbers for chemical incidents.
CAS Number: 71329-50-5
Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS criteria
Potential Hazards: Skin or eye irritation in sensitive individuals; ingestion may cause minor discomfort; inhalation of dust or aerosol can cause mild respiratory irritation.
Pictogram: None required by GHS
Signal Word: None
Hazard Statements: May cause mild irritation upon prolonged contact with eyes or skin.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid eye and skin contact; use with adequate ventilation; do not inhale aerosols or dust.
Health Effects: Short-term: red or itchy eyes, slight skin irritation. Long-term effects unlikely with proper use and handling.
Environment: Not expected to present significant environmental risk at normal industry concentrations.
Chemical Name: Polyquaternium-4
CAS Number: 71329-50-5
Percent Composition: 100% (aqueous or as supplied); in personal care products, typically 0.2%–3%
Impurities: Trace monomers or reaction by-products below hazardous thresholds; detailed listing available from supplier.
Eye Contact: Flush immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical attention if irritation continues.
Skin Contact: Wash area with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing; seek medical attention for persistent irritation.
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air; seek medical attention if symptoms arise.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; drink water to dilute; do not induce vomiting. Seek medical advice, especially for large quantities.
Medical Attention: Symptoms should be treated on a case-by-case basis depending on extent and route of exposure.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Water jets for large fires may spread product.
Combustion Products: Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen compounds, traces of hydrogen chloride may form.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear standard protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus.
Special Procedures: Cool containers exposed to fire with water spray.
Explosion Risk: Not known to be reactive or explosive under normal conditions.
Personal Precautions: Wear appropriate protective gloves, goggles, and clothing.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers or waterways; alert authorities if large-scale release occurs.
Spill Cleanup: Absorb liquid with inert material such as sand or earth; sweep up solid product; place in appropriate containers for disposal.
Waste Disposal: Refer to local regulations for chemical waste; avoid unintentional exposure during cleanup.
Handling: Use with biosafety precautions to avoid skin or eye contact. Maintain good industrial hygiene, including handwashing after use.
Storage: Keep container tightly closed; store in dry, ventilated area away from heat, sparks, or direct sunlight; avoid freezing.
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong acids.
Special Sensitivities: Maintain storage temperature within recommended range indicated by supplier; prevent moisture ingress into container to avoid caking or solution breakdown.
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation for powders or aerosols.
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles or face shield for splash risk, chemical-resistant gloves, long-sleeve garments; NIOSH-approved dust mask or respirator when airborne dust or aerosol generation is possible.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established limits; follow appropriate workplace control measures.
Hygiene: Do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling; change contaminated clothing; wash hands before breaks and after work.
Appearance: Clear to slightly hazy, colorless to pale yellow liquid or off-white powder/granules
Odor: Mild, characteristic
pH: Typically 4.0–7.0 (1% solution in water); varies by supplier
Boiling Point: >100°C (aqueous solutions)
Melting Point: Not applicable to liquids; powder melts above 100°C
Flash Point: Not flammable under normal conditions
Solubility: Soluble or dispersible in water
Vapor Pressure: Low
Density: Approximately 1.0 g/cm³ (solution)
Partition Coefficient: Not determined
Viscosity: Depends on concentration and type
Decomposition Temperature: >150°C
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions.
Hazardous Reactions: None expected during normal use; strong oxidizers may cause degradation.
Conditions to Avoid: High heat, freezing, exposure to strong acids or alkalis.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, alkalies, and oxidizers.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride gas if burnt.
Likely Routes of Exposure: Skin and eye contact, inhalation of dust or mist, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Expected to be low based on available data; estimated LD50 (oral, rat) >5,000 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Not classified; may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals
Eye Damage/Irritation: May cause stinging or redness
Respiratory Sensitization: No data suggesting sensitization risk
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Other Effects: Prolonged or repeated contact can cause dryness or redness of skin
Aquatic Toxicity: Low toxicity to fish and invertebrates at normal industry dilutions
Degradability: Not readily biodegradable; can persist in the environment with slow breakdown
Bioaccumulation: Not expected to bioaccumulate due to high molecular weight and water solubility
Mobility: Product shows mobility in aqueous environments, dilutes out readily
Other Harmful Effects: Large releases into water systems can damage aquatic flora by physical effects rather than chemical toxicity
Disposal Methods: Dispose of product, contaminated packaging, and absorbent materials in accordance with local, regional, national, and international regulations.
Waste Treatment: Incinerate or landfill at approved facility.
Packaging: Triple rinse containers before recycling or disposal.
Precautions: Do not discharge into natural waters or public stormwater systems.
UN Number: Not regulated for transport
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous
Packing Group: Not applicable
Labeling: No special labeling required
Special Precautions: Prevent spillage and leakage during transport.
TSCA (US): Listed
DSL (Canada): Listed
REACH (EU): Pre-registered or registered for use in cosmetics
SARA Title III: Not subject to reporting under Sections 302, 304, or 313
California Proposition 65: Not known to contain substances requiring warning
Labeling: No specific hazard phrases required under GHS or EU CLP for typical formulations
