NOAEL Data REACH Registered Cosmetic Ingredient

Potassium metabisulfite

Also known as: Sulfite, potassium metabi-, Potassium disulfite (K2S2O5), Potassium metabisulfite (K2S2O5), Potassium pyrosulfite (K2S2O5), EINECS 240-795-3 (+1 more)

CAS 16731-55-8

Potassium metabisulfite (CAS 16731-55-8) is a chemical substance. Key regulatory status: REACH registered, 3 regulatory/inventory lists, cosmetic ingredient cross-reference; source data from EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, AICIS, ECHA REACH, ILO ICSC.

View cosmetic safety profile for Potassium Metabisulfite →

Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence

Potassium metabisulfite is classified GHS Danger (H315, H318, H335, H302) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics.

SOURCE Cross-vertical comparison Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code

SOURCE noael studies public

NOAEL studies

SOURCE chemical inventory jurisdictions

Regulatory lists

SOURCE eu clp annex vi

GHS signal

Not classified

Chemical Identity

CAS, identifiers, formula, and alternate names for the matched substance record.

SOURCE DSSTox identifiers 12 fields

Name

Potassium metabisulfite

CAS Number

16731-55-8

DTXSID

DTXSID1021293

Molecular Formula

2K.H2O5S2

InChI Key

RWPGFSMJFRPDDP-UHFFFAOYSA-L

Monoisotopic Mass

223.861778

Synonyms

Sulfite, potassium metabi-Potassium disulfite (K2S2O5)Potassium metabisulfite (K2S2O5)Potassium pyrosulfite (K2S2O5)EINECS 240-795-3UNII-65OE787Q7W

ICSC Chemical Safety

International Chemical Safety Card hazard and exposure summary.

SOURCE ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards 1 records

Field	Value
GHS Signal Word	DANGER
GHS Hazard Statements	Causes serious eye damage
Short-term Effects	The substance is corrosive to the eyes. The substance is irritating to the skin, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. Exposure could cause asthma-like reactions or urticaria in sensitive persons.
Long-term Effects	Repeated or prolonged inhalation may cause asthma-like symptoms. The substance may have effects on the skin.
Routes of Exposure	The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion.

Functional Uses

Industrial and product-use categories associated with this substance.

SOURCE EPA CPDat 15 records

PreservativeReducing agentHair waving or straighteningFragranceBiocideAntioxidantDyeFillerFood preservativeOxidizing agent

Regulatory Lists

Inventory, screening, and regulatory list matches from public chemical databases.

SOURCE EPA CPDat 3 records

List	Keyword	Source
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides	Commission of the European Communities	CPCat
IFRA Transparency	IFRA	IFRA
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)	FDA	United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

NOAEL Studies

Toxicology endpoints rendered from public NOAEL study rows.

SOURCE NOAEL studies Showing 5 of 5 studies

Value	Unit	Endpoint	Route	Species	Source
=263	mg/m3	DNEL systemic	inhalation	Human	ToxValDB_GESTIS_DNEL
65OE787Q7W	UNII	FDA UNII substance identifier	-	-	openFDA substances
65OE787Q7W	UNII	FDA UNII substance identifier	-	-	openFDA substances
65OE787Q7W	UNII	FDA UNII substance identifier	-	-	openFDA substances
65OE787Q7W	UNII	FDA UNII substance identifier	-	-	openFDA substances

Showing 5 of 5 studies

REACH Registration

Registration status from the ECHA REACH registered substances database.

SOURCE ECHA (EU) 1 records

Status	Name	EC Number	Link
Registered	Dipotassium disulphite	240-795-3	ECHA overview →

Australian Status (AICIS)

Australian industrial chemicals inventory status and applicable conditions.

SOURCE AICIS inventory 1 records

Inventory Status

listed

Cosmetic Safety Profile

Same-CAS cosmetic ingredient record for cross-vertical context.

SOURCE CosIng / Ingredients DB

EU Status

restricted

Max

Pharmaceutical Data

Same-CAS pharmaceutical records from drug and bioactivity sources.

SOURCE EMBL-EBI ChEMBL POTASSIUM METABISULFITE

ChEMBL Phase

-1

Adverse Events

Bioactivity

View full pharmaceutical profile →

Cannabis Data

Same-CAS cannabis compliance and lab records where available.

SOURCE Cannabis regulatory / lab data efsa substances

1 cannabis record found in efsa substances.

View full cannabis profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NOAEL for Potassium metabisulfite?

Potassium metabisulfite has 5 NOAEL studies in the database. The lowest reported value is 263 mg/m3 via inhalation in Human. Source: ToxValDB_GESTIS_DNEL.

What regulatory lists include Potassium metabisulfite?

Potassium metabisulfite appears on 3 regulatory/inventory lists including active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides, IFRA Transparency, food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019). Source: EPA CPDat.

Is Potassium metabisulfite used in cosmetics?

Yes, Potassium metabisulfite is also indexed as a cosmetic ingredient under the name Potassium Metabisulfite. View the full cosmetic safety profile on the ingredient page for detailed safety data, SCCS opinions, and regulatory status.

Where does the safety data for Potassium metabisulfite come from?

Safety data is sourced from EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, AICIS (Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme), EPA DSSTox, ECHA REACH, ILO/WHO ICSC, CosIng / Ingredients DB, ChEMBL / DailyMed, cannabis regulatory/lab databases. All data traces to primary regulatory sources and is updated from official government databases.

Does Potassium metabisulfite have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?

Potassium metabisulfite is classified GHS Danger (H315, H318, H335, H302) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics.

Is Potassium metabisulfite used outside industrial chemicals?

Potassium metabisulfite also appears in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, cannabis databases.