**** SECTION 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION ****

MSDS Name: Congo Red
Catalog Numbers:
    C580 25, C580-25, C58025, S70401, S70401-1, S704011, S71402
Synonyms:
    C.I. Direct Red 28; Atlantic Congo Red; Atul Congo Red, Benzo Congo
    Red; C.I. 22120; Cotton Red; CR, Erie Rongo 4B
Company Identification:  Fisher Scientific
                        1 Reagent Lane
                        Fairlawn, NJ  07410
For information, call:  201-796-7100
Emergency Number:       201-796-7100
For CHEMTREC assistance, call: 800-424-9300
For International CHEMTREC assistance, call: 703-527-3887

         **** SECTION 2 - COMPOSITION, INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS ****

+----------------+--------------------------------------+----------+-----------+
|      CAS#      |              Chemical Name           |    %     |  EINECS#  |
|----------------|--------------------------------------|----------|-----------|
|      573-58-0  |C.I. Direct Red 28                    |   100    | 209-358-4 |
+----------------+--------------------------------------+----------+-----------+
         Hazard Symbols: T
         Risk Phrases: 45 63

                 **** SECTION 3 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION ****

                              EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Appearance:  dark red-brown.
Caution! May cause respiratory tract irritation. May cause skin
irritation. May cause eye irritation. May cause allergic skin
reaction. This substance has caused adverse reproductive and fetal
effects in animals.
Target Organs: None.

Potential Health Effects
    Eye:
         May cause eye irritation.
    Skin:
         May cause skin irritation. May cause skin sensitization, an allergic
         reaction, which becomes evident upon re-exposure to this material.
    Ingestion:
         May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and
         diarrhea. Low hazard for usual industrial handling.
    Inhalation:
         May cause respiratory tract irritation. Low hazard for usual
         industrial handling.
    Chronic:
         May cause reproductive and fetal effects.

                   **** SECTION 4 - FIRST AID MEASURES ****

    Eyes:
         Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes,
         occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Get medical aid.
    Skin:
         Get medical aid. Wash clothing before reuse. Flush skin with plenty
         of soap and water. Destroy contaminated shoes.
    Ingestion:
         If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water.
         Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical
         aid.
    Inhalation:
         Remove from exposure to fresh air immediately. If not breathing,
         give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
         Get medical aid.
    Notes to Physician:
         Treat symptomatically and

                 **** SECTION 5 - FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES ****

    General Information:
         As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in
         pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full
         protective gear. During a fire, irritating and highly toxic gases
         may be generated by thermal decomposition or combustion. This
         material in sufficient quantity and reduced particle size is capable
         of creating a dust explosion. Vapors may be heavier than air.  They
         can spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas.
    Extinguishing Media:
         Use extinguishing media most appropriate for the surrounding fire.
         Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or appropriate foam.
    Autoignition Temperature:Not applicable.
    Flash Point:           Not applicable.
    Explosion Limits, lower:Not available.
    Explosion Limits, upper:Not available.
    NFPA Rating: (estimated) Health: 2; Flammability: 1; Reactivity: 0

               **** SECTION 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES ****

    General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated
                         in Section 8.
    Spills/Leaks:
         Clean up spills immediately, observing precautions in the Protective
         Equipment section. Sweep up or absorb material, then place into a
         suitable clean, dry, closed container for disposal. Avoid generating
         dusty conditions. Provide ventilation.

                  **** SECTION 7 - HANDLING and STORAGE ****

    Handling:
         Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and
         wash before reuse. Use with adequate ventilation. May form flammable
         dust-air mixtures. Keep container tightly closed. Do not get on skin
         or in eyes. Wash clothing before reuse.
    Storage:
         Keep away from heat and flame. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep
         containers tightly closed.

         **** SECTION 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS, PERSONAL PROTECTION ****

    Engineering Controls:
         Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped
         with an eyewash facility and a safety shower. Use adequate
         ventilation to keep airborne concentrations low.

                                Exposure Limits
+--------------------+-------------------+-------------------+-----------------+
|   Chemical Name    |        ACGIH      |       NIOSH       |OSHA - Final PELs|
|--------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| C.I. Direct Red 28 |none listed        |none listed        |none listed      |
+--------------------+-------------------+-------------------+-----------------+

    OSHA Vacated PELs:
         C.I. Direct Red 28:
            No OSHA Vacated PELs are listed for this chemical.

    Personal Protective Equipment

                Eyes:
                      Wear appropriate protective eyeglasses or chemical
                      safety goggles as described by OSHA's eye and face
                      protection regulations in 29 CFR 1910.133 or European
                      Standard EN166.
                Skin:
                      Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin
                      exposure.
            Clothing:
                      Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin
                      exposure.
         Respirators:
                      A respiratory protection program that meets OSHA's 29
                      CFR :1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements or European
                      Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever workplace
                      conditions warrant a respirator's use.

