Common Name: Ethylene Glycol
CAS Number: 107-21-1
DOT Number: None
Date: February, 1989
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Ethylene Glycol can affect you when breathed in and by passing
through your skin. Absorption by the body is higher if
Ethylene Glycol is heated or sprayed.
* Ethylene Glycol should be handled as a TERATOGEN--WITH EXTREME
CAUTION.
* Exposure can cause a "drunk" feeling, nausea, vomiting, and
headache. Higher exposures can cause kidney damage and death.
* Exposure can cause kidney and liver damage even without other
symptoms.
* Ethylene Glycol can cause an allergic skin rash.
IDENTIFICATION
Ethylene Glycol is a colorless, odorless, syrupy liquid. It is
used as an anti-freeze in heating and cooling systems, to de-ice
aircraft wings, as an industrial solvent, and in paint and
plastics.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Ethylene Glycol is on the Hazardous Substance List because it
is cited by ACGIH, NFPA, DOT 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 workrelated health
problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
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WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 50
ppm not to be exceeded at any time. (Final Rule January
1989).
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 50 ppm, which
should not be exceeded at any time.
* 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 immediately after exposure to Ethylene Glycol
and at the end of the workshift.
* 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 Ethylene Glycol 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.
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HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Ethylene Glycol:
* Exposure can cause a "drunk" feeling, nausea, vomiting, and
headache. Higher exposures can cause kidney damage and death.
* Ethylene Glycol can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Ethylene Glycol and can last for months or
years:
Cancer Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Ethylene Glycol has been tested
and has not been shown to cause cancer in animals.
Reproductive Hazard
* Ethylene Glycol may be a teratogen in humans since it has been
shown to be a teratogen in animals.
* Ethylene Glycol may damage the developing fetus.
Other Long-Term Effects
* Repeated or high exposures may cause kidney damage and/or
stones. Brain damage may also occur.
* Skin allergy can develop. If this happens, even small future
exposures can cause a rash.
Medical Testing
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may
be useful:
* Kidney function test.
* Urine oxalate level.
* Exam of nervous system.
* Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful
exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin
allergy.
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 control is recommended:
* Where possible, automatically pump liquid Ethylene Glycol from
drums or other storage containers to process containers.
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The
following work practices are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Ethylene
Glycol should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Ethylene
Glycol.
* On skin contact with Ethylene Glycol, immediately wash or
shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift,
wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Ethylene
Glycol, whether or not known skin contact has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Ethylene Glycol 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 Ethylene Glycol. Wear protective
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 and face shield when
working with liquid Ethylene Glycol, unless full facepiece
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.
* Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure
to Ethylene Glycol does not occur.
* Where the potential for high exposures exists, 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 ap proved self-contained breathing
apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or
other positive pressure mode.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
* Prior to working with Ethylene Glycol you should be trained on
its proper handling and storage.
* Ethylene Glycol must be stored to avoid contact with SULFURIC
ACID since violent reactions occur.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
area away from OXIDIZERS such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES,
PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES and NITRATES.
Common Name: Ethylene Glycol
DOT Number: None
DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation
CAS Number: 107-21-1
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Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA
FLAMMABILITY - 1
REACTIVITY - 0
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POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE
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Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* Ethylene Glycol is a combustible liquid.
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE.
* CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
* Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or alcohol foam
extinguishers.
* Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
* Significantly higher concentrations of Ethylene Glycol vapor
are reached when heated. Appropriate care should be taken.
* Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Ethylene Glycol 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.
* Keep Ethylene Glycol 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 Ethylene Glycol
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 soap and 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: 0.06 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
Flash Point: 232oF (111oC)
Water Solubility: Miscible
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
Chemical Name:
1,2-Ethanediol
Other Names and Formulations:
Glycol Alcohol; Glycol; Fridex.
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Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes.
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NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Right to Know Program
CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
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ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ethylene glycol is an odorless, colorless, high boiling temperature
liquid which markedly reduces the freezing point of water. Major
uses are as a non-volatile antifreeze for liquid-cooled engines,
and in the manufacture of polyester fiber and film. Minor
applications are in latex coatings and paints, as a heat-transfer
fluid, in aircraft and runway deicing mixtures, as a dehydrating or
drying agent in natural gas, as a solvent, and as an additive in
motor oil, inks, pesticides, wood stains, and adhesives. It may
enter the environment from industrial discharges, municipal waste
treatment plant discharges, agricultural runoff or disposal, 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.
Ethylene glycol has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. It has
caused chromosomal damage to agricultural crops. Insufficient data
are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of
ethylene glycol to 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.
Ethylene glycol has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-
term effects of ethylene glycol to plants, birds, or land animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Ethylene glycol 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
Ethylene glycol 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. Virtually 100% of ethylene glycol will end up in water.
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 ethylene glycol found in fish tissues is
expected to be about the same as the average concentration of
ethylene glycol in the water from which the fish was taken.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA,
Phytotox.
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