15 October 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Methane Methane is a colourless, odourless, and extremely flammable gas that can be explosive when mixed with air. It is also called methyl hydride. Methane can be a liquid that needs to be refrigerated. Methane is emitted…READ MORE

ECHA publishes new Titanium Dioxide classification guide

Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/2017, the 14th adaptation to technical progress (ATP) of the CLP, introduced a new harmonised classification for certain forms of TiO2 as a category 2 carcinogen by inhalation. The ATP was published in the Official Journal of…READ MORE

8 October 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Acrylic Acid Acrylic acid (IUPAC: prop-2-enoic acid) is an organic compound with the formula CH2=CHCO2H. It is the simplest unsaturated carboxylic acid, consisting of a vinyl group connected directly to a carboxylic acid terminus. This colourless liquid…READ MORE

Chemwatch and Cyberia Group Partnership

Chemwatch has expanded their operations to South Africa, through Cyberia Group.  Cyberia Group is the official provider of Chemwatch products and the agent for the South African region. In addition to their full range, Chemwatch will also be providing South…READ MORE

1 October 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Titanium Dioxide Titanium dioxide (TiO2) (CAS Number 13463-67-7) is a non-combustible, white, crystalline, solid, odourless powder. It is insoluble in water, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and alcohol, and it is soluble in hot concentrated sulphuric acid, hydrogen…READ MORE

Revision 9 of the GHS is now available

Some amendments that have been made to GHS Revision 8 include: The revision of decision logicsThe updating of references to OECD test guidelines for the testing of chemicals in annexes 9 and 10The revision of chapter 2.1 (explosives) to better…READ MORE

25 September 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Fluorine Fluorine is a chemical element with symbol F and atomic number 9. [1] It is a univalent poisonous gaseous halogen, it is pale yellow-green and it is the most chemically reactive and electronegative of all the…READ MORE

17 September 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Benzene Benzene is an organic chemical compound that is composed of 6 carbon atoms in a ring, with 1 hydrogen atom attached to each carbon atom and has the molecular formula C6H6. Benzene is an organic chemical…READ MORE

10 September 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HCCPD) Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HCCPD), also known as C-56, is an organochlorine compound that is a precursor to several pesticides. This colourless liquid is an inexpensive reactive diene. Many of its derivatives proved to be highly controversial, as…READ MORE

Combating metal corrosion with self-healing epoxy coatings

The corrosion of metals is a destructive process that leads to huge economic losses. According to the World Corrosion Organisation, the costs of corrosion are estimated to exceed $1.8 trillion worldwide. Dr Karan Thanawala, a research scholar at the IITB-Monash…READ MORE

3 September 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week 2-Hexanone 2-Hexanone is the organic compound with the formula C4H9COCH3. This colourless to pale yellow liquid has a sharp odour. It is a ketone and often known either as MBK (methyl butyl ketone) or 2-hexanone. It has…READ MORE

27 August 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Selenium Selenium is a chemical element with symbol Se and atomic number 34. [1] It is an odourless metalloid (an element which has both metallic and non-metallic properties). It can be a grey (the 'metallic' and most…READ MORE

Full Time Contract Administrator

A  full time Contract Administrator  is required to manage all duties associated with incoming and outgoing contracts and agreements associated with the administration of Chemwatch business. Duties: Prepare, interpret, review, negotiate and maintain new contracts and variations on behalf of…READ MORE

20 August 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Tetrachloroethylene Tetrachloroethylene (CAS No. 127-18-4) is also known as perchloroethylene, tetrachloroethene, and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethene and is often abbreviated to PER or PERC. Its molecular formula is C2Cl4, and its relative molar mass is 165.8. Tetrachloroethylene (CAS No. 127-18-4)…READ MORE

13 August 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Vanadium Vanadium is a chemical element with symbol V and atomic number 23. [1] It occurs in nature as a white-to-grey metal compounds, and is often found as crystals. Pure vanadium has no smell. It usually combines…READ MORE

6 August 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Cyclohexane Cyclohexane is a cycloalkane with the molecular formula C6H12. [1] It is a colourless flammable liquid with a mild, sweet odour resembling that of chloroform or benzene that occurs naturally in crude oil, volcanic gases, and…READ MORE

30 July 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Isophorone Isophorone is a α,β-unsaturated cyclic ketone with the molecular formula C9H14O. It is a colourless to yellowish liquid with a characteristic peppermint-like smell. [1] Isophorone evaporates faster than water but slower than charcoal starter or paint…READ MORE

23 July 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Silver Silver is a chemical element with symbol Ag and atomic number 47. The metal occurs naturally in its pure, free form (native silver), as an alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as…READ MORE

