Safety data for ethylene oxide

Glossary of terms on this data sheet.

The information on this web page is provided to help you to work safely, but it is intended to be an overview of hazards, not a replacement for a full Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). MSDS forms can be downloaded from the web sites of many chemical suppliers.

General

Synonyms: amprolene, anprolene, anproline, dihydrooxirene, dimethylene oxide, ENT-26263, EO, epoxyethane, 1,2-epoxyethane, ethene oxide, ethox, merpol, oxane, oxacyclopropane, oxidoethane,oxiran, oxirane, oxirene, oxyfume, T-gas
Molecular formula: C₂H₄O
CAS No: 75-21-8
EC No: 200-849-9
Annex I Index No: 603-023-00-X

Physical data

Appearance: colourless gas
Melting point: -111 C
Boiling point: 10.7 C
Vapour density: 1.52 g/l
Vapour pressure:
Specific gravity: 0.882
Flash point: -20 C
Explosion limits: no upper limit - burns in its own atmosphere
Autoignition temperature:

Stability

Stable when isolated, but reacts violently with water, bases, oxidizing metals, acids, alcohols, alkali metals, ammonia, chemically active metals and their salts. Highly flammable. Forms explosive mixtures with air which may be ignited by rapid compression.

Toxicology

Carcinogen, mutagen, reproductive hazard, toxic. Severe irritant. Sensitizer. Toxic by inhalation, ingestion and through skin contact. Moderate levels (0.1% or less) may rapidly be fatal if inhaled. Typical OEL 1-5 ppm.

Toxicity data
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)
ORL-RAT LD50 72 mg kg^-1
IHL-RAT LC50 800 ppm/4h
SCU-RAT LD50 187 mg kg^-1
IHL-HMN TCLO 12500 ppm/10s
IHL-WMN TCLO 500 ppm/2m
IHL-MUS LC50 836 ppm/4h

Irritation data
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)
SKN-HMN 1%/7s
EYE-RBT 18 mg/6h mod

Risk phrases
(The meaning of any risk phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
R12 R23 R24 R25 R36 R37 R38 R45 R46.

Personal protection

Safety glasses, gloves, high quality ventilation. Avoid sparks and any form of ignition.

Safety phrases
(The meaning of any safety phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
S45 S53

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