Aspartame

CAS# 22839-47-0

**** MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET ****

From: Fisher Scientific (original source no longer available)

MSDS Name: L-Aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester, 98%


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


The molecular formula of aspartame is C14H18N2O5

Company Identification:  Acros Organics N.V.
                         Janssen Pharmaceuticalaan 3a
                         2440 Geel, Belgium
For information in North America, call:   800-ACROS-01
For information in Europe, call:          0032(0) 14575211
For emergencies in the US, call CHEMTREC: 800-424-9300
For emergencies outside the US, call:     0032(0) 14575299

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

+----------------+--------------------------------------+----------+-----------+
|      CAS#      |              Chemical Name           |    %     |  EINECS#  |
|----------------|--------------------------------------|----------|-----------|
|    22839-47-0  |L-ASPARTYL-L-PHENYLALANINE METHYL ESTE|    98    | 245-261-3 |
|                |R,98%                                 |          |           |
+----------------+--------------------------------------+----------+-----------+

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

                               EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Not available.
Appearance: Sweet white powder.
Not available.
Target Organs: Skin.

Potential Health Effects
     Eye:
          May cause eye irritation.
     Skin:
          May cause skin irritation.
     Ingestion:
          The toxicological properties of this substance have not been fully
          investigated.
     Inhalation:
          May cause respiratory tract irritation.
     Chronic:
          Repeated exposure may cause sensitization dermatitis.

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

     Eyes:
          Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes,
          occasionally lifting the upper and lower lids. Get medical aid.
     Skin:
          Flush skin with plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes
          while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical aid if
          irritation develops or persists.
     Ingestion:
          Get medical aid. Wash mouth out with water.
     Inhalation:
          Remove from exposure to fresh air immediately. If not breathing,
          give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
     Notes to Physician:
          Treat symptomatically.
          None reported.

                  **** 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.
     Extinguishing Media:
          In case of fire use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or
          chemical foam.
     Autoignition Temperature: Not available.
     Flash Point: Not available.
     NFPA Rating: Not published.
     Explosion Limits, Lower: Not available.
                       Upper: Not available.

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

     General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated
                          in Section 8.
     Spills/Leaks:
          Vacuum or sweep up material and place into a suitable disposal
          container.

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

     Handling:
          Avoid breathing dust, vapor, mist, or gas. Avoid contact with skin
          and eyes.
     Storage:
          Store in a tightly closed container. Store in a dry area.
          Refrigerator (approx 4_C).

          **** 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.

                                 Exposure Limits
+--------------------+-------------------+-------------------+-----------------+
|   Chemical Name    |        ACGIH      |       NIOSH       |OSHA - Final PELs|
|--------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| L-ASPARTYL-L-PHENYL|none listed        |none listed        |none listed      |
| ALANINE METHYL ESTE|                   |                   |                 |
| R,98%              |                   |                   |                 |
+--------------------+-------------------+-------------------+-----------------+

     OSHA Vacated PELs:
          L-ASPARTYL-L-PHENYLALANINE METHYL ESTER,98%:
          No OSHA Vacated PELs are listed for this chemical.

     Personal Protective Equipment

                 Eyes:
                       Wear chemical goggles.
                 Skin:
                       Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin
                       exposure.
             Clothing:
                       Wear a chemical apron.
          Respirators:
                       A NIOSH/MSHA approved air purifying dust or mist
                       respirator.

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

Physical State:             Not available.
Appearance:                 Sweet white powder
Odor:                       Not available.
pH:                         Not available.
Vapor Pressure:             Not available.
Vapor Density:              Not available.
Evaporation Rate:           Not available.
Viscosity:                  Not available.
Boiling Point:              Not available.
Freezing/Melting Point:     248.00 - 250
Decomposition Temperature:  Not available.
Solubility:                 sparingly soluble
Specific Gravity/Density:   Not available.
Molecular Formula:          MISDO
Molecular Weight:           294.30

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

     Chemical Stability:
          Stable under normal temperatures and pressures.
     Conditions to Avoid:
          Not available.
     Incompatibilities with Other Materials:
          Strong oxidizing agents.
     Hazardous Decomposition Products:
          Carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon dioxide.
     Hazardous Polymerization: Not available.