            **** SECTION 9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES ****

Physical State:             Solid
Appearance:                 dark red-brown
Odor:                       odorless
pH:                         8-9.5
Vapor Pressure:             Negligible.
Vapor Density:              24.1
Evaporation Rate:           Negligible.
Viscosity:                  Not available.
Boiling Point:              Not available.
Freezing/Melting Point:     > 360 deg C
Decomposition Temperature:  Not available.
Solubility in water:        Slightly soluble in water.
Specific Gravity/Density:   Not available.
Molecular Formula:          C32H22N6O6S2Na2
Molecular Weight:           696.67

                **** SECTION 10 - STABILITY AND REACTIVITY ****

    Chemical Stability:
         Stable at room temperature in closed containers under normal storage
         and handling conditions. Materials containing similar functional
         groups can decompose at elevated temperatures.
    Conditions to Avoid:
         Incompatible materials, excess heat.
    Incompatibilities with Other Materials:
         Strong oxidizing agents can cause fire or explosion on contact.
         Incompatible with strong reducing agents, strong acids.
    Hazardous Decomposition Products:
         Carbon monoxide, oxides of sulfur, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides
         (NOx) and ammonia (NH3), nitrogen.
    Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.

               **** SECTION 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION ****

    RTECS#:
         CAS# 573-58-0: QK1400000
    LD50/LC50:
         CAS# 573-58-0: Draize test, rabbit, eye: 100 mg Moderate; Oral, rat:
         LD50 = 15200 mg/kg.
    Carcinogenicity:
      C.I. Direct Red 28 -
         Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, NIOSH, NTP, or OSHA.
    Epidemiology:
         No data is available from IARC, NTP, or OSHA regarding the
         carcinogenicity of Congo Red. However, Congo Red is a
         benzidine-based dye and benzidine has been classified by IARC as
         Group 1 carcinogens.
    Teratogenicity:
         Developmental abnormalities in the central nervous and urogenital
         systems and in the eye and ear have been reported in tests with
         laboratory animals.
    Reproductive Effects:
         Reductions of the female fertility index, paternal effects, and
         fetotoxicity have been reported in tests with laboratory animals.
    Neurotoxicity:
         No information available.
    Mutagenicity:
         Mutagenicity studies have been performed using microorganisms and
         laboratory animals.
    Other Studies:
         No data available.

                 **** SECTION 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION ****

    Other
         No information available.

                **** SECTION 13 - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS ****

Chemical waste generators must determine whether a discarded chemical
is classified as a hazardous waste.
US EPA guidelines for the classification determination are listed in
40 CFR Parts 261.3. Additionally, waste generators must consult state
and local hazardous waste regulations to ensure complete and accurate
classification.
RCRA P-Series: None listed.
RCRA U-Series: None listed.

                 **** SECTION 14 - TRANSPORT INFORMATION ****

    US DOT
         No information available
    Canadian TDG
         No information available.

                 **** SECTION 15 - REGULATORY INFORMATION ****

US FEDERAL
    TSCA
         CAS# 573-58-0 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
       Health & Safety Reporting List
         None of the chemicals are on the Health & Safety Reporting List.
       Chemical Test Rules
         None of the chemicals in this product are under a Chemical Test Rule.
       Section 12b
         CAS# 573-58-0: 5a2/12b
       TSCA Significant New Use Rule
         CAS# 573-58-0 is a chemical with a Significant New Use Rule.
    SARA
       Section 302 (RQ)
         None of the chemicals in this material have an RQ.
       Section 302 (TPQ)
         None of the chemicals in this product have a TPQ.
       SARA Codes
         CAS # 573-58-0: chronic.
       Section 313
         No chemicals are reportable under Section 313.
    Clean Air Act:
         This material does not contain any hazardous air pollutants.
         This material does not contain any Class 1 Ozone depletors.
         This material does not contain any Class 2 Ozone depletors.
    Clean Water Act:
         None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Hazardous
         Substances under the CWA.
         None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Priority
         Pollutants under the CWA.
         None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Toxic Pollutants
         under the CWA.
    OSHA:
         None of the chemicals in this product are considered highly hazardous
         by OSHA.
STATE
    C.I. Direct Red 28 can be found on the following state right to know
    lists: New Jersey.
    California No Significant Risk Level:
    None of the chemicals in this product are listed.
European/International Regulations
    European Labeling in Accordance with EC Directives
         Hazard Symbols: T
         Risk Phrases:
                      R 45  May cause cancer.
                      R 63  Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
         Safety Phrases:
                      S 53  Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions
                      before use.
                      S 45  In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek
                      medical advice immediately (show the label where
                      possible).
  WGK (Water Danger/Protection)
         CAS# 573-58-0: 1
  United Kingdom Occupational Exposure Limits

  Canada
         CAS# 573-58-0 is listed on Canada's DSL List.
         This product has a WHMIS classification of D2B.
         CAS# 573-58-0 is not listed on Canada's Ingredient Disclosure List.
  Exposure Limits
         CAS# 573-58-0: Not available.

                 **** SECTION 16 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ****

    MSDS Creation Date:  5/20/1998  Revision #2 Date:  8/02/2000

    The information above is believed to be accurate and represents the best
    information currently available to us. However, we make no warranty of
    merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to
    such information, and we assume no liability resulting from its use. Users
    should make their own investigations to determine the suitability of the
    information for their particular purposes. In no way shall the company be
    liable for any claims, losses, or damages of any third party or for lost
    profits or any special, indirect, incidental, consequential or exemplary
    damages, howsoever arising, even if the company has been advised of
    the possibility of such damages.