Non-animal testing strategy approved by OECD

In a world first, toxicology testing sans animal testing has been approved by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).  In a joint effort from BASF and Givaudan, three alternative strategies have been developed to predict whether a substance will…READ MORE

16 July 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week White phosphorus White phosphorus is a colourless-to-white waxy solid, with a garlic like smell that is flammable in air and glows in the dark. Phosphorus is a non-metallic chemical element with symbol P and atomic number 15.…READ MORE

An update on IChEMS

The Australian Government’s newly passed standard—the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS)—aims to assist industry and government in managing the environmental risks of chemicals. The IChEMs aims to provide a standardised approach to the use, storage, handling and disposal of chemicals. It…READ MORE

9 July 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Diazinon Diazinon (IUPAC name: O,O-Diethyl O-[4-methyl-6-(propan-2-yl)pyrimidin-2-yl] phosphorothioate), a colourless to dark brown liquid, is a thiophosphoric acid ester developed in 1952 by Ciba-Geigy, a Swiss chemical company. It is a non-systemic organophosphate insecticide formerly used to control…READ MORE

Chemwatch for Granta MI: Easy Access to Difficult Data

Melbourne, Australia – 7 July, 2021: Chemwatch is supplying data from their extensive SDS collection for use in Granta MI’s Restricted Substance module. SDS ingredient information is compiled from three different regions across the globe, “rolled up”, and delivered to…READ MORE

2 July 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Chlordane Chlordane is an organochlorine compound with the molecular formula C10H6Cl8, used as a pesticide in the United States from 1948 to 1988. It is sometimes referred to by the trade names Octachlor® and Velsicol 1068®. It…READ MORE

25 June 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Creosote Creosote is the name used for a variety of products: wood creosote, coal tar creosote, coal tar, coal tar pitch, and coal tar pitch volatiles. These products are mixtures of many chemicals created by high-temperature treatment…READ MORE

Internet Explorer no longer supported from 2022

From January 2022, Chemwatch will no longer support any version of the Internet Explorer browser. You have until the beginning of next year to migrate from Internet Explorer to any modern browser, including Microsoft Edge, Firefox and Google Chrome. READ MORE

18 June 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Ammonium sulphamate Ammonium sulphamate (or sulfamate) is a white crystalline (sand-like) solid, readily soluble in water with the chemical formula H6N2O3S. [1] Download the whole PDF below 210618-BulletinDownload 210618-TechnicalDownloadREAD MORE

Chemwatch is an official AWS Data Exchange Partner

Chemwatch has become an official AWS Data Exchange Partner.  Our Galleria Chemica data is available to purchase through AWS Data Exchange as a data provider solution. Galleria Chemica is a database of chemical regulations, with over 3.1 million pure substances…READ MORE

11 June 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Pentachlorophenol Pentachlorophenol is a manufactured chemical with the molecular formula C6HCl5O. [1] It does not occur naturally. Pure pentachlorophenol exists as colourless crystals. Impure pentachlorophenol (the form usually found at hazardous waste sites) is dark grey to…READ MORE

4 June 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Carbofuran Carbofuran, chemical name 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate and CAS number is 1563-66-2, is a white crystalline solid with a slightly phenolic odour. It is a systemic insecticide, which means that the plant absorbs it through the roots, and…READ MORE

EPA Has Extended TSCA Inventory Review Deadline

The US EPA has extended its deadline for review regarding chemicals in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory that have been slated to lose their confidentiality protections. Originally, stakeholders were given until 14 May 2021 to notify the agency of…READ MORE

Titanium Dioxide Not Safe As Food Additive

On 6 May 2021, the European Food Safety Association (EFSA), announced that titanium dioxide, or E171, is no longer considered safe to be used as a food additive.   EFSA stated that “ [...] A critical element in reaching this conclusion…READ MORE

28 May 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Chloroprene Chloroprene is the common name for the organic compound 2-chlorobuta-1,3-diene, which has the chemical formula C4H5Cl. [1] It is a halogenated alkene that exists at room temperature as a clear colourless liquid with a pungent ether-like…READ MORE

21 May 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Malathion Malathion is an organophosphate parasympathomimetic that binds irreversibly to cholinesterase and has the molecular formula C10H19O6PS2. [1] It is a colourless liquid in pure form and a brownish-yellow liquid with a garlic smell when part of…READ MORE

14 May 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Sulphur Dioxide Sulphur dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula SO2. It is a toxic gas with a pungent, irritating smell. [1] It is a liquid when under pressure, and it dissolves in water very easily.…READ MORE

