DMSO Safety Data Sheet (SDS): Handling, PPE & Storage Best Practices
A practical, OSHA / GHS-aligned guide to DMSO safety - for warehouse managers, lab leads, and procurement teams alike.
The dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, CAS 67-68-5) safety data sheet is among the most frequently requested documents in industrial chemistry. Compared to its peers in the polar aprotic family - DMF, DMAc, NMP, all classified as reproductive toxicants in the EU - DMSO has a notably friendlier toxicology profile. But "friendlier" is not "harmless." DMSO is a combustible liquid, an eye and skin irritant, and most importantly, a highly effective dermal carrier that pulls anything it has dissolved straight through human skin. That single property reshapes how DMSO must be handled in warehouses, plants, and labs.
This article walks through the 16-section GHS / OSHA SDS template using DMSO as the worked example. It covers GHS classification, hazard pictograms, first aid, firefighting, spill response, storage, container compatibility, exposure controls, PPE, transport, and a checklist for verifying any supplier's SDS. To request the Sinolook DMSO SDS for your batch, see the contact block at the end or visit our DMSO product page.
01. The 16-Section SDS Format 📋
Every modern SDS - for DMSO or any other chemical - follows the same 16-section structure mandated by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200, Appendix D) and the UN Globally Harmonized System (GHS Rev. 10). Sections 1–11 and 16 are mandatory; sections 12–15 are non-mandatory in the US but are filled in by reputable suppliers anyway, because most international markets require them.
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| 1. Identification | Product name, supplier address, emergency phone, recommended use |
| 2. Hazard Identification | GHS class, pictograms, signal word, H-statements, P-statements |
| 3. Composition / Ingredients | CAS, EC, % composition, impurity disclosure |
| 4. First-Aid Measures | Eye, skin, inhalation, ingestion exposure response |
| 5. Fire-Fighting Measures | Extinguishing media, hazardous combustion products |
| 6. Accidental Release | Spill / leak procedures, environmental precautions |
| 7. Handling & Storage | Safe handling practices, storage temperature, segregation |
| 8. Exposure Controls / PPE | OEL / TLV / PEL, ventilation, gloves, eye, respiratory protection |
| 9. Physical & Chemical Properties | Appearance, BP, MP, FP, density, vapor pressure, solubility |
| 10. Stability & Reactivity | Conditions to avoid, incompatible materials, decomposition products |
| 11. Toxicological Information | LD50, routes of exposure, target organs, chronic effects |
| 12. Ecological Information | Aquatic toxicity, biodegradation, bioaccumulation |
| 13. Disposal Considerations | Waste codes, recommended disposal methods |
| 14. Transport Information | UN number (or non-DG), IATA / IMDG / DOT class, packing group |
| 15. Regulatory Information | REACH, TSCA, DSL, regional inventory status |
| 16. Other Information | Revision date, full text of H/P statements, abbreviations key |
02. GHS Classification & Pictograms ⚠️
DMSO's GHS classification is moderate. The most commonly assigned categories on commercial SDSs are:
| GHS Class | H-Statement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquid Category 4 | H227 - Combustible liquid | Flash point 87–95 °C; not a regulated DG by transport class |
| Skin irritation Category 2 | H315 - Causes skin irritation | On many SDSs; some classify as "not classified" |
| Eye irritation Category 2 | H319 - Causes serious eye irritation | On many SDSs |
| STOT SE Category 3 | H335 - May cause respiratory irritation | From inhalation of vapors at elevated temperature |
Pictograms: The most common DMSO label carries a single GHS07 "Exclamation Mark" pictogram - denoting moderate health hazards. Some SDSs (where flammable Cat 4 is the only classification) carry no pictogram at all because Cat 4 combustible liquids do not require one. Signal word: "Warning" (not "Danger").
Notable absences: DMSO is not classified as a carcinogen, mutagen, or reproductive toxicant by IARC, NTP, or under EU CLP. This is a major contrast with DMF and NMP, which carry "Repr. 1B" classification in the EU.
03. The Skin-Permeation Hazard 🩹
DMSO's most distinctive operational hazard is not toxicity in the conventional sense. It is the molecule's ability to penetrate intact human skin within minutes - and to carry whatever is dissolved in it through with it. This is the same property that makes DMSO useful in pharmaceutical formulations as a penetration enhancer, but on the production floor it changes the rules of glove and PPE selection.
Three operational consequences:
- "Garlic taste" effect. Skin contact with DMSO produces a perceptible garlic or oyster taste in the mouth within 15–60 minutes, due to metabolic conversion of absorbed DMSO into trace dimethyl sulfide (DMS) eliminated through breath and saliva. The taste is harmless but signals dermal absorption has occurred.
- Carrier risk. If DMSO is contaminated with another substance - heavy metals, organic solvents, plant or process residues - those contaminants are absorbed through skin alongside the DMSO. Working with technical-grade DMSO containing impurities is fundamentally riskier than working with pure DMSO of the same volume.
