Chemical Name: Ethylene Glycol Monophenyl Ether
Common Names: Phenoxyethanol
Chemical Formula: C8H10O2
CAS Number: 122-99-6
Physical State: Clear, oily liquid
Odor Description: Mild, rose-like scent
Common Uses: Solvent in inks, dyes, cleaning agents, cosmetic preservative
Hazard Class: Classified as hazardous based on eye and skin irritation potential
GHS Symbols: Exclamation Mark
Risk Statements: Irritating to eyes and skin, potentially harmful if inhaled or swallowed, not expected to present fire hazard under normal conditions
Precautionary Statements: Avoid skin contact, use proper ventilation, wear protective gloves and eyewear, avoid breathing vapors
Main Component: Ethylene Glycol Monophenyl Ether (approx. 99%)
Potential Impurities: Trace glycol derivatives may occur during manufacture
Stabilizers or Additives: None typically present in technical grade forms
Eye Contact: Flush immediately with plenty of water, continue for several minutes, seek medical attention if irritation persists
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water, contaminated clothing should be removed and washed before reuse
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, keep at rest and warm, seek help if symptoms appear
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical advice, show product label to medical staff
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Hazardous Decomposition Products: May emit carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide under fire conditions
Unusual Fire Hazards: Containers may burst in heat, runoff may be hazardous to the aquatic environment
Firefighter Precautions: Wear full protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, goggles, and suitable clothing, ensure adequate ventilation
Spill Clean-Up: Soak up with inert absorbent material such as sand or earth, collect in properly labeled containers
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, groundwater, and surface water, notify authorities if large quantities spilled
Handling Practices: Use only in well-ventilated areas, avoid inhaling vapors, wear personal protective equipment, don't eat or drink when using chemicals
Storage Conditions: Keep containers tightly closed, store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from sources of ignition, incompatible materials such as oxidizers
Ventilation: Ensure adequate local exhaust in areas of regular use
Personal Protection: Gloves resistant to organic solvents, safety goggles to protect eyes, protective clothing to avoid skin contact
Respiratory Protection: Use appropriate respirators if airborne concentrations exceed recommended limits
Exposure Limits: Occupational exposure limits differ by country; some workplaces may not have specific limits set for this chemical, making line management and regular air quality monitoring important
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow, viscous liquid
Odor: Subtle, floral
Boiling Point: Around 245°C
Melting Point: Around -23°C
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Solubility: Miscible with most common solvents, moderately soluble in water
Density: About 1.1 g/cm3
Flash Point: Approx. 121°C
Chemical Stability: Stable under proper storage conditions
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, oxidizers
Hazardous Reactions: May form peroxides on exposure to air or light, not expected to polymerize
Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide under combustion or severe heating
Acute Toxicity: Moderate oral toxicity—studies reveal effects at high doses, nausea and dizziness if ingested or inhaled
Skin Irritation: Can cause redness and dryness with prolonged contact
Eye Effects: Burns and discomfort possible
Sensitization: Rare, but repeated exposure may lead to allergic reactions for sensitive individuals
Chronic Effects: Prolonged contact may cause kidney or liver impact, data for long-term exposure limited
Mutagenicity: Not classified as mutagenic based on currently available studies
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic in large quantities to aquatic life—official studies show poor degradability, substance may persist in water
Bioaccumulation: Low to moderate potential, regular monitoring recommended if releasing into environment
Degradability: Slow in typical conditions, proper disposal prevents environmental loading
Land Impact: Risk of soil contamination if spilled repeatedly in the same location
Waste Handling: Treat as hazardous waste, avoid pouring down the drain or disposing of with household garbage
Disposal Methods: Use licensed chemical waste contractors, incinerate under controlled conditions if local rules permit
Container Disposal: Triple rinse containers, puncture, and send to approved drum reconditioners or recyclers
UN Number: Not regulated for ground transport in small quantities but check regulations for bulk haulage
Shipping Name: Ethylene Glycol Ether or related designation
Hazard Classification: Check for changes in local laws as updates in chemical transport hazard codes occur
Packaging: Use leak-proof and labeled drums or bottles, secure against shifting during transport, never ship with incompatible materials like acids or oxidizers
Labeling Requirements: Safety labels in accordance with global hazard communication standards such as GHS
Workplace Rules: Occupational exposure standards may require air quality, medical surveillance, and specific emergency procedures
Chemical Inventories: US TSCA, European EINECS, and similar government inventories list this chemical, safety data must be updated as rules change
Restricted Uses: Not suitable for applications involving direct food contact or children's products in several regions