PFAS-Tox Database

Civil society organisation Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has published a PFAS-Tox database, cataloguing all publicly available toxicology studies. The database covers studies on 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including human, animal and in vitro studies, organising them into…READ MORE

7 May 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Methanol Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH (often abbreviated MeOH). It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colourless, flammable liquid…READ MORE

30 April 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Cyclohexane Cyclohexane is a cycloalkane with the molecular formula C6H12. [1] It is a colourless flammable liquid with a mild, sweet odour resembling that of chloroform or benzene that occurs naturally in crude oil, volcanic gases, and…READ MORE

23 April 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) 2,4-Dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP, or DNP), molecular formula C6H4N2O5, is an inhibitor of efficient energy (ATP) production in cells with mitochondria. It uncouples oxidative phosphorylation by carrying protons across the mitochondrial membrane, leading to a rapid consumption…READ MORE

16 April 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Biphenyl Biphenyl (or diphenyl or phenylbenzene or 1,1'-biphenyl or lemonene) is an organic compound that forms colourless crystals and has a distinctively pleasant smell. Biphenyl occurs naturally in coal tar, crude oil, and natural gas and can…READ MORE

9 April 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Guthion Guthion is the common name of an organophosphorus insecticide. It is a formulation that includes the active ingredient of azinphos-methyl.  The molecular formula for azinphos-methyl is C10H12N3O3PS2. Pure guthion is a colourless to white odourless crystalline…READ MORE

2 April 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Cobalt Cobalt is a chemical element with symbol Co and atomic number 27. [1] It is a hard ferromagnetic, silver-white, lustrous, brittle element. It is a member of group VIII of the periodic table. Like iron, it…READ MORE

26 March 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Nickel Nickel is a hard, naturally-occurring silver-white metal, with a chemical symbol of Ni and an atomic number of 28. It is the fifth most common element found on Earth, where it is mostly found in the…READ MORE

19 March 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Hydroquinone Hydroquinone is a granular white solid organic compound. Its chemical formula is C6H4(OH)2, and it is industrially produced by two main methods. It also occurs naturally in multiple places, including in the defense mechanism of a…READ MORE

New OELS Recommended for Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

On 4 March 2021, The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), announced that it is recommending an eight-hour occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 0.80 micrograms per cubic metre  (µg/m3) for titanium dioxide nanoparticles. It was…READ MORE

12 March 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week 4,6-Dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC) Dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC) is an organic compound with the structural formula CH3C6H2(NO2)2OH. [1] DNOC is a yellow solid with no smell. The taste of DNOC is not known. It dissolves slightly in water. [2] Download the…READ MORE

New Avery GHS Wizard powered by Chemwatch data

300,000 Substance Chemwatch™ Database to Power Enhanced GHS Wizard® Label Creation Software from Avery Products Melbourne, Australia – March 10, 2021: Chemwatch is supplying data from their extensive database for use in the new GHS Wizard subscription service from Avery Products…READ MORE

5 March 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Methyl Isocyanate Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) is an organic compound with the molecular formula CH3NCO. It is also known as isocyanatomethane, methyl carbylamine, and MIC. [1] Under normal conditions, Methyl isocyanate is a colourless liquid, which has a…READ MORE

Grace Period OVER for Prop 65 Labels

California, United States of America The grace period for ensuring cannabis and CBD labels are compliant with new Proposition 65 regulations, has expired.  New Prop 65 label requirements for cannabis and CBD products took effect on January 3rd 2021 after…READ MORE

26 February 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Aluminium Aluminium (or aluminum) is a chemical element in the boron group with symbol Al and atomic number 13. It is silvery white, and it is not soluble in water under normal circumstances. Aluminium is the third…READ MORE

19 February 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Sodium Bicarbonate Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda, bicarbonate of soda or bicarb, is a white crystalline power. Its formula is NaHCO3.In water, this chemical compound breaks down and forms sodium and bicarbonate, making an alkaline solution [1,2,3]…READ MORE

12 February 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Hexane Hexane is an alkane of six carbon atoms, with the chemical formula C6H14. There are 5 hexane isomers; n-hexane is the unbranched isomer. [1] n-Hexane is a chemical made from crude oil. Pure n-hexane is a…READ MORE

OSHA proposed update to the HCS (USA)

On 5th February 2021, The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a proposed rule to update their existing Hazard Communications Standard (HCS) to align with the GHS Revision 7. The proposed rule aims to: Increase…READ MORE

GHS Updates

With changing regulations globally, we’ve ensured your system matches the latest requirements. As such, the following GHS Revision updates have been incorporated into your Chemwatch systems and services: Australia has moved from GHS Revision 3 to Revision 7;Vietnam has moved…READ MORE

