ISO9001:2000 Certified

Material Safety Data Sheet

Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether
Section 1 - Chemical Product and Company Identification
MSDS Name:
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether
Catalog Numbers:
LC14160
Synonyms:
Cellosolve(R); Ethylene glycol ethyl ether; 2-Ethoxyethanol; Oxitol; EGEE; 2-EE
Company Identification:
LabChem, Inc.
200 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Company Phone Number:
(412) 826-5230
Emergency Phone Number:
(800) 424-9300
CHEMTREC Phone Number:
(800) 424-9300

Section 2 - Composition, Information on Ingredients

CAS#
110-80-5

Chemical Name:
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether

Percent
100

Section 3 - Hazards Identification

Emergency Overview

Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid

Warning! Flammable liquid and vapor. May cause harm to the unborn child. May cause harmful
reproductive effects in men. Causes eye irritation. May be harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or
absorbed through the skin. This material has been reported to be susceptible to autoxidation and
therefore should be classified as peroxidizable. May form explosive peroxides. May cause central
nervous system depression.
Target Organs: Blood, kidneys, central nervous system, liver, male reproductive system.

Potential Health Effects

Eye:
Causes eye irritation. Caused moderate eye irritation in a standard Draize test.
Skin:
May cause mild skin irritation. Prolonged or repeated contact may cause irritation or dermatitis.
Readily absorbed through the skin. If absorbed, causes symptoms similar to those of ingestion. May
be harmful if absorbed through the skin. Not sensitizing in guinea pig maximization test.

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Material Safety Data Sheet

Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether
Ingestion:
May cause irritation of the digestive tract. May cause liver and kidney damage. Exposure may cause
anemia and other blood abnormalities. May be harmful if swallowed. May cause central nervous
system depression.
Inhalation:
May cause respiratory tract irritation. Inhalation overexposure may lead to central nervous system
depression, producing effects such as dizziness, headache, confusion, incoordination, nausea,
weakness, and loss of consciousness. Extreme exposures may cause other CNS effects including
death.
Chronic:
2-Ethoxyethanol may be a teratogen in humans since it has been shown to be a teratogen in animals.
It may damage the testes and decrease fertility in males. Effects on liver and kidneys, stomach
ulcers, blood changes and reduced growth seen at high doses. In humans, the main metabolite is
ethoxyacetic acid, which is excreted in the urine, but is still detectable in the body 12 days after
exposure.

Section 4 - First Aid Measures

Eyes:
In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical
aid.
Skin:
In case of contact, flush skin with plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Get
medical aid if irritation develops and persists. Wash clothing before reuse.
Ingestion:
If swallowed, do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give
anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical aid.
Inhalation:
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult,
give oxygen. Get medical aid.
Notes to Physician:
Treat symptomatically and supportively.

Section 5 - Fire Fighting Measures

General Information:
As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH
(approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers
cool. Flammable liquid and vapor. Containers may explode when heated. Vapors are heavier than
air and may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Vapors can spread along the ground and
collect in low or confined areas.
Extinguishing Media:
Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or appropriate foam. Solid streams of water may be ineffective
and spread material.
Autoignition Temperature:
235 C (455 F)
Flash Point:
43 C (109.4 F)
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Material Safety Data Sheet

Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether
NFPA Rating:
Health: 2; Flammability: 2; Instability: 0
Explosion Limits:
Lower: 1.7%
Upper: 15.6%

Section 6 - Accidental Release Measures

General Information:
Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated in Section 8.
Spills/Leaks:
Absorb spill with inert material (e.g. vermiculite, sand or earth), then place in suitable container.
Remove all sources of ignition. Provide ventilation. Approach spill from upwind.

Section 7 - Handling and Storage

Handling:
Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Ground and
bond containers when transferring material. Use spark-proof tools and explosion proof equipment.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Empty containers retain product residue, (liquid and/or
vapor), and can be dangerous. Keep container tightly closed. Keep away from heat, sparks and
flame. Do not pressurize, cut, weld, braze, solder, drill, grind, or expose empty containers to heat,
sparks or open flames. Use only with adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing vapor or mist.
Storage:
Keep away from sources of ignition. Store in a tightly closed container. Store in a cool, dry, wellventilated area away from incompatible substances. Flammables area. Do not store in aluminum
containers. Store protected from light and air. Containers should be dated when opened and tested
periodically for the presence of peroxides. Should crystals form in a peroxidizable liquid,
peroxidation may have occurred and the product should be considered extremely dangerous. In this
instance, the container should only be opened remotely by professionals. All peroxidizable
substances should be stored away from heat and light and be protected from ignition sources.

