Product Name: Cream of Tartar
Chemical Name: Potassium Hydrogen Tartrate
Synonyms: Potassium bitartrate, Potassium acid tartrate
CAS Number: 868-14-4
Recommended Use: Food additive, leavening agent, cleaning agent
Manufacturer/Supplier: Information listed on container packaging
Contact Information: Emergency telephone or supplier should be reached for spills, accidents, or exposure concerns
Classification: Not classified as hazardous by OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Signal Word: No signal word required
Hazard Statements: May cause mild eye irritation, mild skin irritation upon prolonged contact
Precautionary Statements: Prevent dust dispersion, avoid inhalation, avoid contact with eyes, use protective gloves and eyewear
Pictograms: None required
Potential Health Effects: Main risk centers on accidental ingestion or inhaling large quantities, leading to upset stomach or minor respiratory irritation
Chemical: Potassium Hydrogen Tartrate
Other Names: Cream of Tartar
Content: Typically over 99% purity
Additives: Trace impurities not considered hazardous
Molecular Formula: KC4H5O6
Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately if dust is inhaled; seek medical attention for persistent irritation
Skin Contact: Wash skin with plenty of soap and water
Eye Contact: Flush with clean running water for at least 15 minutes, lift upper and lower eyelids occasionally; obtain medical care if irritation persists
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water, seek medical attention if feeling unwell arises
Symptoms Exacerbation: Inhalation and ingestion are most likely to produce discomfort in sensitive individuals or large exposures
Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide or foam designed for chemical fires
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon oxides, potassium oxides
Specific Hazards: Product does not burn easily, but heated containers may release irritating or toxic vapors
Protective Equipment: Firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing
Firefighting Procedures: Remove containers from area if possible; use water to cool heated or fire-exposed packaging
Personal Precautions: Avoid breathing dust, use protective gloves and eye protection
Environmental Precautions: Prevent large spills from entering waterways; sweep up spilled powder without generating dust
Clean-Up Methods: Use non-sparking tools, scoop up material and place in an appropriate container for disposal
After Spillage: Wash spill area with water to remove residue
Disposal: Contact local waste disposal authority for collection procedures if disposal at scale is necessary
Handling: Minimize dust generation and accumulation, use in well-ventilated areas, wear gloves and protective eyewear when transferring product
Safe Practices: Keep away from incompatible materials such as alkalis and strong bases
Storage: Store in tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location, protect from light and moisture
Incompatibility: Avoid mixing or storing with oxidizers or strong acids
Separation: Keep apart from food for direct consumption if using bulk quantities for non-food purposes
Exposure Limits: No occupational exposure limits established specifically for potassium hydrogen tartrate
Ventilation: Use local exhaust or general ventilation to minimize airborne dust
Protective Equipment: Wear safety glasses, gloves and dust mask in dusty environments or during large-scale handling
Personal Hygiene: Wash hands and face after handling; remove contaminated clothing
Workplace Controls: Maintain eye wash stations near handling areas in settings where large volumes are transferred
Appearance: White, odorless, crystalline powder
Molecular Weight: 188.18 g/mol
Solubility in Water: Slightly soluble
Melting Point: About 170°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Not applicable; decomposes before boiling
Density: 1.954 g/cm³
pH: Usually 3.5–5 in aqueous solution
Odor: Odorless
Volatility: Non-volatile
Flammability: Not flammable under normal conditions
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal use and storage conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, extreme heat, incompatible materials
Materials to Avoid: Strong bases, oxidizing agents, strong acids
Hazardous Reactions: May react with strong alkalis to release potassium ions and other salts
Decomposition Products: Emits carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and potassium compounds with strong heating or burning
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity if ingested; large amounts could cause headache, nausea, gastrointestinal irritation due to potassium overload
Chronic Effects: Not known to cause chronic health problems with normal use; prolonged exposure to dust may affect respiratory health
Carcinogenicity: Not considered carcinogenic; not listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Target Organs: May affect kidneys if consumed in large quantities over time
Symptoms: Headache, mild stomach discomfort with excess ingestion, minor nasal or throat irritation from dust
Ecotoxicity: No major adverse effects on aquatic organisms expected in standard use; spills in large amounts can disturb pH in water systems
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in the environment
Bioaccumulation Potential: Not expected to bioaccumulate
Mobility in Soil: Dissolves slowly, migrates readily through soil when dissolved
Other Effects: Harmless for plants and animals in the environment at normal concentrations; excessive discharge may upset soil acid-base balance
Waste Disposal Methods: Small quantities used in households or food production can be disposed of in trash; large amounts disposed according to local, regional, or national regulations
Container Disposal: Triple rinse and recycle or puncture after complete removal of product
Special Considerations: Avoid release in large quantities to sewer systems or natural waterways
Waste Codes: Not hazardous waste; not subject to specific disposal regulations beyond ordinary chemical compound guidelines
UN Number: Not regulated as a hazardous material
Transport Hazards Class: None
Packing Group: None
Labels Required: None
Shipping Name: Cream of Tartar
Special Precautions: Package securely to prevent spills, keep containers dry and away from rough handling
U.S. Regulations: Not listed as a hazardous substance under SARA Title III, CERCLA, or RCRA
TSCA status: Potassium hydrogen tartrate appears on the EPA TSCA Inventory
Occupational Safety and Health: Not regulated under specific workplace safety standards
International Standards: Included as a food additive (E336) in Codex Alimentarius, EU Food Additives List
Other National Inventories: Listed in Australia AICS; New Zealand NZIoC; Canada DSL/NDSL
Labeling: No hazard labels required for retail or industrial sale
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