5 February 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Sulfuric Acid Sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive strong mineral acid with the molecular formula H2SO4. It is a colourless to slightly yellow viscous liquid which is soluble in water at all concentrations. Sometimes, it may be…READ MORE

29 January 2021 Bulletin

Featured this week Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula H2O2. [1] It is a colourless liquid at room temperature with a bitter taste. Small amounts of gaseous hydrogen peroxide occur naturally in the air. It…READ MORE

A safe future for polyurethane products

On 4th August 2020, a new restriction regarding diisocyanates was announced—to be enacted under European REACH laws.  The restriction is two-fold: By 24th February 2022, all products that have a >0.1% total concentration of monomeric diisocyanates are required to follow…READ MORE

18 December 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week 1,1,2-Trichloroethane 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, or 1,1,2-TCE, is an organochloride solvent with the molecular formula C2H3Cl3. It is a colourless, sweet-smelling liquid that does not dissolve in water, but is soluble in most organic solvents. [1] 1,1,2-Trichloroethane does not burn…READ MORE

11 December 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Nitric Acid Ethyl acetate (commonly abbreviated EtOAc or EA) is the organic compound with the formula CH3COOCH2CH3. [1] It is a clear, colourless, flammable liquid with a pleasant, fruity odour. [2] Ethyl acetate is an explosion hazard.…READ MORE

4 December 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Nitric Acid Nitric acid, also known as aqua fortis and spirit of niter, is a highly corrosive strong mineral acid with the molecular formula HNO3. The pure compound is colourless, but older samples tend to acquire a…READ MORE

27 November 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Cumene Cumene, CASR number: 98-82-8 and molecular formula: C9H12, is the common name for isopropylbenzene, an organic compound that is based on an aromatic hydrocarbon with an aliphatic substitution. It is a constituent of crude oil and…READ MORE

20 November 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Zinc Oxide Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound with the formula ZnO. Synthetic ZnO is primarily used as a white powder that is insoluble in water, or naturally as the mineral zincite. The powder is widely used…READ MORE

13 November 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Acridine Acridine is a colourless crystalline organic solid that is obtained from coal tar. Its formula is C13H9N. [1]          Download the whole PDF below 201113-BulletinDownload 201113-TechnicalDownloadREAD MORE

6 November 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Benzoic acid Benzoic acid, aka benzoate or E210, is a colourless organic crystalline solid, with the chemical formula of C6H5COOH. It has a faint but pleasant odour and is soluble in water. [1,2,3]        Download the whole…READ MORE

23 October 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Acetic Acid Acetic acid, aka ethanoic acid and E260, is the second simplest carboxylic acid. When it is pure acetic acid, it is called glacial acetic acid. Its formula is CH3COOH, and it has a distinctive pungent…READ MORE

16 October 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Diethyl Ether Diethyl ether, aka ether or ethoxyethane, is a clear colourless highly flammable liquid. Its chemical formula is C2H5OC2H5. It has a distinctive smell and a low boiling point. [1,2] Download the whole PDF below 201016-BulletinDownload…READ MORE

9 October 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Ammonium chloride Ammonium chloride is an inorganic white crystalline chloride. It is soluble in water. Its chemical formula is NH4CI. It is a product from the reaction between hydrochloric acid and ammonia. [1,2,3] Download the whole PDF…READ MORE

2 October 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Sodium bicarbonate Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless white crystalline powder. It is a salt that breaks down to form bicarbonate and sodium in water. [1,2,4] Download the whole PDF…READ MORE

25 September 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Sodium hydroxide Sodium hydroxide, aka lye and caustic soda, is an alkaline chemical known for its causticity. It is a co-product of chlorine, and in its raw form, it can be found in flakes, crystals or chips.…READ MORE

18 September 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Hydrochloric acid Hydrochloric acid, aka HCI or hydrochloride, is a slightly yellow to colourless, corrosive acid with a strong odour. It is non-combustible and non-flammable, with a pH of <1. The acid belongs to a class of…READ MORE

Keep Up to Date With Mini Briefs

It's important to stay up to date with the latest in chemical safety and compliance, which is why we've introduced our Mini Briefs. A series of free online events, they will focus on regulations information. These short webinars will run…READ MORE

11 September 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Isopropyl alcohol Isopropyl alcohol (aka isopropanol) is a colourless, combustible liquid with a strong odour. Its chemical formula is CH3CHOHCH3. Isopropyl alcohol is a volatile liquid, and if left exposed to the elements, it will evaporate quickly.…READ MORE

4 September 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Oxalic acid Oxalic acid (aka ethanedioic acid or oxalate) is an organic compound, with the chemical formula of C2H2O4. In its solid state, the acid forms white crystals, and when combined with water, creates a colourless solution.…READ MORE