- Glove material matters. Standard latex and nitrile gloves do not give effective long-term protection against DMSO contact. Butyl rubber gloves are the recognized standard. See Section 07 below.
04. First Aid Measures 🚑
| Exposure Route | Immediate Action |
|---|---|
| Eye contact | Flush with running water for at least 15 minutes, holding eyelids apart. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Seek medical attention. |
| Skin contact | Remove contaminated clothing immediately. Wash affected skin thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical advice if the DMSO contained any toxic dissolved substance, since dermal absorption may have occurred. |
| Inhalation | Move person to fresh air. If breathing is irregular or stopped, give artificial respiration. Keep warm and at rest. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist. |
| Ingestion | Rinse mouth thoroughly with water. Do not induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Seek medical attention. |
In all cases of skin or eye contact with DMSO that contained any other dissolved chemical, treat as if that chemical itself reached the bloodstream and inform medical staff accordingly.
05. Fire-Fighting Measures 🔥
Flash point: 87–95 °C (closed cup, varies by source). Auto-ignition temperature: ~270–300 °C. Flammable limits in air: approximately 2.6–28.5 % by volume. Although DMSO is classified as combustible (not flammable), it does ignite and burn at temperatures above its flash point.
- Suitable extinguishing media: dry chemical, alcohol-resistant foam, dry sand, CO2.
- Unsuitable: direct water jet (may scatter burning liquid). Water spray as cooling for adjacent containers is fine.
- Hazardous combustion products: sulfur oxides (SO2, SO3), carbon oxides (CO, CO2), formaldehyde, methyl mercaptan. Strongly malodorous and toxic - full SCBA required for firefighters.
- Special note: on intense heating DMSO can decompose violently above 150 °C, generating gas faster than container vents can release it. This is why fire suppression must focus on cooling exposed drums, not just extinguishing flames.
06. Spill & Leak Response 🧯
- Personnel. Evacuate non-essential workers. Eliminate ignition sources. Don full PPE including butyl-rubber gloves, chemical splash goggles, and chemical-resistant apron / coverall.
- Containment. Bund or dam the spill to prevent reaching drains, watercourses, or sewers. DMSO is fully water-miscible, so dilution does not help; recovery is the only option.
- Absorption. Use inert liquid-absorbent (vermiculite, sand, diatomaceous earth, or proprietary spill pillow). Avoid sawdust or organic absorbents - DMSO penetrates them and carries any extractable chemicals into the absorbent matrix.
- Recovery. Sweep absorbed material into clearly labeled, sealed waste containers. Do not flush to drain. Dispose as halogenated organic waste (US) or per regional waste-code requirements.
- Decontamination. Wash spill area with copious soap and water, then dry. DMSO's hygroscopicity means residual material attracts moisture and can recontaminate surfaces over time.
07. PPE Selection 🧤
| PPE Item | Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gloves | Butyl rubber, ≥0.4 mm | Latex and nitrile have short DMSO breakthrough times (often <30 min). Butyl is the standard. Always verify the manufacturer's permeation chart. |
| Eye protection | Chemical splash goggles | Required for any pouring, decanting, or open-vessel operation. Side shields on safety glasses are not sufficient. |
| Body protection | Chemical-resistant apron / lab coat | Full coverall for bulk transfers. Quickly remove any clothing wetted by DMSO. |
| Respiratory | Local exhaust ventilation | DMSO has very low vapor pressure at room temperature (~0.6 hPa). Respirator only required for elevated-temperature handling, large open spills, or fire response (full SCBA). |
| Footwear | Closed chemical-resistant shoes | Standard industrial footwear. Rubber boots for drum / IBC handling areas. |
Exposure limits. DMSO has no OSHA PEL or ACGIH TLV at the time of writing. Some regional limits exist (Sweden: TWA 50 ppm; Germany TRGS 900 has no DMSO entry). In the absence of a regulatory limit, follow your supplier's recommended OEL - typically 100 ppm TWA - and maintain ventilation.
08. Storage & Container Compatibility 📦
DMSO is hygroscopic, freezes at 18.5 °C, and undergoes slow oxidation on long storage. Three storage rules cover the bulk of practical concerns:
- Temperature. Store at 20–25 °C in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Below 18.5 °C the DMSO will solidify into a wax-like solid - not damaging, but inconvenient. Avoid temperatures > 40 °C; long-term storage above 40 °C accelerates yellowing.
- Container materials. HDPE, glass, type 304/316 stainless steel, and PTFE-lined steel are all compatible. Avoid prolonged contact with mild steel (slow corrosion / iron pickup → yellowing) and most rubbers (some plasticizer leaching). Pure aluminum is acceptable for short-term contact.
- Inert blanketing. For anhydrous DMSO and pharma-grade material, a nitrogen blanket prevents moisture and oxygen ingress. Standard technical-grade DMSO can be stored under air for short periods but should be kept tightly sealed.
