Caffeine is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system. It was originally isolated from coffee in 1820 and its name is derived from the German and French words "kaffee" and "café," which both mean coffee. In addition to coffee, caffeine is found in many products including chocolate, soda, and tea. The effects of caffeine can last 3 to 6 hours, although it is not stored in the body. Most products contain under 300 mg of caffeine per serving, but too much caffeine can be harmful. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are a useful resource for learning about the properties, hazards, and necessary precautions for a specific chemical compound.
Properties
Caffeine is a pure, odorless, white powder. The chemical name for caffeine is 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine. The chemical formula is C8H10N4O2; caffeine has a molecular weight of 194.19 g/mol. One gram of caffeine is soluble in 46 mL of water. A 1 percent aqueous solution of caffeine has a pH of 6.9. The specific gravity of caffeine is 1.23. The boiling point is 352 degrees F and the melting point is 460 degrees F. Caffeine is not volatile, meaning it will not evaporate, at 70 degrees F. Caffeine is stable under ordinary usage and storage conditions.
Associated Hazards
The MSDS for caffeine gives it a moderate poison rating of 2, slight flammability and reactivity ratings of 1, and a moderate contact rating of 2. When supplied in its pure powder form, caffeine is harmful if ingested. Large doses may cause palpitations, insomnia, dizziness, headaches, and vomiting. The lethal does is around 10 g for an adult and the LD50 for a rat, when tested as a tumorigen, mutagen, and reproductive effector, is 192 mg/kg. Inhalation causes similar symptoms as well as irritates the respiratory tract. Caffeine irritates the skin and eyes, causing redness, itching, and pain. Chronic exposure to caffeine will prolong the above conditions and can also cause digestive disorders, shortness of breath, constipation and depression. Animal studies conclude that caffeine may cause birth defects.
Hazard Precautions and Prevention
Protective equipment should always be used when handling pure caffeine. This include goggles, a lab coat, gloves and a vent hood. If inhaled, move the exposed person away from the caffeine to an environment with fresh air. If breathing ceases, provide artificial respiration or oxygen to exposed person. If ingested, induce vomiting immediately. In cases of skin or eye contact, flush with water for a minimum of 15 minutes. Make sure to lift the upper and lower eyelids when flushing eyes. Remove any contaminated clothing and shoes, and wash before reuse. Seek medical attention to ensure proper precautions are followed. Burning caffeine may produce carbon monoxide and dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. Therefore, sources of ignition, heat, and flame must be avoided. Additionally, caffeine is incompatible with tannins, caustic alkalis, strong oxidizers, and iodine silver salts. Interactions with these compounds should be highly avoided. In the event of a fire, use a water spray, dry chemical, alcohol foam, or carbon dioxide to extinguish the fire. Wear full protective clothing and use a NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)-approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full face piece. Operate in a positive pressure mode. In the case of accidental release, such as a leak or spill, make sure the area containing the accident is ventilated. Remove all ignition sources and use non-sparking equipment to clean the spill. Clean the spill in a manner that contains the caffeine and does not disperse it into the air. Moisten the area with water to prevent airborne dust and scattering. Place spill in a closed container for proper disposal. Always wear personal protective equipment when handling spills.
Storage, Disposal, and Transport
Caffeine must be stored in a ventilated, cool, dry area and kept in a tightly closed container at all times. It must be kept safe from physical damage. Empty caffeine containers may still be hazardous as they may contain dust and solid residues. Take necessary protective precautions when handling empty containers for disposal. Waste containers containing caffeine must be disposed of according to federal, state, and local guidelines. When transporting caffeine domestically or internationally, it must be labeled "Toxic Solid, Organic, N.O.S. (Caffeine)." When released into soil or water, caffeine may moderately biodegrade. It is not expected to bioaccumulate to significant levels.
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