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

     RTECS#:
          CAS# 22839-47-0: WM3407000
     LD50/LC50:
          Not available.
     Carcinogenicity:
       L-ASPARTYL-L-PHENYLALANINE METHYL ESTER,98% -
          Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, NIOSH, NTP, or OSHA.
     Reproductive Effects:
          orl-mus TDLo:4 g/kg (15-18 D preg) orl-gpg TDLo:32500 mg/kg (1-65 D
          preg) orl-wmn TDLo:3710 ¦g/kg

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


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

Dispose of in a manner consistent with federal, state, and local regulations.
RCRA D-Series Maximum Concentration of Contaminants: Not listed.
RCRA D-Series Chronic Toxicity Reference Levels: Not listed.
RCRA F-Series: Not listed.
RCRA P-Series: Not listed.
RCRA U-Series: Not listed.
Not listed as a material banned from land disposal according to RCRA.

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

     US DOT
          No information available
     IMO
          No information available.
     IATA
          No information available.
     RID/ADR
          No information available.
     Canadian TDG
          No information available.

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

A. Federal
     TSCA
          CAS# 22839-47-0 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
          None of the chemicals are listed under TSCA Section 12b.
        TSCA Significant New Use Rule
          None of the chemicals in this material have a SNUR under TSCA.
     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.
        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.
B. State

     Not present on state lists from CA, PA, MN, MA, FL, or NJ.
     California No Significant Risk Level:
     None of the chemicals in this product are listed.
C. International
   Canada
          CAS# 22839-47-0 is listed on Canada's DSL/NDSL List.
          CAS# 22839-47-0 is not listed on Canada's Ingredient Disclosure List.
     European Labeling in Accordance with EC Directives
          Hazard Symbols: Not available.
          Risk Phrases:
          Safety Phrases:
     Exposure Limits:
          OEL-AUSTRALIA:TWA 500 ppm (1185 mg/m3);STEL 1000 ppm. OEL-AUSTRIA:TWA
          750 ppm (1780 mg/m3). OEL-BELGIUM:TWA 750 ppm (1780 mg/m3);STEL 1000 p
          p. OEL-CZECHOSLOVAKIA:TWA 800 mg/m3;STEL 4000 mg/m3. OEL-DENMARK:TWA 2
          50 ppm (600 mg/m3). OEL-FINLAND:TWA 500 ppm (1200 mg/m3);STEL 625 ppm
          (1500 mg/m3). OEL-FRANCE:TWA 750 ppm (1800 mg/m3). OEL-GERMANY:TWA 100
          0 ppm (2400 mg/m3). OEL-HUNGARY:TWA 600 mg/m3;STEL 1200 mg/m3. OEL-IND
          IA:TWA 750 ppm (1780 mg/m3);STEL 1000 ppm (2375 mg/m3). OEL-JAPAN:TWA
          200 ppm (470 mg/m3). OEL-THE NETHERLANDS:TWA 750 ppm (1780 mg/m3) JAN9
          . OEL-THE PHILIPPINES:TWA 1000 ppm (2400 mg/m3). OEL-POLAND:TWA 200 mg
          /m3. OEL-RUSSIA:TWA 200 ppm;STEL 200 mg/m3. OEL-SWEDEN:TWA 250 ppm (60
          0 mg/m3);STEL 500 ppm (1200 mg/m3). OEL-SWITZERLAND:TWA 750 ppm (1780
          mg/m3). OEL-TURKEY:TWA 1000 ppm (2400 mg/m3). OEL-UNITED KINGDOM:TWA 1
          000 ppm (2400 mg/m3);STEL 1250 ppm. OEL IN BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN,
          KOREA check ACGIH TLV. OEL IN NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check A
          CGI TLV

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

     Additional Information:
          No additional information available.
     MSDS Creation Date:  2/28/1995  Revision Date:  7/16/1996

     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 Fisher 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 Fisher has been advised of
     the possibility of such damages.




WEBmaster COMMENTS!!!!

"Decomposition Temperature: Not available." (YES available! Anything above freezing?

"Hazardous Decomposition Products:" = Methanol, Formaldehyde and DKP (tumor agent)

Aspartame Breakdown components

Now... for the BREAKDOWN components of aspartame (perhaps NOT a complete list!)

