Magnesium Stearate

Magnesium stearate is used to make large scale production of tablets and capsule of dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals possible. Because magnesium stearate has a high melting point (88 °C) it is used as a lubricant to prevent ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment during the compression of chemical powders into solid tablets. This chemical excipient is produced through reacting sodium stearate with magnesium sulfate, in a way similar to the production of other hydrogenated oils.

Human Toxicity Excerpts:
/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ ...DEATHS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ACCIDENTAL INHALATION OF THE /BABY DUSTING/ POWDER, /CONTAINING MAGNESIUM STEARATE/.
[Osol, A. and J.E. Hoover, et al. (eds.). Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. 15th ed. Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack Publishing Co., 1975., p. 713] **PEER REVIEWED**

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ Slightly toxic by ingestion.
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 2082] **PEER REVIEWED**

Hazardous Decomposition:
When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and toxic fumes.
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 2082] **PEER REVIEWED**

Other Hazardous Reaction:
Spontaneously combustible.
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 2082] **PEER REVIEWED**

Source for the above cited materials: Toxnet: Toxicology Data Network