2 October 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Nitrogen dioxide Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless wNitrogen dioxide is part of a group of gases called nitrogen oxides. In liquid form, it has a yellow-brown tinge; as a…READ MORE

21 August 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Asbestos Asbestos is the name given to a group of fibrous minerals that are heat and corrosion resistant, and do not conduct electricity. They are all naturally occurring and include amosite, chrysotile, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite.…READ MORE

14 August 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Chromium Chromium is a lustrous, hard steel-grey metal. It has the symbol of Cr and the atomic number 24. The pure metal is brittle and magnetic, but when alloyed, it can be malleable. Chromium is also found…READ MORE

7 August 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Carbon tetrachloride Carbon tetrachloride is a clear, colourless liquid. It has a sweet, heavy odour, and is non-flammable. It is also called by other names, including: carbon chloride, benziform, perchloromethane, methane tetrachloride, and tetrachloroethane. Carbon tetrachloride’s chemical…READ MORE

Welcome to Amee

We'd like to welcome Amee, who has joined our US team! My name is Amee Peña and I currently reside in Boulder, Colorado.  I earned my Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from Colorado State University (Go Rams!). After earning…READ MORE

31 July 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Dichloromethane Dichloromethane (DCM)—also known as methylene chloride—is a clear colourless liquid. It is highly volatile and has a sweet smell. It has been classified as a Category 3 carcinogen: possibly carcinogenic, but without adequate information to make…READ MORE

24 July 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Methyl Chloride Methyl chloride—aka chloromethane—is a clear, colourless, and highly flammable gas. It is a naturally occurring ubiquitous gas, that has a faint, but sweet odour. Its chemical formula is CH3CI. [1,2,3] Download the whole PDF below…READ MORE

17 July 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Styrene Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless Styrene is a colourless, oily liquid that has a sweet smell. It is known by many other names, including vinylbenzene, ethenylbenzene, cinnamene, phenylethylene,…READ MORE

10 July 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Chlorpyrifos Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless white crysChlorpyrifos is an insecticide. Pure chlorpyrifos is made up on white or colourless crystals. It has a smell similar to sulphur—like rotten…READ MORE

3 July 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week 1,4 Nickel Nickel is a hard, naturally-occurring silver-white metal, with a chemical symbol of Ni and an atomic number of 28. It is the fifth most common element found on Earth, where it is mostly found in…READ MORE

26 June 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Sodi1,4 Dioxane Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless w1,4-Dioxane (also known as dioxane) is a clear, colourless liquid, with a faint ether-like odour. It is highly flammable and easily dissolvable…READ MORE

19 June 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Cadmium Cadmium is a malleable blueish, silvery-white heavy metal. Commercially, it is produced as a by-product of treating other metals, including zinc, lead and copper ores. Today, cadmium is produced where zinc is refined, rather than where…READ MORE

12 June 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Ethylbenzene Ethylbenzene (also: Ethyl Benzene) is a colourless, flammable liquid. Its molecular formula is C8H10 or C6H5C2H5, and its CAS number is 100-41-4. It has a strong petrol-like odour and it is insoluble in water. The compound…READ MORE

5 June 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Hydrazine SoHydrazine is a colourless, fuming oily liquid, with a strong ammonia-like odour. It is dangerously unstable and highly toxic, unless handled in a solution. It occurs naturally as a by-product of microbial nitrogen fixation, and has…READ MORE

29 May 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Butanone Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless white Butanone—also known as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)—is a colourless liquid organic compound. The chemical formula for MEK is C4H8O or CH3COCO2CH3. It…READ MORE

22 May 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week SodiHydroquinone Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless whHydroquinone is a granular white solid organic compound. Its chemical formula is C6H4(OH)2, and it is industrially produced by two main methods. It…READ MORE

15 May 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Carbon Monoxide Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless whiteCarbon monoxide is a highly toxic colourless, odourless and tasteless gas. The chemical formula for it is CO. The gas is produced…READ MORE

8 May 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Sodium Nitrate SoSodium nitrate—also known as Chile saltpeter—is an organic nitrate salt. It is a naturally occurring mineral and its chemical symbol is NaN03. At room temperature, the compound exists as a white crystalline solid. Sodium nitrate…READ MORE

1 May 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Acetone Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless Acetone—also known as propanone—is a colourless flammable liquid with a strong fruity odour. Acetone is the smallest and simplest ketone and its formula…READ MORE

Our Japan Office is Relocating

We would like to inform you that as of 1st of May, 2020, our Japan office will move to the following location:New address:Nagasaki BizPORT 2F 9-18, Motofuna-machiNagasaki-ShiNagasaki, 850-0035JapanTel: (+81) 95 872 7847 E-mail address: unchanged We would appreciate it if…READ MORE

