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Product Name: 2-Methoxyethanol
Synonyms: Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, Methyl cellosolve
Chemical Formula: C3H8O2
CAS Number: 109-86-4
Molecular Weight: 76.09 g/mol
Recommended Uses: Solvent for resins, dyes, varnishes; chemical intermediate
Supplier Information: Refer to local supplier contact details.
Emergency Contact: Consult national Poison Center or local emergency numbers.
Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 3), Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation) (Category 4), Reproductive toxicity (Category 1B)
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with skin. Causes serious eye irritation. May damage fertility or the unborn child. Flammable liquid and vapor.
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; wear protective gear; avoid inhaling vapors or contact with skin and eyes.
Pictograms: Flame, Health hazard, Exclamation mark
Signal Word: Danger
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact.
Other Hazards: Vapors heavier than air; forms explosive mixtures with air. Prolonged exposure can damage bone marrow, blood, nervous system, kidneys, and liver.
Chemical Name: 2-Methoxyethanol
Concentration: 99% or higher
Impurities: Trace amounts of water and stabilizers, if any, usually less than 0.5%
CAS Number: 109-86-4
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep comfortable for breathing; provide oxygen if breathing becomes difficult. Seek medical attention for symptoms like dizziness or drowsiness.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Signs of irritation or absorption require medical advice.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with running water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present. Continue rinsing and obtain medical advice urgently for persistent pain or redness.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, never induce vomiting, drink water if conscious. Immediate medical help is essential, as absorption is rapid and systemic effects are delayed.
Advice for Doctor: Medical observation recommended for at least 48 hours due to delayed effects.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder. Water sprays may be used to cool objects but may spread spilled product.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Strong water jets, as they can scatter the liquid.
Specific Hazards: Produces irritant or toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide upon combustion. Heated containers may rupture explosively.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Full protective gear with self-contained breathing apparatus.
Special Fire-Fighting Procedures: Approach area upwind. Remove containers from the fire zone if safely possible. Contain run-off to avoid environmental contamination.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential personnel, ventilate area, avoid breathing vapors. Use chemical splash goggles, protective clothing, gloves, and respirator. Remove all ignition sources.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further spillage or leaks where possible. Contain run-off. Avoid entry into drains, waterways, or soil; notify authorities if significant release occurs.
Methods for Cleanup: Small spills: absorb with inert material such as sand or earth, place in a chemical waste container. Large spills: contain with dikes, vacuum or pump to salvage containers, and clean area with water using explosion-proof equipment. Monitor area for flammable vapor buildup.
Disposal of Collected Material: Refer to disposal section below.
Handling: Work in well-ventilated areas. Ground and bond containers during material transfer to prevent static discharge. Avoid inhaling vapors or prolonged direct contact with skin and eyes. Use non-sparking tools, flame-proof equipment.
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated gear and wash separately.
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers away from heat, sparks, and open flames. Keep separate from strong oxidizers, acids, alkalis. Store in fire-proof spaces at temperatures below 25°C/77°F if possible.
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides.
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 0.1 ppm TWA; OSHA PEL: Skin notation
Engineering Controls: Use local and general exhaust. Equipment should be explosion-proof. Install eyewash stations, safety showers.
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Eye/Face: Chemical safety goggles, face shield if splashing is likely
- Skin: Impervious gloves (butyl or nitrile rubber), lab coat or apron
- Respiratory: Approved air-purifying respirator for organic vapors if exposure limits may be exceeded
- Other Protection: Chemical-resistant boots, coveralls for large-scale exposures
Environmental Controls: Prevent from entering water bodies, sewers, or underground tanks.
Appearance: Colorless liquid
Odor: Mild, ether-like
Odor Threshold: 1.3 ppm
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point/Freezing Point: -85°C
Boiling Point/Range: 124°C
Flash Point: 39°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: 0.17 (butyl acetate = 1)
Flammability: Flammable liquid
Upper/Lower Explosion Limits: 3.2-22% (v/v in air)
Vapor Pressure: 6.7 mmHg (20°C)
Vapor Density: 2.6 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 0.965 (water = 1)
Solubility (Water): Fully miscible
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): -0.77
Auto-ignition Temperature: 235°C
Decomposition Temperature: Not specified
Viscosity: 1.37 mPa·s (20°C)
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal, cool, dry storage. If exposed to heat, oxidizers, or moisture, may become unstable or form hazardous byproducts.
Conditions to Avoid: Ignition sources, high temperatures, incompatible materials.
Materials to Avoid: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
Hazardous Polymerization: Not expected under normal conditions.
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 2370 mg/kg; Dermal LD50 (rat): >2000 mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 (rat, 4h): 3000 ppm
Skin/Eye Irritation: Causes moderate skin and eye irritation
Respiratory Irritation: Vapors may cause dizziness, headache, irritation to nose, throat
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure links to damage to blood, kidney, liver, and reproductive system; evidence of teratogenic effects in humans and animals.
Carcinogenicity: No evidence in humans, not listed as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity: Positive results in in vitro assays
Reproductive Toxicity: Evidence of adverse effects on fertility and development in animal studies; women of childbearing age recommended to avoid exposure.
Target Organs: Bone marrow, blood, reproductive organs, kidneys, liver
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms in high concentrations; LC50 (fish, 96h): 5620 mg/L
Mobility: Mobile in soil, high water solubility
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable in water and soil
Bioaccumulative Potential: Does not accumulate significantly in organisms (low log Kow)
Other Adverse Effects: Risk of groundwater contamination due to high mobility. Avoid release into the environment.
Waste Disposal Methods: Collect waste in sealed, appropriate containers, handle as hazardous waste. Incinerate in approved facilities with scrubbing for acidic gases. Landfill disposal discouraged.
Contaminated Packaging: Empty carefully. Triple rinse, then offer containers for proper drum reconditioning or recycling followed by approved disposal.
Local Regulations: Disposal practices must conform to local, regional, national, and international regulations.
UN Number: 1188
Proper Shipping Name: 2-Methoxyethanol
Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquids)
Packing Group: III
Label: Flammable liquid
Environmental Hazards: Not marine pollutant per IMDG Code
Special Precautions: Keep containers upright, tightly closed, protected from damage. Secure all shipments against leaks and ignition risks.
OSHA: Listed as hazardous chemical; specific workplace controls apply.
TSCA: Included in Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
SARA Title III: Section 313 chemical, requires reporting for release in certain quantities
California Proposition 65: Listed as chemical known to cause reproductive toxicity
EU: Classified as hazardous under CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008
REACH: Subject to registration requirements and restrictions on certain uses
Other National Regulations: Vary by country; always consult local regulatory agencies before handling.
