Material Safety Data Sheet
1. Product and Company Identification
: Ethylene Oxide
Product name
Chemical formula : C2H4O
Synonyms : Oxirane; Dihyrooxirene; Dimethylene oxide; Epoxyethane; 1,2-Epoxyethane;
Ethene oxide; ETO; EO; Oxacyclopropane; Oxane; Oxidoethane; Alpha,Beta-
Oxidoethane; Oxiran; UN 1040
Company : Specialty Gases of America, Inc
6055 Brent Dr.
Toledo, OH 43611
Telephone : 419-729-7732
Emergency : 800-424-9300
2. Composition/Information on Ingredients
Components CAS Number % Volume
Ethylene Oxide 75-21-8 99.7%
Water 7732-18-5 < 0.1%
Acetaldehyde 75-07-0 < 0.1%
Acetic Acid 64-19-7 < 0.1%
Component Related Regulatory Information
This product may be regulated, have exposure limits or other information identified as the following: Carbon
dioxide and ethylene oxide mixtures (8070-50-6).
3. Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
Flammable gas. May cause flash fire. May explode when heated.
Harmful if inhaled or swallowed, skin burns, eye burns, respiratory tract irritation, central nervous system
depression, allergic reactions, cancer hazard (in humans).
Potential Health Effects
Inhalation : Irritation, lack of sense of smell, tearing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty
breathing, irregular heartbeat, headache, drowsiness, symptoms of
drunkenness, disorientation, bluish skin color, lung congestion, lung damage,
kidney damage, paralysis, reproductive effects, convulsions. May cause cancer
in long term exposure.
Eye contact : Irritation (possibly severe), frostbite, tearing.
Skin contact : Irritation (possibly severe), allergic reactions, blisters.
Ingestion : Irritation (possibly severe), sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach
pain, chest pain, headache, drowsiness, symptoms of drunkenness, bluish skin
color. May cause lung damage, cancer in long term exposure.
Chronic Health : None.
Hazard
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4. First Aid Measures
General advice : None.
Eye contact : Immediately wash eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting upper
and lower lids, until no evidence of chemical remains. Get medical attention
immediately.
Skin contact : If frostbite occurs, immediately flush with plenty of lukewarm water (105-115癋;
41-46癈). DO NOT USE HOT WATER. If warm water is not available, gently
wrap affected parts in blankets. Get immediate medical attention.
Ingestion : Contact local poison control center or physician immediately. Never make an
unconscious person vomit or drink fluids. When vomiting occurs, keep head
lower than hips to prevent aspiration. If person in unconscious, turn head to
side. Get medical attention immediately.
Inhalation : If adverse effects occur, remove to uncontaminated area. Give artificial
respiration if not breathing. If breathing is difficult, oxygen should be
administered by qualified personnel. Get immediate medical attention.
Note to physicians : For inhalation, consider oxygen.
For ingestion, consider gastric lavage and activated charcoal slurry.
5. Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable : Carbon dioxide, regular dry chemical, water, alcohol-resistant foam.
extinguishing media Large fires: Use alcohol-resistant foam or flood with fine water spray.
Specific hazards : Severe fire hazard. The vapor is heavier than air. Vapors or gases may ignite at
distant ignition sources and flash back. Vapor/air mixtures are explosive.
Fire fighting : Let burn unless leak can be stopped immediately. Move container from fire area
if it can be done without risk. Fight large fires from a protected location or safe
distance. Stay away from the ends of tanks. For fires in cargo or storage area:
Cool containers from unmanned hose holder or monitor nozzle until well after
the fire is out. If this is impossible then take the following precautions: Keep
unnecessary people away, isolate hazard area and deny entry. Let the fire burn.
Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety device or any
discoloration of tanks due to fire. For tank, rail car or tank truck: Evacuation
radius: 1600 meters (1 mile). Do not attempt to extinguish fire unless flow of
material can be stopped first. Flood with fine water spray. Do not scatter spilled
material with high-pressure water streams. Apply water from a protected
location or from a safe distance. Cool containers with water spray until well after
the fire is out. Avoid inhalation of material or combustion by-products. Stay
upwind and keep out of low areas. Evacuate if fire gets out of control or
containers are directly exposed to fire. Evacuation radius: 1600 meters (1 mile).
Water may be ineffective.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Water release : Subject to California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986
(Proposition 65). Keep out of water supplies and sewers.
Occupational : Avoid heat, flames, sparks and other sources of ignition. Stop leak if possible
spill/release without personal risk. Do not get water inside container. Small spills: Flood with
water. Large spills: Dike for later disposal. Remove sources of ignition. Keep
unnecessary people away, isolate hazard area and deny entry. Notify Local
Emergency Planning Committee and State Emergency Response Commission
for release greater than or equal to RQ (U.S. SARA Section 304). If release
occurs in the U.S. and is reportable under CERCLA Section 103, notify the
National Response Center at (800)424-8802 (USA) or (202)426-2675 (USA).
Additional advice : None.
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7. Handling and Storage
Handling
Secure cylinder when using to protect from falling. Use suitable hand truck to move cylinders.