Section 8 - Exposure Controls, Personal Protection

Engineering Controls:
Use process enclosure, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to control airborne
levels below recommended exposure limits. Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be
equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower.
Exposure Limits:

Chemical Name:

Ethylene glycol
monoethyl ether

ACGIH

5 ppm TWA;
Skin - potential
significant contribution
to overall exposure

NIOSH

0.5 ppm TWA;

1.8 mg/m3 TWA
500 ppm IDLH

OSHA Vacated PELs:

Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether: 200 ppm TWA; 740 mg/m3 TWA

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OSHA

200 ppm TWA;

740 mg/m3 TWA

Material Safety Data Sheet

Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether
Personal Protective Equipment

Eyes:
Wear chemical splash goggles.
Skin:
Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin exposure.
Clothing:
Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Respirators:
Follow the OSHA respirator regulations found in 29 CFR 1910.134 or European Standard EN 149.
Use a NIOSH/MSHA or European Standard EN 149 approved respirator if exposure limits are
exceeded or if irritation or other symptoms are experienced.

Section 9 - Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State:
Color:
Odor:
pH:
Vapor Pressure:
Vapor Density:
Evaporation Rate:
Viscosity:
Boiling Point:
Freezing/Melting Point:
Decomposition Temperature:
Solubility in water:
Specific Gravity/Density:
Molecular Formula:
Molecular Weight:

Liquid
Clear, colorless
Mild, sweet odor
Not available
3.8 mm Hg @ 20 C
3.1 (Air=1)
0.41(BuOAc=1)
2.1 cps @ 20 C
135 C
-90 C
Not available
Soluble
0.93
C4H10O2
90.12

Section 10 - Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability:
Under normal storage conditions, peroxidizable compounds can form and accumulate peroxides
which may explode when subjected to heat or shock. This material is most hazardous when peroxide
levels are concentrated by distillation or evaporation.
Conditions to Avoid:
Light, ignition sources, excess heat, exposure to flame, prolonged exposure to air.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials:
Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong bases, aluminum.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, peroxides.
Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.

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Material Safety Data Sheet

Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether
Section 11 - Toxicological Information
RTECS:
CAS# 110-80-5: KK8050000
LD50/LC50:
CAS# 110-80-5:
Draize test, rabbit, eye: 50 mg Moderate;
Draize test, rabbit, eye: 500 mg/24H Mild;
Inhalation, mouse: LC50 = 1820 ppm/7H;
Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 2000 ppm/7H;
Oral, mouse: LD50 = 2451 mg/kg;
Oral, mouse: LD50 = 4000 mg/kg;
Oral, rabbit: LD50 = 1275 mg/kg;
Oral, rabbit: LD50 = 1275 mg/kg;
Oral, rat: LD50 = 2125 mg/kg;
Oral, rat: LD50 = 2125 mg/kg;
Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 3.6 mg/kg;
Skin, rat: LD50 = 3900 mg/kg
Carcinogenicity:
CAS# 110-80-5: Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, or NTP.
California: None.
Epidemiology:
No information available.
Teratogenicity:
Has caused fetotoxicity, embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in animals at doses which are not
harmful to the mothers.
Reproductive:
Caused harmful effects to male fertility in animals. Limited human studies have indicated that 2-EE
can cause reproductive effects in men.
Mutagenicity:
No information available.
Neurotoxicity:
See actual entry in RTECS for complete information.

Section 12 - Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity:
Fish: Bluegill/Sunfish: LC50 = >10000 mg/L; 96 Hr.; Unspecified Fish: Bluegill/Sunfish: LC50 = 5400
mg/L; 24 Hr.; Modified ASTM D1345Water flea Daphnia: EC50 = >10000 mg/L; 24 Hr.; Unspecified
Bacteria: Phytobacterium phosphoreum: EC50 = 430 mg/L; 30 minutes; Microtox test No data
available.
Environmental:
No information available.
Physical:
No information available.

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Material Safety Data Sheet

Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether
Other:
An estimated BCF value of 0.34 was calculated for ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, using an
experimental log Kow of -0.32 and a recommended regression-derived equation. According to a
classification scheme, this BCF value suggests that bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low.

Section 13 - Disposal Considerations

Dispose of in accordance with Federal, State, and local regulations.

Section 14 - Transport Information

Shipping Name:
Hazard Class:
UN Number:
Packing Group:

US DOT

Ethylene glycol monoethyl

ether
3
UN1171
III

Section 15 - Regulatory Information

US Federal

TSCA:
CAS# 110-80-5 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
SARA Reportable Quantities (RQ):
CAS# 110-80-5: 1000 lb. final RQ; 454 kg final RQ
CERCLA/SARA Section 313:
This material contains Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (CAS# 110-80-5, >99%), which is subject
to the reporting requirements of Section 313 of SARA Title III and 40 CFR.
OSHA - Highly Hazardous:
None of the components are on this list.

US State

State Right to Know:

CAS# 110-80-5 can be found on the following state right to know lists: California, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Massachusetts.
California Regulations:
None.

European/International Regulations

Canadian DSL/NDSL:
CAS# 110-80-5 is listed on Canada's DSL List.
Canada Ingredient Disclosure List:
CAS# 110-80-5 is listed on the Canadian Ingredient Disclosure List.

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Material Safety Data Sheet

Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether
Section 16 - Other Information
MSDS Creation Date: April 18, 2007
Revision Date: None
Information in this MSDS is from available published sources and is believed to be accurate. No warranty, express or implied,
is made and LabChem Inc. assumes no liability resulting from the use of this MSDS. The user must determine suitability of this
information for his application.

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