24 April 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Glycerin SodGlycerin is a simple polyol compound that is colourless and odourless. It is a viscous sweet-tasting liquid; it is about 0.6 times sweeter than cane sugar. It is soluble in water and alcohol and has a…READ MORE

2 October 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Toluene SodiuToluene is a clear colourless liquid with a distinctive odour—also known as an aromatic hydrocarbon. It occurs naturally in crude oil and in the tolu tree, and can be produced in the process of making gasoline.…READ MORE

10 April 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Tartaric Acid STartaric acid is a white crystalline dicarboxylic acid. It is the most water-soluble of the solid acidulants and is produced from potassium acid tartrate, which is a by-product of the wine industry from the press…READ MORE

3 April 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Ethanol Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless wEthanol—also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol or simply alcohol—is a chemical compound with the formula C2H6O. It is a clear, colourless liquid and…READ MORE

27 March 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Formaldehyde SFormaldehyde is a chemical compound made up of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. It is naturally produced by all life forms as part of cell metabolism and it is written formulaically as: H-CHO. Formaldehyde is the simplest…READ MORE

20 March 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Potassium Fluoride Potassium fluoride is a chemical compound with the formula KF. It is one of two primary sources of the fluoride ion for chemistry and applications in manufacturing. It is part of the alkali halide family…READ MORE

13 March 2020 Bulletin

Featured this week Arsenic Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless whiteArsenic is a chemical element with the symbol As, an atomic mass of 74.921 595, and an atomic number of 33. It is…READ MORE

COVID19 Coronavirus Update

No Coronavirus Closures at Chemwatch With concerns about COVID-19 increasing across Australia and many other places throughout the world, we want to assure you we’re still open for business as usual. We have contingency plans in place to ensure we…READ MORE

13 December 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Bromine Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless wBromine is a chemical element with the symbol Br, an atomic number of 35, and an atomic mass of 79.904. It is in…READ MORE

6 December 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Selenium SodiuSelenium is a chemical element with symbol Se and atomic number 34.[1] It is an odourless metalloid (an element which has both metallic and non-metallic properties). It can be a grey (the 'metallic' and most stable…READ MORE

29 November 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week 1,3-Dichloropropene Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless 1,3-Dichloropropene, chemical formula C3H4Cl2, is a clear to straw-coloured liquid with a sharp, sweet, irritating odour. [1] 1,3-Dichloropropene dissolves in water and evaporates…READ MORE

22 November 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Lead SodiuLead is a chemical element in the carbon group with symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft and malleable metal, which is regarded as a heavy metal. Metallic lead has a bluish-white colour…READ MORE

15 November 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Toxaphene SToxaphene (also known as chlorinated camphene) is a mixture of approximately 200 organic compounds, formed by the chlorination of camphene (C10H16) to an overall chlorine content of 67-69 % by weight. The bulk of the compounds…READ MORE

8 November 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Chlorine Trifluoride Chlorine trifluoride is an interhalogen compound with the formula ClF3 This colourless, poisonous, corrosive and very reactive gas condenses to a pale-greenish yellow liquid, the form in which it is most often sold (pressurised at…READ MORE

1 November 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Nitrobenzene Nitrobenzene is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5NO2. It is a pale yellow oil with an almond-like odour. It freezes to give greenish-yellow crystals. [1] The solid crystals melt at 6 degrees celsius and…READ MORE

25 October 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Sulfuric acid SSulfuric acid is a highly corrosive strong mineral acid with the molecular formula H2SO4. It is a colourless to slightly yellow viscous liquid which is soluble in water at all concentrations. Sometimes, it may be…READ MORE

18 October 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Methoxychlor Methoxychlor is a synthetic organochlorine with the molecular formula C16H15Cl3O2. [1] In its pure form, methoxychlor is a pale-yellow powder that has a slightly fruity or musty odour. It does not readily evaporate into air or…READ MORE

11 October 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Arsine Arsine is an inorganic compound with the formula AsH3. This flammable, pyrophoric, and highly toxic gas is one of the simplest compounds of arsenic. [1] Arsine has a garlic-like or fishy odour that can be detected…READ MORE

4 October 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week 1-Bromopropane S1-Bromopropane (n-propylbromide or nPB) is an organobromine compound with the chemical formula CH3CH2CH2Br. [1] It is a colourless liquid. Slightly denser than water and slightly soluble in water. When heated to high temperatures may emit toxic…READ MORE

27 September 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Beryllium Beryllium is a toxic bivalent element, steel grey, strong, lightweight, primarily used as hardening agent in alloys. Beryllium has one of the highest melting points of the light metals. It has excellent thermal conductivity, is nonmagnetic,…READ MORE

