ICSC 0155 - ETHYLENE OXIDE

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ETHYLENE OXIDE	ICSC: 0155 (July 2015)
1,2-Epoxyethane Oxirane Dimethylene oxide

CAS #: 75-21-8

UN #: 1040

EC Number: 200-849-9

	ACUTE HAZARDS	PREVENTION	FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE & EXPLOSION	Extremely flammable. Gas/air mixtures are explosive. Risk of fire and explosion as a result of decomposition when heated.	NO open flames, NO sparks and NO smoking. Closed system, ventilation, explosion-proof electrical equipment and lighting. Use non-sparking handtools.	Shut off supply; if not possible and no risk to surroundings, let the fire burn itself out. In other cases extinguish with powder, alcohol-resistant foam, water spray, carbon dioxide. In case of fire: keep cylinder cool by spraying with water. Combat fire from a sheltered position.

AVOID ALL CONTACT! IN ALL CASES CONSULT A DOCTOR!
	SYMPTOMS	PREVENTION	FIRST AID
Inhalation	Cough. Drowsiness. Headache. Nausea. Sore throat. Vomiting. Weakness.	Use closed system or ventilation.	Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.
Skin	MAY BE ABSORBED! Frostbite. Redness. Pain.	Protective gloves. Cold-insulating gloves. Protective clothing.	Remove contaminated clothes. ON FROSTBITE: rinse with plenty of water, do NOT remove clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention .
Eyes	Redness. Pain. Blurred vision.	Wear eye protection in combination with breathing protection.	First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.
Ingestion		Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work. Wash hands before eating.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL	CLASSIFICATION & LABELLING
Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Personal protection: gas-tight chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Ventilation. Do NOT wash away into sewer. NEVER direct water jet on liquid. Remove gas with fine water spray.	According to UN GHS Criteria Extremely flammable gas Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated Toxic if inhaled Causes serious eye irritation Causes skin irritation May cause respiratory irritation May cause genetic defects May cause cancer Transportation UN Classification UN Hazard Class: 2.3; UN Subsidiary Risks: 2.1
STORAGE
Fireproof. Cool.
PACKAGING

ETHYLENE OXIDE

ICSC: 0155

PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL INFORMATION
Physical State; Appearance COLOURLESS COMPRESSED LIQUEFIED GAS WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR. Physical dangers The gas is heavier than air and may travel along the ground; distant ignition possible. Chemical dangers The substance may polymerize due to heating, under the influence of acids, bases, metal chlorides and metal oxides. This generates fire or explosion hazard. Decomposes above 560°C in the absence of air. This generates fire and explosion hazard. Reacts violently with many compounds.	Formula: C₂H₄O Molecular mass: 44.1 Boiling point: 11°C Melting point: -111°C Relative density (water = 1): 0.9 Solubility in water: miscible Vapour pressure, kPa at 20°C: 146 Relative vapour density (air = 1): 1.5 Flash point: Flammable gas Auto-ignition temperature: 429°C Explosive limits, vol% in air: 3-100 Octanol/water partition coefficient as log Pow: -0.3

PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL INFORMATION

Physical State; Appearance
COLOURLESS COMPRESSED LIQUEFIED GAS WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.

Physical dangers
The gas is heavier than air and may travel along the ground; distant ignition possible.

Chemical dangers
The substance may polymerize due to heating, under the influence of acids, bases, metal chlorides and metal oxides. This generates fire or explosion hazard. Decomposes above 560°C in the absence of air. This generates fire and explosion hazard. Reacts violently with many compounds.

Formula: C₂H₄O
Molecular mass: 44.1
Boiling point: 11°C
Melting point: -111°C
Relative density (water = 1): 0.9
Solubility in water: miscible
Vapour pressure, kPa at 20°C: 146
Relative vapour density (air = 1): 1.5
Flash point: Flammable gas
Auto-ignition temperature: 429°C
Explosive limits, vol% in air: 3-100
Octanol/water partition coefficient as log Pow: -0.3

EXPOSURE & HEALTH EFFECTS
Routes of exposure The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and through the skin. Effects of short-term exposure The vapour is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Water solutions may cause skin blisters. Rapid evaporation of the liquid may cause frostbite.	Inhalation risk A harmful concentration of this gas in the air will be reached very quickly on loss of containment. Effects of long-term or repeated exposure Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. Repeated or prolonged inhalation may cause asthma. The substance may have effects on the nervous system. This substance is carcinogenic to humans. May cause heritable genetic damage to human germ cells.

EXPOSURE & HEALTH EFFECTS

Routes of exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and through the skin.

Effects of short-term exposure
The vapour is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Water solutions may cause skin blisters. Rapid evaporation of the liquid may cause frostbite.

Inhalation risk
A harmful concentration of this gas in the air will be reached very quickly on loss of containment.

Effects of long-term or repeated exposure
Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. Repeated or prolonged inhalation may cause asthma. The substance may have effects on the nervous system. This substance is carcinogenic to humans. May cause heritable genetic damage to human germ cells.

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS
TLV: 1 ppm as TWA; (skin); A2 (suspected human carcinogen); BEI issued. EU-OEL: 1.8 mg/m³, 1 ppm as TWA; (skin). MAK: skin absorption (H); carcinogen category: 2; germ cell mutagen group: 2

ENVIRONMENT
The substance is harmful to aquatic organisms.

NOTES
Anyone who has shown symptoms of asthma due to this substance should avoid all further contact. The symptoms of asthma often do not become manifest until a few hours have passed and they are aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation are therefore essential. Turn leaking cylinder with the leak up to prevent escape of gas in liquid state. The odour warning when the exposure limit value is exceeded is insufficient.

NOTES

Anyone who has shown symptoms of asthma due to this substance should avoid all further contact.
The symptoms of asthma often do not become manifest until a few hours have passed and they are aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation are therefore essential.
Turn leaking cylinder with the leak up to prevent escape of gas in liquid state.
The odour warning when the exposure limit value is exceeded is insufficient.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EC Classification
Symbol: F+, T; R: 45-46-12-23-36/37/38; S: 53-45; Note: E

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