Name: Divinylbenzene (80% mixture)
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a sharp, aromatic odor
Main Ingredient: Divinylbenzene, with styrene and other related aromatic compounds making up the rest
Common Uses: Restoration of ion exchange resins, specialty polymer manufacturing, chemical intermediates
Odor Threshold: Detectable at low concentrations due to strong aroma
Identifiers: CAS 1321-74-0 often represents this mixture, but varying compositions exist depending on the manufacturer
Main risks: Flammable liquid, can form explosive mixtures with air; irritates eyes, skin, and respiratory system; toxic if inhaled or in contact with skin; harmful to aquatic life
Signal Word: Danger
Critical Hazards: Burns, systemic toxicity if ingested, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, potential long-term effects on blood or liver with excessive or repeated exposure
Acute Effects: Eye and skin irritation, potential for chemical burns, potential development of blisters and reddening of affected areas
Chronic Effects: Central nervous system depression, possible carcinogenicity due to styrene content, anemia or decreased blood cell counts in severe cases
Label Elements: Fire, exclamation mark, and environmental hazard pictograms connect to its main dangers
Divinylbenzene: 80% (approximate)
Styrene: Up to 20%
Impurities: Ethylbenzene, diethylbenzene, trace aromatic hydrocarbons
Typical Component Range: Each manufacturer’s blend shifts slightly, but most products center around these proportions
Volatile Organic Compounds: Present due to monomeric structure
Eye Contact: Immediately flush with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids; seek medical attention
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected skin thoroughly with soap and running water; seek attention if irritation develops
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, monitor for difficulty breathing or dizziness; medical assessment in cases of prolonged exposure or symptoms
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting; obtain medical aid
Notes for Emergency Responders: Avoid mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; consider risk of chemical burns or absorption through skin
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray for small fires only
Unsuitable Media: Direct water streams may spread burning liquid
Specific Dangers: Vapors heavier than air, can travel to ignition source
Hazardous Combustion Products: Benzene, styrene, soot, potentially toxic fumes (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide)
Protective Gear: Self-contained breathing apparatus, full-body protective clothing
Special Instructions: Remain upwind, cool exposed containers with water spray
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, eliminate all ignition sources, ventilate
Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, gloves made from nitrile or butyl rubber, chemical-resistant suit if major spill
Containment: Dike with earth, absorb with inert material (sand, vermiculite)
Cleanup: Collect and dispose of in accordance with local regulations
Environmental Protection: Prevent entry into drains, sewers, or surface water; report significant releases
Decontamination: Wash spill area thoroughly after removal
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated locations, ground all containers, avoid breathing vapors
Spill Prevention: Keep away from sparks, hot surfaces, open flames
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed drums away from heat and direct sunlight
Incompatibilities: Oxidizing agents, strong acids, bases, chlorinated organic compounds
Temperature Range: Store at ambient temperatures, instability grows at higher heat
Static Electricity: Bond and earth all equipment for safe transfer
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA and ACGIH set limits for styrene (20-100 ppm for 8-hour shift) rather than for divinylbenzene specifically
Engineering Controls: Explosion-proof local exhaust ventilation, process enclosures
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, butyl rubber or nitrile gloves, long-sleeve protective clothing, flame-resistant coat in risky areas
Respirators: Organic vapor respirators for low concentrations, full-face SCBA for emergencies
Work Practices: Wash hands after handling, avoid eating or smoking in work area
Physical State: Liquid
Color: Colorless to light yellow
Boiling Point: 195–200°C (dependent on blend)
Melting Point: Below 0°C
Vapor Pressure: Moderate, increases with temperature
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in most organic solvents
Odor: Pungent, aromatic
Flash Point: ~65°C (open cup, approximate value)
Density: 0.98–0.99 g/cm³
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage, can polymerize if exposed to heat, light, or peroxides
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, light, sparks, air exposure
Hazardous Reactions: Polymers violently if inhibitor runs out or under incorrect storage
Incompatibles: Oxidizers, acids, alkali metals
Hazardous Decomposition: Benzene, styrene, polyaromatic compounds, carbon monoxide
Acute Toxicity: Inhalation can cause dizziness, headache, respiratory irritation; skin and eye contact bring burning sensation, possible chemical burns
Long-Term Effects: Chronic exposure connects to nervous system impacts, potential blood disorders
Carcinogenic Status: Styrene classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, eye, ingestion
Symptoms: Cough, nausea, redness, drowsiness, skin blisters, abdominal pain after ingestion
Aquatic Toxicity: Divinylbenzene shows toxicity to fish and invertebrates; long-lasting effects possible based on breakdown rate
Persistence: Breaks down slowly in environment, may bioaccumulate in organisms
Soil Mobility: Low, but possible migration to groundwater if in high concentrations
Wastewater Impact: Not readily biodegradable, treatment at effluent plants recommended
Air Emissions: Volatile organics contribute to ozone formation in urban smog
Waste Handling: Incinerate at high temperature in approved facility
Recycling: Reclamation possible under strictly controlled conditions
Spill Residue: Collect as hazardous waste, do not wash to drain
Containers: Empty drums require triple rinsing before recycling or disposal, otherwise treat as hazardous waste
Regulations: Abide by local, regional, and international protocols for organic hazardous substances
UN Number: UN 3077 (Environmental hazard marker for many countries)
Transport Label: Flammable liquid, marine pollutant in bulk shipments
Packaging: Approved containers resistant to aromatic solvents, sealed and labeled correctly
Transport Mode: Truck, rail, or vessel, always with spill kits and emergency plans in place
Legal Requirements: Documentation covers type, hazards, volume, and emergency instructions
Hazard Classification: Flammable liquid, acute oral and skin toxicity, environmental hazard
Chemical Inventories: Listed by US, EU, Japan, and other major regulatory bodies among toxic or restricted aromatic compounds
Worker Protection: OSHA, EU REACH, and local laws mandate controls over workplace air, personal protection, and exposure monitoring
Reporting Requirements: Significant spills or releases demand notification to environmental authorities
Labelling: Compliance with GHS hazard pictograms and signal words
Restrictions: Some jurisdictions have workplace exposure limits tied to the styrene fraction