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Chemical Name: Ethylene Glycol Diethyl Ether
Synonyms: Diethyl Cellosolve, 2-Ethoxyethyl Ether
Chemical Formula: C6H14O2
CAS Number: 112-36-7
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid with a faint, pleasant odor
Uses: Often found as a solvent in laboratories and industries — from specialty coatings to cleaning products, sometimes pressed into service for organic synthesis or as a reaction medium where polar aprotic solvents give an edge.
Classification: Flammable liquid, health hazard — inhalation or skin contact brings risks
Main Hazards: Can irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, with high doses threatening the liver and kidneys. Fire hazards run high due to a low flash point, and vapors can sneak along surfaces to an ignition source out of sight.
Signal Words: Danger
Hazard Pictograms: Flammable, Health Hazard
Routes of Exposure: Absorption through skin, inhalation of vapors, ingestion.
Component: Ethylene Glycol Diethyl Ether
Concentration: Usually appears in pure form for lab or industrial use.
Impurities: May contain trace stabilizers, but these rarely influence health or fire risks in meaningful ways; presence varies by supplier.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air right away, support breathing if coughing or breathing challenge rises.
Skin Contact: Wash area thoroughly with plenty of water and soap, peeling off contaminated clothes.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with water for many minutes, and keep eyelids open; call for medical help if irritation sticks.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting — seek medical attention promptly, as ingested solvent can impair organs.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide; stream of water can spread the fire.
Flash Point: Around 42°C (108°F) — low enough to ignite easily on hot days or around sparks.
Special Hazards: Vapors build up in poorly ventilated areas; containers may explode in intense fires. Burning produces toxic fumes like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need full gear and self-contained breathing apparatus for intense blazes.
Personal Precautions: Ventilate area, keep away from ignition sources, wear protective gloves and goggles.
Spill Cleanup: Soak up liquid with inert absorbent like vermiculite or sand. Collect residue in containers for disposal.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from entering sewers or waterways – solvent seeps quickly into soil and groundwater.
Handling: Use in well-ventilated spaces, ground containers when pouring, keep away from heat, open flames, and static sources. Wear gloves and goggles to keep symptoms at bay.
Storage: Store tightly closed in cool, dry, ventilated zone, with labels clear and containers kept away from oxidizers and acids.
Exposure Limits: No established OSHA PEL, but always aim for minimum viable exposure; ACGIH recommends minimizing skin contact and inhalation.
Engineering Controls: Fume hoods, local exhaust systems, or good natural airflow are practical solutions to keep vapors down.
Personal Protective Equipment: Nitrile or neoprene gloves, chemical splash goggles, flame-resistant lab coats, and in jobs with frequent contact — a respirator rated for organic vapors.
Appearance: Transparent, colorless liquid
Odor: Faint ether-like scent
Boiling Point: Roughly 164°C
Melting Point: Around -90°C
Flash Point: Close to 42°C
Solubility: Readily dissolves in water and most organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: About 3.7 mmHg at 20°C
Density: 0.869 g/cm³ at 25°C
Physical traits like low viscosity and high volatility show up in many day-to-day lab incidents, especially near open vessels toward the end of a shift.
Chemical Stability: Stays stable when stored cool and dry; temperature spikes, strong oxidizers, acids, or bases can trip unwanted reactions.
Reactivity: Ignition or mixing with other reactive chemicals can spark dangerous byproducts.
Hazardous Decomposition: Burning or strong decomposition gives off carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and possibly other toxic compounds.
Routes of Entry: Dermal, inhalation, ingestion
Acute Effects: Eyes and skin sting and redden after direct contact; high vapor levels bring dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and nausea. Ingesting significant quantities risks kidney and liver injury, sometimes respiratory collapse.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated contact could worsen organ health, with some evidence of reproductive harm in animal studies.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified by IARC or NTP, but limited studies suggest possible risk after long-term high exposure.
Aquatic Toxicity: Spills create a threat for fish, invertebrates, and aquatic flora — low biodegradability means residue lingers in water and soil.
Persistence and Degradability: Resilient in water and under sunlight; builds up if not managed.
Mobility in Soil: Flows through soil and groundwater easily, risking contamination of drinking water supplies when accidents go unchecked.
Waste Handling: Treat as hazardous chemical waste; don’t dump down drains.
Recommended Methods: Send to licensed hazardous waste facility, and collect all cleanup materials in closed, labeled drums. Some facilities opt for fuel blending or high-temperature incineration, which minimizes environmental footprint.
UN Number: 1159
Hazard Class: 3 – Flammable liquids
Packaging Group: III
Labels: Flammable Liquid
Transportation Precautions: Properly sealed, upright, and clearly labeled containers, kept away from direct sun, sparks, and rough handling. Over-the-road and rail transport both bring risks, so extra steps — fireproof containers, spill kits, and clear documentation — keep people and property safer.
US Regulations: Listed on the TSCA Inventory; some states flag it as a hazardous air pollutant.
EU Regulations: Registered under REACH; flagged as hazardous; transport, workplace exposure, and disposal all fall under national and EU-wide chemical safety regimes.
Worker Protection: OSHA and similar national agencies expect employers to document risks, train staff, and maintain access to gloves, goggles, safety data, and adequate airflow. Where used in volume, frequent audits and exposure checkups offer a line of defense.