Storage
Store in accordance with all current regulations and standards. Keep separated from incompatible
substances. Subject to storage regulations: U.S. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106. Protect from physical damage.
Avoid contact with light. Store in a cool, dry place. Use diking sufficient to contain total contents plus 10%.
Store with flammable liquids. Grounding and bonding required. Notify State Emergency Response
Commission for storage or use at amounts greater than or equal to the TPQ (U.S. EPA SARA Section 302).
SARA Section 303 requires facilities storing a material with a TPQ to participate in local emergency
response planning (U.S. EPA 40 CFR 355 Part B).
8. Exposure Controls / Personal Protection
Exposure limits
ETHYLENE OXIDE (75-21-8)
ACGIH : 1 ppm TWA
OSHA (final) : 5 ppm STEL (see 29 CFR 1910.1047)
1 ppm TWA
NIOSH : 0.1 ppm TWA less than stated value; 0.18 mg/m3 TWA less than stated value
5 ppm Ceiling 10 min/day; 9 mg/m3 Ceiling 10 min/day
ACETALDEHYDE (75-07-0)
ACGIH : 25 ppm Ceiling
OSHA (final) : 200 ppm TWA; 360 mg/m3 TWA
OSHA (vacated) : 100 ppm STEL; 270 mg/m3 STEL
100 ppm TWA; 180 mg/m3 TWA
ACETIC ACID (64-19-7)
ACGIH : 10 ppm TWA
15 ppm STEL
OSHA (final) : 10 ppm TWA; 25 mg/m3 TWA
OSHA (vacated) : 10 ppm TWA; 25 mg/m3 TWA
NIOSH : 15 ppm STEL; 37 mg/m3 STEL
10 ppm TWA; 25 mg/m3 TWA
IDLH
800 ppm
Engineering measures/Ventilation
Provide local exhaust or process enclosure ventilation system. Ensure compliance with applicable exposure
limits.
Personal protective equipment
Respiratory : The following respirators and maximum use concentrations are drawn from
protection NIOSH and/or OSHA.
OSHA standard:
Respirator selection should comply with 29 CFR 1910.134, 29 CFR 1910.1047,
and the final rule published in the Federal Register on August 24, 2006.
NIOSH recommendations:
5 ppm ?Any air-purifying full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style,
front-mounted or back-mounted canister providing protection against the
compound of concern.
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End of service life indicator required (ESLI).
Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece.
Emergency or unplanned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions
?Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is
operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.
Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece that is operated in a pressure-
demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-
contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand or other positive-
pressure mode.
Escape ?Any air-purifying full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style,
front-mounted or back-mounted canister providing protection against the
compound of concern.
End of service life indicator required (ESLI).
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus.
Hand protection : For the gas: Wear appropriate chemical resistant gloves. For the liquid: Wear
insulated gloves. OSHA REGULATED SUBSTANCES: U.S. OSHA 29 CFR
1910.1047.
Eye protection : Wear splash resistant safety goggles. Provide an emergency eye wash fountain
and quick drench shower in the immediate work area.
Skin and body : For the gas: Wear appropriate chemical resistant clothing. For the liquid: Wear
protection appropriate protective, cold insulating clothing. Wear appropriate chemical
resistant clothing.
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Form : Gas.
Color : Colorless.
Odor : Sweet odor.
Molecular weight : 44.06
Vapor pressure : 1095 mmHg @ 20癈
Vapor density : 1.5 (air = 1)
Boiling point : 13癈
Melting point -111癈
Water solubility : Soluble
Specific gravity : 0.8824 @ 10癈
Solvent solubility : Soluble: alcohol, ether, acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, organic
solvents.
10. Stability and Reactivity
Stability : May decompose explosively when heated above 427癈.
Conditions to avoid : Avoid heat, flames, sparks or other sources of ignition. Containers may rupture
or explode if exposed to heat.
Materials to avoid : Acids, combustible materials, bases, metal salts, metal oxides, amines, halo
carbons, metals, cyanides, oxidizing materials.
Hazardous : Thermal decomposition products: oxides of carbon.
decomposition
products
11. Toxicological Information
The components of this material have been reviewed in various sources and the following endpoints are
published:
ETHYLENE OXIDE : Oral LD50 Rat: 72 mg/kg
(75-21-8)
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ACETALDEHYDE : Oral LD50 Rat: 1930 mg/kg
(75-07-0)
ACETIC ACID (64- : Inhalation LC50 Rat: 11.4 mg/L/4H; Oral LD50 Rat: 3310 mg/kg; Dermal LD50
19-7) Rabbit: 1060 mg/kg
WATER (7732-18-5) : Oral LD50 Rat: > 90 mL/kg
Acute Toxicity Level
ETHYLENE OXIDE : Toxic: Inhalation, ingestion.
(75-21-8)
ACETALDEHYDE : Moderately toxic: Inhalation, ingestion.
(75-07-0) Slightly toxic: Dermal absorption.
ACETIC ACID (64- : Toxic: Inhalation.
19-7) Moderately toxic: dermal absorption, ingestion.