L-Aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester, 98%, aspartame CAS #22839-47-0
(a.k.a. Equal, NutraSweet, Spoonful, Benevia, Equal Measure, etc.) is
composed of (at least) three things:

  1.) aspartic acid, (around 40%)     CAS # 56-84-8
  2.) phenylalanine, (around 50%)     CAS # 63-91-2
  3.) methanol (wood alcohol) (10%)   CAS # 67-56-1

  This page has aspartame listed with a formula of: C14H18N2O5 (item 553
of 610) and if any interested party has the "CHIME" 3D molecule viewer the
aspartame MDL can be viewed at:

    http://www.sci.ouc.bc.ca/chem/molecule/pdb/aspartam.pdb

    In addition, DORway has a "CHIME" page with lots of good information at:

    http://www.dorway.com/chime.html

   (NOTE: For those who use Netscape Navigator 3.1 or better, and who would
like to view molecules in 3D and "stereo", in several formats, with the
ability to rotate them to any angle... get and install the plug-in from:

           http://www.mdli.com/chemscape/chime/chime.html

  (two dimensional representation)

                  O                O
                  ||               ||
     NH3 -- CH -- C -- NH -- CH -- C -- OCH3
            |                |
            CH2              CH2
            |                |
            C=O              C
            |              // \
            O            HC    CH
                         |     |
                         HC    CH
                           \\ /
                             C
                             H

The phenylalanine breaks down into diketopiperazine (DKP), a known tumor agent,
and it is the reason for the FDA mandated "PHENYLKETONURICS: Contains
phenylalanine" (PKU) warning label.  Diketopiperazine was also the major
empediment to approval noted in the Searle "Helling" memo 
(http://www.dorway.com/secrets.html).

The methanol (with no natural antidote of Ethanol) breaks down in-solution
(diet coke, whatever) into formaldehyde.  The human liver also breaks down
free methanol from any solution into formaldehyde.  The body has difficulty
eliminating formaldehyde so it combines some of it with water and stores it
in the fat (and this is called "weight gain").  What is not stored in the
fat is further converted to formic acid (same thing as ant sting poison).

   So, with each swig EACH user gets a micro-dose of three poisons, two of
which (formaldehyde and formic acid) are known carcinogens... along with
that side-order of DKP, the tumor agent.  A science report done on a case of
diet cokes, that were evaluated by a reputable food laboratory, proved the
methanol -> formaldehyde conversions, even in the unopened container
cooling off in the refrigerator, and the phenylalanine to DKP conversion.
http://www.dorway.com/jcohen.html#refrig  The damage/problems caused by the
use of aspartame are noted in the FDA's own compiled list of 92 symptoms of
aspartame poisoning http://www.dorway.com/badnews.html#symptoms.

   A fairly complete list of aspartame breakdown components from the
aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol is as follows:

Formaldehyde (embalming fluid)  CAS # 50-00-0 CH2O
Formic Acid  (ant poison)       CAS # 64-18-6 CH2O2
Beta Aspartame              **
Aspartylphenylalanine       **
Aspartylphenylalanine amide **

Tyrosine                    CAS # 60-18-4 C9H11NO3
L-Dopa                      **
Dopamine                    **
Norepinephrine              **
Epinephrine                 **
Phenylethylamine            CAS # 64-04-0
Phenylpyruvate              **
Phenylactic acid            **
Phenylacetic acid           CAS # 103-82-2
Diketopiperazine (DKP)      CAS # 106-57-0

   ** (No page for item at: http://webbook.nist.gov/)
   cas = Chemical Abstracts Service, registry number
   More information available at: http://chemfinder.camsoft.com/

   Most of these 91 symptoms are noted on the
http://www.dorway.com/badnews.html page.

 Perhaps the phrase that best applies is that "ASPARTAME is a Pandora's
box of chameleon-like toxins and tumor agents that have 92 FDA acknowledged
ways to ruin your life, death being one of them".

OK! Now check out some of those breakdown componets!

-------------- METHYL ALCOHOL 67-56-1 Methanol -------- FORMALDEHYDE, 37% SOLUTION 50-00-0 syn. FORMALIN Formaldehyde -------------- METHYL FORMATE 107-31-3 syn. FORMIC ACID, METHYL ESTER Formic Acid
--------------
(Oh... and as yet we have not looked into DkP
(diketopiperazine) the tumor agent!)