Mineral oil Chemical Properties

Density 

0.85 g/mL at 20 °C

vapor pressure 

0.0001 hPa (20 °C)

refractive index 

n20/D 1.467(lit.)

Flash point:

185 °C

storage temp. 

−20°C

form 

light oil

color 

white

Odor

Very faint.

Water Solubility 

insoluble

λmax

λ: 260 nm Amax: 0.7
λ: 280 nm Amax: 1.0

EPA Substance Registry System

White mineral oil (petroleum) (8042-47-5)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes 

Xi

Risk Statements 

36/37/38-41

Safety Statements 

23-26-36-24/25

RIDADR 

1263

WGK Germany 

3

RTECS 

PY8047000

Autoignition Temperature

>300 °C

TSCA 

Yes

HS Code 

2710 19 85

HazardClass 

3.2

PackingGroup 

III

Toxicity

LD50 orally in Rabbit: > 5000 mg/kg LD50 dermal Rabbit > 2000 mg/kg

MSDS

• Language:EnglishProvider:White mineral oil
• Language:EnglishProvider:ACROS

Mineral oil Usage And Synthesis

Chemical Properties

Heavy white oil

Chemical Properties

Mineral oil mist is a colorless, oily liquid aerosol dispersed in air with an odor like burned lubricating oil. The odor threshold is 1.0 ppm.

Uses

For routine PCR amplifications. Minimizes evaporation of reactions run in PCR instruments without heated lids.

Uses

mineral oil is an emollient cleanser and demulsifier of dirt trapped in pores. Mineral oil is excellent for use in cleansers. In leave-on cosmetics, its comedogenicity or lack thereof appears related to the level of raw material refinement; therefore, some suppliers state that their product is non-comedogenic. When used in leave-on preparations, mineral oil’s occlusive capability is considered to help improve the epidermal barrier function. This is a clear, odorless oil derived from petroleum and is not known to cause allergic reactions.

Indications

Fecal softeners are substances that are not absorbed from the alimentary canal and act by increasing the bulk of the feces and softening the stool so that it is easier to pass. Mineral oil has been in use for many years, either as the oil or as a white emulsion; it is a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons. Its use has been criticized for many reasons. It dissolves the fat-soluble vitamins and prevents their absorption.

brand name

Balneol (Solvay Pharmaceuticals); Neo-Cultol (Fisons); Nujol (Schering-Plough HealthCare).

Health Hazard

Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Goggles or face shield; Symptoms Following Exposure: Ingestion of liquid can cause very loose bowel movements; General Treatment for Exposure: EYES: wash with water; Toxicity by Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value): Not pertinent; Short-Term Inhalation Limits: Not pertinent; Toxicity by Ingestion: Grade 1, LD50 = 5 to 15 g/kg; Late Toxicity: None; Vapor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics: None; Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics: None; Odor Threshold: Not pertinent.

Chemical Reactivity

Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reaction; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.

Side effects

It is itself absorbed slightly and appears in the mesenteric lymph nodes, and if it is inhaled into the lungs (which it may be in elderly or debilitated patients), it may produce inflammatory responses such as lipoid pneumonia. Its continual use, therefore, is contraindicated, although its occasional administration in otherwise well patients is not harmful. It is employed primarily in patients who must avoid straining at stool, including persons with hemorrhoids and other painful anal lesions. Leakage of mineral oil past the anal sphincter may lead to soiling of clothing. Docusate dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (Colace),

Safety Profile

Highly purified food grades are of low toxicity. Questionable carcinogen. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Potential Exposure

Mineral oil is used in cosmetics, pharmaceutical bases; food, and fiber production; as carriers and bases; as a lubricating oil and as a solvent for inks in the printing industry. Oil mist would be encountered in quenching of hot metal parts and in metal machining operations.

Veterinary Drugs and Treatments

Mineral oil is commonly used in horses to treat constipation and fecal impactions. It is also employed as a laxative in other species as well, but used less frequently. Mineral oil has been administered after ingesting lipid-soluble toxins (e.g., kerosene, metaldehyde) to retard the absorption of these toxins through its laxative and solubility properties.
Petrolatum containing products (e.g., Felaxin?, Laxatone?, Kat- A-Lax?, etc.) may be used in dogs and cats as a laxative or to prevent/ reduce “hair-balls” in cats.

Incompatibilities

Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong acids (especially nitric acid), strong bases.

Waste Disposal

Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed.

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