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Chemical Name: Ethylbenzene
Molecular Formula: C8H10
Other Names: Phenylethane, EB
CAS Number: 100-41-4
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid with an aromatic odor
Common Uses: Solvent roles, intermediate for styrene production, role in fuels and paints industries
Odor Threshold: Detectable at low concentrations due to distinct sweet smell
Classification: Flammable liquid and vapor, health hazard
Signal Word: Danger
Major Risks: Eye and skin irritation, respiratory tract irritation, narcotic effects at high exposure, possible damage to liver and kidneys with prolonged contact, recognized as a possible carcinogen by IARC
Environmental Hazard: Toxic to aquatic organisms
Label Elements: Pictograms for flammability and health risk
Physical Effects: Can form explosive mixtures in air, vapor spreads easily
Main Component: Ethylbenzene, typically close to 99% in pure samples
Impurities: Trace of xylene or benzene depending on origin
Vapor Pressure: Moderately high at room temperature, supports rapid volatilization
Inhalation Exposure: Move to fresh air, maintain breathing, seek medical help if symptoms worsen
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected area with plenty of soap and water, monitor for skin changes
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently but thoroughly with water for at least fifteen minutes, look for redness or pain, reach out to a health professional if irritation persists
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, seek prompt medical care, lookout for symptoms like nausea or headache
General Advice: Always provide medical information about product nature during emergencies for better response
Extinguishing Media: Foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide effective for small fires, water spray for cooling containers
Hazards Under Fire: Produces toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, may emit dense black smoke
Protective Equipment: Wear full protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus in confined settings
Explosion Risk: Vapors may travel to sources of ignition and flashback
Advice for Firefighters: Approach upwind, limit personal exposure, avoid unnecessary risks
Personal Protection: Wear gloves, goggles, flame-resistant clothing
Evacuation: Secure area, restrict access if spill is large, remove ignition sources and ventilate well
Methods for Cleanup: Use inert absorbent materials for small spills, pick up with non-sparking tools, collect in appropriate containers for disposal
Prevention of Secondary Hazards: Block drains, avoid release to the environment, monitor for vapors
Safe Handling: Keep containers closed, handle in well-ventilated spaces, use proper grounding to avoid static discharge
Avoid: Breathing vapors, contact with eyes and skin, long exposure times without protection
Storage: Store away from heat, sparks, or open flame, separate from oxidizers, acids, and chlorinated compounds, maintain dedicated storage space for flammable chemicals
Stability During Storage: Can degrade with time and improper conditions, leads to greater fire risk
Permissible Exposure Limits: OSHA standard is 100 ppm (435 mg/m³), ACGIH recommends 20 ppm as a time-weighted average
Ventilation: Use local exhaust or fume hoods in processing sites
Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), splash goggles, flame-resistant clothing, emergency eye wash available nearby
Respiratory Protection: For high exposure tasks, use air-purifying or supplied-air respirators
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands before breaks and after handling, no eating or drinking around work materials
Appearance: Clear, mobile liquid
Boiling Point: About 136°C
Melting Point: -95°C
Flash Point: 15°C (closed cup), signals significant flammability risk
Density: About 0.87 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Low in water, easily dissolves in many organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: 9.6 mmHg at 20°C, supports rapid volatilization
Odor: Sweet, gasoline-like
Autoignition Temperature: About 432°C
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended conditions
Avoid: Oxidizing agents, acids, strong bases, light and heat
Decomposition Products: Toxic gases like carbon monoxide released during fires
Polymerization: Not expected under normal conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Incompatible material contact, overheating, generation of sparks
Acute Health Effects: Shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, skin and eye irritation
Chronic Exposure: Central nervous system impacts, possible liver and kidney effects, hearing loss in occupational settings
Carcinogenicity: Classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B, IARC)
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation most common, skin absorption less significant but still possible
Common Symptoms: Tiredness, nausea, irritation, longer-term exposure linked to memory or hearing issues in workers
Environmental Fate: Evaporates quickly, moderate persistence in air
Toxicity for Aquatic Life: Harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms, potential for moderate bioaccumulation
Soil and Water Impact: Not persistent but may contaminate groundwater through spills
Degradability: Breaks down by atmospheric reactions and microbial activity, but only slowly in water or soil
Safe Disposal: Send liquid waste to licensed hazardous waste handlers
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly, re-label, send for incineration or hazardous waste processing
Regulations: Dispose according to local, regional, and national requirements
Recycling: Recovery may be possible in some chemical industries, but unsafe for general use
UN Number: 1175
Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquid)
Shipping Name: Ethylbenzene
Packing Group: II (moderate hazard)
Special Precautions: No shipping alongside incompatible chemicals, carriage in special containers necessary
Transportation Risks: Spills during transit are a risk for both fire and environmental contamination
Classification: Controlled under several local and international chemical safety regulations
Occupational Safety: Limits on workplace concentrations, requirement for exposure monitoring in many industries
Labeling: Flammable and health hazard warnings necessary on all containers
Community Right-to-Know: Listed under toxic release and environmental safety guidelines for reporting spills or releases
User Responsibility: Duty to understand and apply rules laid out under various safety and health laws
