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Chemical Name: Ethyl lactate
Common Uses: Solvent in cleaning, pharmaceutical manufacturing, flavoring agent, green chemistry applications
CAS Number: 97-64-3
GHS Classification: Flammable liquid, irritant
Hazard Pictograms: Flame, exclamation mark
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Flammable liquid and vapor, causes serious eye irritation, may cause skin and respiratory irritation
Route of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Symptoms: Stinging in eyes, redness, coughing, headache, dizziness if vapor is breathed in
Main Ingredient: Ethyl lactate
Purity: Typically more than 98%
Other Components: Trace water, byproducts from fermentation and purification, no significant impurities normally present in commercial grade ethyl lactate intended for industrial use
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep comfortable, seek medical help if breathing feels difficult or if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Rinse skin quickly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical attention if irritation shows up
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently yet thoroughly for at least fifteen minutes, lifting eyelids from time to time, get medical advice fast if irritation or pain continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not force vomiting, seek immediate medical attention for large or intentional intake or if symptoms develop
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, alcohol-resistant foam
Specific Dangers: Flammable vapor mixes with air, forms explosive mixtures especially in confined spaces
Special Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective suit
Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, other irritating fumes possible at high temperatures
Personal Precautions: Avoid breathing vapors, prevent skin and eye contact, use suitable personal protective gear
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release into sewers, waterways, or soil
Clean-up Methods: Open windows or doors for ventilation, gather with inert absorbent material like sand or vermiculite, place in closed containers for disposal, clean spill area well afterward
Safe Handling: Handle away from ignition sources like sparks, open flames, or hot surfaces, use in a space with solid air exchange, avoid splashing and spillage
Storage: Keep in tightly closed containers, store in cool, dry areas out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat, separate from incompatible substances like oxidizing agents and acids
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing as needed
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust or general ventilation to keep airborne concentrations low, especially in confined spaces
Respiratory Protection: Use a cartridge respirator with organic vapor filter if engineering controls cannot keep vapors below recommended exposure limits
Skin Protection: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, long sleeves, and protective footwear
Eye Protection: Safety glasses with side shields or chemical splash goggles
Occupational Exposure Limits: No well-established limits in many regulatory settings, but minimize exposure due to mild irritation potential
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Mild, fruity, slightly sweet
Boiling Point: About 154°C
Flash Point: Roughly 46°C (closed cup)
Solubility: Mixes well with water and a wide range of organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Low to moderate at room temperature
Density: Slightly higher than water, around 1.03 g/cm3
Stability: Remains stable under normal working and storage conditions
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizers or acids, may produce heat and irritating vapors
Conditions to Avoid: Open flames, heat sources, direct sunlight, incompatible chemicals
Hazardous Decomposition: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, organic acids if thermally decomposed
Acute Effects: Irritates eyes and skin with direct contact, inhaling high levels may cause throat and nose irritation
Chronic Effects: Chronic exposure not well studied but expected to have low toxicity with normal handling
LD50 (oral, rat): Approx. 5000 mg/kg, low toxicity by ingestion
Sensitization: Not known to cause allergic reactions in most people
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a carcinogen or mutagen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Biodegradability: Breaks down easily in the environment
Aquatic Toxicity: Low to moderate toxicity to aquatic life, risk increases with volume and concentration in waterways
Mobility: Moves easily in soil and water, especially where spilled in large amounts
Persistence: Not likely to accumulate due to ready biodegradation
Disposal Methods: Collect waste in sealed containers, send to chemical waste treatment or incineration facilities, follow local laws and guidelines
Avoid Releases: Prevent dumping into drains, waterways, or open ground
Container Disposal: Empty drums retain residue, triple-rinse before recycling or disposal in line with authorities
UN Number: 1192 (Ethyl lactate is a recognized hazardous material for transport purposes)
Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: III (Minor to moderate danger)
Proper Shipping Name: Ethyl lactate
Precautions: Store upright, away from sources of ignition, clear hazard labeling, secure caps and closures for all journeys
Workplace Regulations: Subject to flammable liquid handling standards under OSHA, and marked as a hazardous chemical in many national and state inventories
Hazard Communication: GHS labeling mandatory in most regulated workplaces
Environmental Regulations: Clean Water Act restrictions may apply if spilled in volume, management under national hazardous waste rules