Component Carcinogenicity
ETHYLENE OXIDE (75-21-8)
ACGIH : A2 ?Suspected Human Carcinogen.
IARC : Monograph 97 [2008]; Monograph 60 [1994] (Group 1 (carcinogenic to
humans))
DFG : Category 2 (considered to be carcinogenic for man)
Present
Known Human Carcinogen
ACETALDEHYDE (75-07-0)
ACGIH : A3 ?Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans.
IARC : Monograph 71 [1999]; Supplement 7 [1987]; Monograph 35 [1985] (Group 2B
(possibly carcinogenic to humans))
DFG : Category 5 (low carcinogenic potency)
Present
Reasonably Anticipated To Be A Human Carcinogen
Local Effects
ETHYLENE OXIDE : Irritant: Inhalation.
(75-21-8) Corrosive: Skin, eye.
ACETALDEHYDE : Irritant: Inhalation, skin, eye.
(75-07-0)
ACETIC ACID (64- : Corrosive: Skin, eye, inhalation, ingestion.
19-7)
Target Organs
ETHYLENE OXIDE : Immune system (sensitizer), central nervous system.
(75-21-8)
ACETALDEHYDE : Immune system (sensitizer), central nervous system.
(75-07-0)
Additional Data
Alcohol may enhance the toxic effects.
12. Ecological Information
Aquatic Toxicity
ETHYLENE OXIDE : Fish: 96 Hr LC50 Pimephales promelas: 73 ?96 mg/L
(75-21-8) Invertebrate: 48 Hr LC50 Daphnia magna: 137 ?300 mg/L
ACETALDEHYDE : Fish: 96 Hr LC50 Pimephales promelas: 28.0 ?34.0 mg/L [flow-through]; 96 Hr
(75-07-0) LC50 Lepomis macrochirus: 53 mg/L [static]; 96 Hr LC50 Oncorhynchus mykiss:
1.8 ?2.4 mg/L [static]; Fish: 96 Hr LC50 Pimephales promelas: 39.8 ?46.8
mg/L [static]
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Algae: 120 Hr EC50 Nitzschia linearis: 237 ?249 mg/L
Invertebrate: 48 Hr EC50 Daphnia magna: 3.64 ?6.15 mg/L [static]; 48 Hr EC50
Daphnia magna: 48.3 mg/L
ACETIC ACID (64- : Fish: 96 Hr LC50 Pimephales promelas: 79 mg/L [static]; 96 Hr LC50 Lepomis
19-7) macrochirus: 75 mg/L [static]
Invertebrate: 48 Hr EC50 Daphnia magna: 47 mg/L; 48 Hr EC50 Daphnia
magna: 65 mg/L [static]
13. Disposal Considerations
Waste from residues : Dispose in accordance with all applicable regulations. Subject to disposal
/ unused products regulations: U.S. EPA 40 CFR 262. Hazardous Waste Number(s): U115.
Contaminated : Return cylinder to supplier.
packaging
Component Waste : ETHYLENE OXIDE (75-21-8)
Numbers RCRA: waste_number U115 (Ignitable waste, Toxic waste0
ACETALDEHYDE (75-07-0)
RCRA: waste_number U001 (Ignitable waste)
14. Transport Information
DOT (US only)
Proper shipping : Ethylene Oxide
name
Class : 2.3
UN/ID No. : UN1040
Labeling : Poison Gas, Flammable Gas
Additional Info : Toxic-Inhalation Hazard Zone D
15. Regulatory Information
U.S. Federal Regulations
This material contains one or more of the following chemicals required under SARA Section 302/304 (40
CFR 355 Appendix A), SARA Section 313 (40 CFR 372.65), CERCLA (40 CFR 302.4), TSCA 12(b), and/or
require an OSHA process safety plan.
ETHYLENE OXIDE : SARA 302: 1000 lb TPQ
(75-21-8) 10 lb final RQ; 4.54 kg final RQ
SARA 313: 0.1% de minimis concentration
CERCLA: 10 lb final RQ; 4.54 kg final RQ
OSHA (safety): 5000 lb TQ
ACETALDEHYDE : 1000 lb final RQ; 454 kg final RQ
(75-07-0) SARA 313: 0.1% de minimis concentration
CERCLA: 1000 lb final RQ; 454 kg final RQ
OSHA (safety): 2500 lb TQ
ACETIC ACID (64- : 5000 lb final RQ; 2270 kg final RQ
19-7) CERCLA: 5000 lb final RQ; 2270 kg final RQ
SARA 311/312
Acute: Yes
Chronic: Yes
Fire: Yes
Reactive: Yes
Pressure: Yes
U.S. State Regulations
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The following components appear on one or more of the following state hazardous substances lists:
Component CAS CA MA MN NJ PA RI
ETHYLENE OXIDE 75-21-8 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
ACETALDEHYDE 75-07-0 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
ACETIC ACID 64-19-7 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
The following statement(s) are provided under the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement
Act of 1986 (Proposition 65).
WARNING! This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer.
WARNING! This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause
reproductive/developmental effects.
16. Other Information
Prepared by : Specialty Gases of America, Inc.
For additional information, please visit our website at www.americangasgroup.com.
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