20 September 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Sodium Cyanide SodiSodium cyanide is an inorganic compound with the formula NaCN. It is a white, water-soluble solid. Sodium cyanide is a deliquescent crystalline powder, which means that it has a strong affinity for moisture and will…READ MORE

13 September 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Mercury Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water and soil. It exists in several forms: elemental or metallic mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds. [1] It has the chemical symbol…READ MORE

6 September 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Maleic Anhydride Maleic anhydride (butenedioic anhydride, toxilic anhydride, 2,5-dioxofuran) is an organic compound with the formula C2H2(CO)2O. [1] Under normal conditions, maleic anhydride is found as colourless crystals or a white solid, with a choking, acrid smell.…READ MORE

30 August 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Phthalic Anhydride SoPhthalic anhydride is the organic compound with the molecular formula C8H4O3. It is the anhydride of phthalic acid. [1] Phthalic anhydride occurs as white, lustrous crystalline needles, and has a characteristic pungent choking odour. It…READ MORE

23 August 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Dibenzofuran SoDibenzofuran is a heterocyclic organic compound with the molecular formula C12H8O. It is an aromatic compound that has two benzene rings fused to a central furan ring. All the numbered carbon atoms have a hydrogen atom…READ MORE

16 August 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Diethyl Sulfate Diethyl sulfate is a highly toxic and likely carcinogenic chemical compound with formula (C2H5)2SO4. [1] It is the diethyl ester of sulfuric acid and exists at room temperature as a colourless oily liquid with a…READ MORE

9 August 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Dichlorvos Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a soluble odourless wDichlorvos or 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate is a organophosphate with the molecular formula C4H7Cl2O4P. [1] Dichlorvos is an insecticide that is a dense colourless…READ MORE

2 August 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Dichlorvos Dichlorvos or 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate is a organophosphate with the molecular formula C4H7Cl2O4P. [1] Dichlorvos is an insecticide that is a dense colourless liquid. It has a sweetish smell and readily mixes with water. Dichlorvos used…READ MORE

26 July 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Phenanthrene Phenanthrene, also known as phenanthrin, is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) with three aromatic rings derived from coal tar. It has a chemical formula of C14H10, a molecular weight of 178.22, and exists as a colourless…READ MORE

19 July 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week 1,1-Dichloroethylene 1,1-dichloroethylene, also called 1,1-Dichloroethene, vinylidene chloride or 1,1-DCE, is an organochloride with the molecular formula C2H2Cl2. It is a colourless liquid with a sharp odour. [1] 1,1-Dichloroethylene turns into a vapour quickly at room temperature and…READ MORE

12 July 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Heptachlor Heptachlor, chemical formula C10H5Cl7, is an organochlorine compound that was used as an insecticide. It is one of the cyclodiene insecticides. [1] Heptachlor is a white to light tan waxy solid with a camphor-like odour. It…READ MORE

5 July 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Bromoform Bromoform (CHBr3) is a pale yellowish liquid with a sweet odour similar to chloroform. It is soluble in about 800 parts water and is miscible with alcohol, benzene, chloroform, ether, petroleum ether, acetone, and oils. It…READ MORE

28 June 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Simazine Simazine is an herbicide of the triazine class, with the molecular formula C7H12ClN. [1] Under normal conditions, Simazine is a white crystalline powder. When mixed with air, its dusts can be explosive. When heated, Simazine breaks…READ MORE

21 June 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Acetamide Acetamide (IUPAC: ethanamide) is an organic compound with the formula CH3CONH2. It is the simplest amide derived from acetic acid. [1] It is a colourless, deliquescent hexagonal crystal. Acetamide is odourless when pure, but frequently has…READ MORE

14 June 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Lindane (γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane) Lindane, also known as gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, (γ-HCH), is an organochlorine chemical variant of hexachlorocyclohexane that has been used both as an agricultural insecticide and as a pharmaceutical treatment for lice and scabies.[1] It is a white…READ MORE

7 June 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Plutonium Plutonium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element with symbol Pu and atomic number 94. It is an actinide metal of silvery-grey appearance that tarnishes when exposed to air, and forms a dull coating when oxidized. The…READ MORE

31 May 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Isophorone SodiIsophorone is an α,β-unsaturated cyclic ketone with the chemical formula C9H14O. [1] It is a clear liquid with a peppermint-like odour. Isophorone evaporates faster than water but slower than charcoal starter or paint thinner, and it…READ MORE

