© 2026 Sinochem Nanjing Corporation,
All Right Reserved
Chemical Name: Dipropylene Glycol
Synonyms: DPG
CAS Number: 25265-71-8
Common Uses: Manufacturers use dipropylene glycol in cosmetics, personal care products, soaps, perfumes, and as a solvent in industrial applications. A clear, colorless, nearly odorless liquid, DPG brings a measure of versatility to countless everyday items in the home and workplace. Most folks see it as a harmless chemical, but working with it in higher concentrations can be a different story.
Health Risks: DPG is considered to have a low acute toxicity profile. Skin contact can cause mild irritation, especially after prolonged exposure. Inhalation of vapors or mists may lead to dizziness or mild respiratory irritation. Swallowing small amounts accidentally during work typically brings only minor symptoms, but larger amounts could lead to stomach upset and more significant nervous system effects.
Environmental Risks: DPG does not pose a high environmental hazard in small, routine spills. Large releases may be harmful to aquatic environments, which reflects the need for caution when handling storage tanks or bulk containers.
Warning Signs: Eyes begin to feel itchy, hands feel dry, or coworkers start coughing, that’s your cue to stop and review personal protection.
Main Ingredient: Dipropylene glycol, known for containing a mixture of isomers. The average mixture includes mono- and di-propylene glycol, though the concentration of the main compound often hovers above 95 percent by weight.
Impurities: Commercial samples might carry trace levels of other glycols or water, but industry monitoring keeps these minimal for both safety and performance.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes immediately under running water for several minutes, and check for ongoing irritation or changes in vision.
Skin Contact: Wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water, don’t forget hidden spots under rings or watches.
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air. Monitor for headaches, dizziness, or tightness in the chest.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; avoid forcing vomiting. Medical attention comes next if trouble develops—look for symptoms like nausea, confusion, or ongoing throat discomfort.
Flammability: DPG has a relatively high flash point, usually above 124°C (255°F), which makes ignition during typical use less likely. In the event of a fire, though, burning DPG can give off acrid fumes and potentially toxic byproducts like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Extinguishers: Firefighters rely on water mist, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, or foam. Directing a powerful water jet can splash the product and spread fire.
Protective Gear: Anyone near a burning spill will benefit from a self-contained breathing apparatus and full chemical-resistant suit. Burning spills can make an already tough situation worse by filling the air with hazardous smoke.
Spill Cleanup: Use absorbent materials like sand or commercial spill pads for clean-up. Workers should not use sawdust or anything that could react.
Ventilation: Make sure the area has plenty of fresh air; DPG vapors stay low to the ground in still spaces.
Disposal: Collect soaked materials in specially marked drums for safe disposal. Clean the area thoroughly—DPG can turn slippery, leading to falls.
Environmental Precautions: Keep runoff from reaching drains or surface water. Even minor spills, if ignored, can collect and lead to more significant pollution over time.
Handling: Use DPG only with proper ventilation. Anyone handling bulk chemicals for a living knows even low-risk materials build up a risk over the months and years, especially if jobs are rushed or tools wear out. Wearing gloves, goggles, and long sleeves provides protection.
Storage: Store DPG in a cool, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight or sources of ignition. Containers must be kept tightly sealed since DPG absorbs water and can degrade slower than other solvents.
Engineering Measures: Workplaces benefit from local exhaust ventilation or closed systems to keep airborne concentrations down.
Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves made of nitrile or neoprene, chemical splash goggles, lab coats, and, in cases where vapor can accumulate, respiratory protection.
Exposure Limits: While there isn’t always a set workplace exposure standard in every region, industry guidance suggests aiming for the lowest practical exposure—noses and lungs can only handle so much, and taking chances makes little sense.
Workplace Practices: Washing thoroughly after handling, storage away from food and beverages, and keeping contaminated clothing separate from regular laundry all matter.
Appearance: Clear, colorless, nearly odorless liquid
Boiling Point: Around 230°C (446°F)
Melting Point: -27°C (-17°F)
Flash Point: Approximately 124°C (255°F)
Solubility: Mixes well with water and many organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Density: About 1.02 g/cm³ at 20°C
Viscosity: Noticeably thicker than water; still flows easily for most uses.
Chemical Stability: DPG remains stable in sealed containers under normal storage and handling conditions.
Reactive With: Strong oxidizers have caused problems in plant settings; it makes sense to avoid mixing with peroxides or concentrated acids.
Decomposition: High heat or fire releases hazardous byproducts like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and irritating fumes.
Acute Toxicity: Unlikely to cause poisoning in small, accidental exposures. Long-term experience in the workplace shows little evidence of severe health effects, but overexposure to mists or repeated skin contact can irritate.
Skin and Eye Effects: Mild, localized redness or dryness is usual with repeated exposure.
Chronic Exposure: No convincing research links DPG to cancer or reproductive harm, but safe handling practices should always come first.
Aquatic Toxicity: DPG does not persist in the environment and breaks down over time. Large spills could deplete oxygen in water or gum up gills on fish, though risks from small amounts remain minimal.
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely—its structure favors breakdown over build-up.
Mobility: Moves easily through water and soil if released in bulk, so workplace containment practices play a real role in keeping waste out of the ecosystem.
Methods: Most users rely on licensed chemical waste companies for disposal. Smaller amounts might go in hazardous waste drums, but pouring leftovers down the drain or on the ground is not smart or legal in many places.
Precautions: Used containers need to be triple-rinsed or disposed of as hazardous waste if they’ve handled DPG in anything more than trace volumes. Treatment at a local wastewater facility only works if the discharge is minimal and meets regulations.
Regulatory Status: DPG is not classified as dangerous for transport under most international guidelines, like DOT or IATA rules.
Packing: Suitable shipping containers are made from stainless steel or HDPE. Drums, IBCs, and tank trucks see wide use.
Transport Hazards: Leaks during shipping become hazardous slip risks and can create trouble if left unaddressed, especially in closed trailers or warehouses.
Workplace Standards: Occupational safety agencies do not include DPG on major hazard lists, but companies still must comply with general chemical safety standards.
Environmental Laws: Spills fall under local water and waste management regulations. Reporting is required for bulk releases that reach water or soil.
Product Labeling: Labels call for warning about eye and skin contact, and provide emergency instructions and correct PPE requirements.