⛔ Materials to keep DMSO away from
- Strong oxidizers (HNO3, perchlorates, periodates, KMnO4): violent reaction risk
- Acyl halides & sulfonyl halides: spontaneous exotherm, explosion risk in concentrated systems
- Strong acids and Lewis acids: catalyzed thermal decomposition
- Sodium hydride, alkali metals, alkyllithiums: vigorous reaction (these are deliberately used to make dimsyl anion in controlled lab conditions, but should be kept away during bulk storage)
- Metal nitrates, perchlorates, fluorinating agents: documented thermal-runaway incidents
Read more about DMSO's reactivity chemistry in our DMSO structure & chemistry article.
09. Transport Classification 🚚
DMSO is not regulated as Dangerous Goods by most transport agencies. Specifically:
- UN number: none assigned (not a UN-listed dangerous good)
- IATA / ICAO (air): not regulated
- IMDG (sea): not regulated
- US DOT (road / rail): not regulated
- ADR (EU road): not regulated
The flash point of 87–95 °C exceeds the 60 °C threshold that triggers UN Class 3 flammable-liquid regulation, and the toxicology profile keeps DMSO below the Class 6.1 toxic-substances threshold. So DMSO ships in standard 250 kg drums, 1100 kg IBCs, and ISO tanks under non-DG documentation, which simplifies international procurement.
For HS code, customs documentation, and import-side checks, see our companion article on DMSO HS code, ICH limits & import / export guide.
10. Supplier SDS Checklist ✅
When evaluating any DMSO supplier (Sinolook included), apply this checklist to the SDS they provide:
- ✅ Revision date within last 36 months. Outdated SDSs miss recent regulatory changes.
- ✅ All 16 GHS sections present and complete. Sections "12–15" filled in even though optional in US.
- ✅ CAS 67-68-5 + EC 200-664-3 explicitly listed in Section 3.
- ✅ Impurity profile disclosed - at least DMS, DMSO2, and water content if present above 0.1 %.
- ✅ First-aid measures specific to skin permeation - generic "wash with soap" wording without skin-permeation note suggests the SDS author hasn't fully understood DMSO.
- ✅ Glove material explicitly named (butyl rubber) in Section 8.
- ✅ Section 14 confirms non-DG status.
- ✅ Section 15 lists relevant regional inventories - TSCA, REACH, DSL, AICS, IECSC, ENCS, KECI as applicable to your import country.
- ✅ Emergency phone number works in your time zone (CHEMTREC / regional equivalent).
For pharmaceutical-, cosmetic-, or electronic-grade DMSO, also request the matching Certificate of Analysis (COA) for your specific batch. The SDS describes the substance generically; the COA describes your shipment. Both should accompany every drum, IBC, or ISO tank delivered.
Frequently Asked Questions
DMSO is classified as a combustible liquid under GHS Category 4 (flash point 87–95 °C). It is not "flammable" in the casual sense - at room temperature it does not catch fire from a stray spark - but it will ignite and burn at temperatures above its flash point. Treat it as combustible: keep away from open flames and hot surfaces, store in a cool place.
Butyl rubber gloves, ≥0.4 mm thickness, are the standard. Latex and nitrile gloves do not give adequate long-term protection - DMSO permeates both materials within 30 minutes. Always check your glove manufacturer's published permeation chart for the specific glove model and thickness.
Store in original sealed container at 20–25 °C in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from heat, ignition sources, and incompatible materials (strong oxidizers, acyl halides, alkali metals). HDPE, glass, and stainless steel are compatible container materials. For anhydrous and pharma grades, store under nitrogen blanket. Frozen DMSO (below 18.5 °C) re-liquefies cleanly on gentle warming.
No. DMSO is not classified as Dangerous Goods by IATA, IMDG, US DOT, or ADR. It ships under regular cargo documentation, which simplifies international procurement and lowers freight costs compared to DG-classified solvents.
The terms refer to the same document. MSDS ("Material Safety Data Sheet") is the older format used in the US before 2012 and still used informally in some regions. SDS ("Safety Data Sheet") is the modern globally-harmonized format mandated by the GHS and required by OSHA since 2015. All current DMSO documents should be labelled "SDS" and follow the 16-section structure described above.
📚 Authoritative References
- OSHA - 29 CFR 1910.1200 Hazard Communication Standard
- UN - Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Rev. 10
- ECHA - DMSO Substance Info Card (CAS 67-68-5)
- PubChem - DMSO Toxicology & Hazards (CID 679)
- CCOHS - GHS Pictograms & Classification Reference
🔗 Continue Reading - DMSO Knowledge Hub
Request the Sinolook DMSO SDS & Batch COA
Sinolook Chemical Co., Ltd. supplies dimethyl sulfoxide (CAS 67-68-5) with full GHS-compliant SDS and batch-specific COA. Technical, anhydrous, USP / pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and lab grades - packed in 250 kg drums, 1100 kg IBCs, and ISO tanks for 50+ countries.
