chemicals: 0

Chemical Datasheet

NFPA 704

General Description

A clear colorless liquid with a characteristic vinous odor and pungent taste. Flash point 55°F. Density 6.5 lb / gal. Vapors are heavier than air.

Reactivity Alerts

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Soluble in water in all proportions.

Fire Hazard

FLAMMABLE. Flashback along vapor trail may occur. Vapor may explode if ignited in an enclosed area. (USCG, 1999)

Health Hazard

VAPOR: Irritating to eyes, nose and throat. LIQUID: Not harmful. (USCG, 1999)

Reactivity Profile

ETHANOL reacts violently with acetyl chloride and acetyl bromide [Rose, (1961); Merck 11th ed., 1989]. Mixtures with concentrated sulfuric acid and strong hydrogen peroxide can cause explosions. Mixtures with concentrated hydrogen peroxide form powerful explosives. Reacts readily with hypochlorous acid and with chlorine to give ethyl hypochlorite, which decomposes in the cold and explodes on exposure to sunlight or heat. Base-catalysed reactions with isocyanates should be carried out in inert solvents. Such reactions in the absence of solvents often occur with explosive violence [Wischmeyer(1969)]. Highly oxidized potassium metal was dropped into a dish of ethyl alcohol, an immediate explosion shattered the dish. Potassium superoxide was considered the cause of the reaction [Health and Safety Inf. 251(1967)]. Ethanol or methanol can ignite on contact with a platinum-black catalyst. (Urben 1794).

Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)

Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Isolation and Evacuation

Excerpt fromERG Guide 127 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)

Firefighting

Excerpt fromERG Guide 127 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible)]:

CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient. CAUTION: For fire involvingUN1170,UN1987 orUN3475, alcohol-resistant foam should be used. CAUTION: Ethanol (UN1170) can burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.).

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)

Non-Fire Response

Excerpt fromERG Guide 127 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2024)

Protective Clothing

Excerpt fromNIOSH Pocket Guide for Ethyl alcohol:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2024)

DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics

First Aid

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Volatile chemicals have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting which increases the medical problems. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

Flash Point: 55°F(NTP, 1992)

Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 3.3 %(NTP, 1992)

Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 19 %(NTP, 1992)

Autoignition Temperature: 689°F(USCG, 1999)

Melting Point: -173.4°F(NTP, 1992)

Vapor Pressure: 40 mmHgat 66°F; 50 mmHg at 77°F(NTP, 1992)

Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 1.59 (NTP, 1992)- Heavier than air; will sink

Specific Gravity: 0.79 at 68°F(USCG, 1999)- Less dense than water; will float

Boiling Point: 173.3°Fat 760 mmHg(NTP, 1992)

Molecular Weight: 46.07 (NTP, 1992)

Water Solubility: greater than or equal to 100 mg/mLat 73°F(NTP, 1992)

Ionization Energy/Potential:10.47 eV(NIOSH, 2024)

IDLH: 3300 ppm; Based on 10% of the lower explosive limit.(NIOSH, 2024)