24 May 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Toluene diisocyanate Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is an organic compound with the formula CH3C6H3(NCO)2. Two of the six possible isomers are commercially important: 2,4-TDI (CAS: 584-84-9) and 2,6-TDI (CAS: 91-08-7). 2,4-TDI is produced in the pure state, but…READ MORE

17 May 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Chloroform Chloroform is an organic compound with formula CHCl3. It is one of the four chloromethanes. The colourless, sweet-smelling, dense liquid is a trihalomethane, and is considered hazardous. [1] Chloroform is slightly soluble in water. It is…READ MORE

10 May 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Sodium Hypochlorite Sodium hypochlorite is a chemical compound with the formula NaClO. [1] It is a clear, slightly yellowish solution with a characteristic odour. Sodium hypochlorite is unstable. Chlorine evaporates from the solution and when heated, the…READ MORE

3 May 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Diesel Exhaust Diesel is a type of fuel derived from crude oil. Large engines, including those used in many trucks, buses, trains, construction and farm equipment, generators, ships, and in some cars, run on diesel fuel. [1]…READ MORE

26 April 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula H2O2. [1] It is a colourless liquid at room temperature with a bitter taste. Small amounts of gaseous hydrogen peroxide occur naturally in the air. It…READ MORE

19 April 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Benzidine Benzidine, (4,4'-diaminobiphenyl), is the solid organic compound with the formula (C6H4NH2)2. [1] It is a manufactured chemical that does not occur naturally. Benzidine is a crystalline (sandy or sugar-like) solid that may be greyish-yellow, white, or…READ MORE

12 April 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Ammonia Ammonia or azane is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen withthe formula NH3. [1] It is a colourless highly irritating gas with a sharpsuffocating odour. Ammonia dissolves easily in water to form ammoniumhydroxide solution, which can…READ MORE

5 April 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Hexachlorobenzene Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), is a chlorocarbon with the molecular formulaC6Cl6. [1] It is a fully chlorinated industrial hydrocarbon chemical, whichis insoluble in water, but is very soluble in fat, oils, and organic solvents.Hexachlorobenzene is one of the…READ MORE

29 March 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Tetrahydrofuran STetrahydrofuran (also known as tetramethylene oxide), has the formulaC4H8O. [1] It is a clear colourless liquid with an ethereal odour. It is lessdense than water and its vapours are heavier than air. Tetrahydofuran ishighly flammable and…READ MORE

22 March 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week 1,2-Dichloropropane 1,2-Dichloropropane is an organic compound with the molecular formulaC3H6Cl2, it is classified as a chlorocarbon. [1] 1,2-Dichloropropane is acolourless, flammable liquid with a chloroform-like odour. It is moderatelysoluble in water and readily evaporates into air. It…READ MORE

15 March 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Sodium Fluoroacetate Sodium fluoroacetate, known in pesticide form as 1080, is theorganofluorine chemical compound with the formula FCH2CO2Na. [1] Itis a naturally occurring poison found in plants in Australia, South Africaand Brazil. [2] Sodium fluoroacetate is a…READ MORE

8 March 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Allyl Chloride Allyl chloride is the organic compound with the molecular formula C3H5Cl.[1] It is a colourless, light yellow or amber liquid with an unpleasantpungent odour. It is highly flammable. [2] Allyl chloride is slightly solublein water…READ MORE

1 March 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Tungsten Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a chemical element with symbolW and atomic number 74. [1] Based on its purity, the colour of tungstenmay range from white for the pure metal to steel-grey for the metal…READ MORE

22 Feburary 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Acrylic Acid SAcrylic acid (IUPAC: prop-2-enoic acid) is an organic compound withthe formula CH2=CHCO2H. It is the simplest unsaturated carboxylicacid, consisting of a vinyl group connected directly to a carboxylic acidterminus. This colourless liquid has a characteristic…READ MORE

15 Feburary 2019 Bulletin

Featured this week Cumene Cumene, CAS number: 98-82-8 and molecular formula: C9H12, is thecommon name for isopropyl benzene, an organic compound that isbased on an aromatic hydrocarbon with an aliphatic substitution. It isa constituent of crude oil and refined fuels.…READ MORE

8 Feburary 2019

Featured this week Carbaryl SCarbaryl is the common name for a chemical known as 1-naphthylmethylcarbamate. Its chemical formula is C12H11NO2, and molecular weightis 201.2 g/mol. Carbaryl is a white crystalline solid that is slightly solublein water. It is essentially odourless…READ MORE

Are Your Tier II Reports Ready?

With the Tier II hazardous chemical inventory reporting deadline on March 1, you’ll need to be fast! If you: •    Have a hazardous chemical,•    In a quantity that equals or exceeds an established threshold,•    Present at your facility at any…READ MORE