Common Name: 2-Ethoxyethanol
CAS Number: 110-80-5
DOT Number: UN 1171
Date: February, 1989
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* 2-Ethoxyethanol can affect you when breathed in and by passing
through your skin.
* 2-Ethoxyethanol should be handled as a teratogen--with extreme
caution.
* It may damage the testes, resulting in decreased fertility.
* Exposure may affect blood cells causing a low blood count
(anemia).
* It can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. High levels may
cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and to pass out.
* 2-Ethoxyethanol may damage the kidneys.
IDENTIFICATION
2-Ethoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a mild, sweetish odor.
It is widely used as a solvent and as an anti-icing additive in
brake fluids and aviation and automobile fuels.
REASON FOR CITATION
* 2-Ethoxyethanol is on the Hazardous Substance List because it
is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, NFPA and
EPA.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED
* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air
samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your
employer. You have a legal right to this information under
OSHA 1910.20.
* If you think you are experiencing any work-related health
problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
* ODOR THRESHOLD = 2.7 ppm.
* The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not
smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
200 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work-shift.
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 ppm averaged
over an 8-hour workshift.
* 2-Ethoxyethanol may be a teratogen in humans. All contact with
this chemical should be reduced to the lowest possible level.
* The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin
contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air
levels are less than the limits listed above.
WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
* Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust
ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust
ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be
worn.
* Wear protective work clothing.
* Wash thoroughly at the end of the work-shift.
* Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort,
communicate all information on the health and safety hazards
of 2-Ethoxyethanol to potentially exposed workers.
This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential
and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure.
Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other
factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential
effects described below.
------------------------------------------
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to 2-Ethoxyethanol:
* Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Very high
levels may cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and to pass
out.
* Contact can irritate the eyes and skin.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to 2-Ethoxyethanol and can last for months or
years:
Cancer Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, 2-Ethoxyethanol has not been
tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals.
Reproductive Hazard
* 2-Ethoxyethanol has been shown to be a teratogen in animals,
and is a possible teratogen in humans.
* 2-Ethoxyethanol may damage the testes (male reproductive
glands) and decrease fertility in males.
Other Long-Term Effects
* Exposure may damage blood cells, causing a low blood count
(anemia).
* 2-Ethoxyethanol may damage the kidneys.
Medical Testing
For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV
or greater, or significant skin contact), the following are
recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that:
* Complete blood count.
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may
be useful:
* Kidney function tests.
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present
symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already
done are not a substitute for controlling exposure.
Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to
this information under OSHA 1910.20.
WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of
reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations
and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical
release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using
respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the
controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary.
In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1)
how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is
released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye
contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for
highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing
exposures are possible.
In addition, the following controls are recommended:
* Where possible, automatically pump liquid 2-Ethoxyethanol from
drums or other storage containers to process containers.
* Specific engineering controls are recommended for this
chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: 2-
Ethoxyethanol #83-112.
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The
following work practices are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by 2-
Ethoxyethanol should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members
could be exposed.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to 2-
Ethoxyethanol.
* Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted 2-
Ethoxyethanol at the end of each workday, whether or not known
skin contact has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where 2-Ethoxyethanol is handled,
processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed.
Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry,
jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace
controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be
appropriate.
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply
to every situation.
Clothing
* Avoid skin contact with 2-Ethoxyethanol. Wear solvent-
resistant gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/
manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most
protective glove/ clothing material for your operation.
* All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
should be clean, available each day, and put on before work.
Eye Protection
* Wear splash-proof chemical goggles when working with liquid 2-
Ethoxyethanol, unless full face-piece respiratory protection
is worn.
Respiratory Protection
IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should
only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into
account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training,
respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA
1910.134.
* Where the potential exists for exposures over 5 ppm, use a
MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full
facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a
full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode,
or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing
apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or
other positive pressure mode.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
* Prior to working with 2-Ethoxyethanol you should be trained on
its proper handling and storage.
* 2-Ethoxyethanol must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG
OXIDIZERS (such as NITRATES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE
and FLUORINE) since violent reactions occur.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
area away from HEAT.
* Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are
prohibited where 2-Ethoxyethanol is used, handled, or stored
in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion
hazard.
Common Name: 2-Ethoxyethanol
DOT Number: UN 1171
DOT Emergency Guide code: 26
CAS Number: 110-80-5
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Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA
FLAMMABILITY - 2
REACTIVITY - 0
----------------------------------------
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE
----------------------------------------
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* 2-Ethoxyethanol is a combustible liquid.
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE.
* CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
* The vapor is heavier than air and may travel a distance to
cause a fire or explosion far from the source.
* Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam extinguishers.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If 2-Ethoxyethanol is spilled or leaked, take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill or leak until clean-up is complete.
* Remove all ignition sources.
* Ventilate area of spill or leak.
* Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar
material and deposit in sealed containers.
* Keep 2-Ethoxyethanol out of a confined space, such as a sewer,
because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer
is designed to prevent the build-up of explosive
concentrations.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of 2-Ethoxyethanol
as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the
federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific
recommendations.
==========================================
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
==========================================
FIRST AID
Eye Contact
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15
minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids.
Skin Contact
* Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash
contaminated skin with large amounts of water.
Breathing
* Remove the person from exposure.
* Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if
heart action has stopped.
* Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
PHYSICAL DATA
Vapor Pressure: 4 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
Flash Point: 120oF (48.9oC)
Water Solubility: Miscible
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
Chemical Name:
Ethanol, 2-Ethoxy-
Other Names and Formulations:
Cellosolve; Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether; Dowanol EE.
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Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes.
------------------------------------------
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Right to Know Program
CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
------------------------------------------
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ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
2-Ethoxyethanol is a liquid used as a solvent, diluent, and fuel
additive. It may enter the environment from industrial discharges
or spills.
ACUTE (SHORT TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or
fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are
seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with
a toxic chemical substance.
2-Ethoxyethanol has slight acute toxicity to aquatic life.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-
term effects of 2-Ethoxyethanol to plants, birds, or land animals.
CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive
problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior.
Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a
toxic chemical.
2-Ethoxyethanol is has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-
term effects of 2-Ethoxyethanol to plants, birds, or land animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
2-Ethoxyethanol is highly soluble in water. Concentrations of
1,000 milligrams and more will mix with a liter of water.
DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
2-Ethoxyethanol is slightly persistent in water, with a half-life
of between 2 to 20 days. The half life of a pollutant is the
amount of time it takes for one half of the chemical to be
degraded. About 95% of this chemical will eventually end up in
water; the rest will end up in the air.
BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS
Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in
living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink
contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can
become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals
and humans.
The concentration of 2-Ethoxyethanol found in fish tissues is
expected to be about the same as the average concentration of 2-
Ethoxyethanol in the water from which the fish was taken.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL, Duluth, U.S.EPA,
Phytotox.
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