Product Name: Ethylene Glycol Phenyl Ether
Other Names: Phenoxyethanol, 2-Phenoxyethanol
Recommended Uses: Solvent, preservative in cosmetics, used in inks and dyes, chemical intermediate
Manufacturer Information: Company name, address, and emergency contact details found on package label
CAS Number: 122-99-6
UN Number: 2810 (for transport)
Emergency Overview: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with faint aromatic odor.
Regulatory Classification: Eye irritant, skin irritant, potential harmful if swallowed or absorbed through skin
Hazard Symbols: Exclamation mark (irritant), health hazard
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, harmful if swallowed
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapor, wear protective gloves and eye protection, wash hands after use, handle with care to avoid spills
Potential Health Effects: May cause mild to moderate eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. Ingestion or inhalation can lead to symptoms such as headache, nausea, drowsiness, and in severe cases, CNS depression.
Chemical Identity: Ethylene Glycol Phenyl Ether (2-Phenoxyethanol)
Chemical Formula: C8H10O2
Molecular Weight: 138.17 g/mol
Purity: Typically ≥99%
Impurities: May contain trace impurities such as phenol, ethylene glycol, and related ethers depending on manufacturer
Exposure Limits: Not established for this material; refer to good laboratory practices.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air as soon as possible. If breathing seems affected, keep individual at rest and seek medical attention immediately. Provide oxygen if available and needed.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. If irritation develops or persists, consult a physician.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing. Seek medical attention if irritation does not subside.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel. Seek prompt medical attention.
Notes for Medical Personnel: Treat symptomatically; monitor for allergic reactions, respiratory symptoms, and CNS effects.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, or water spray. Unsuitable agents include high-pressure water streams.
Specific Hazards: Combustible liquid. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air at higher temperatures.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and phenolic compounds may form.
Firefighter Instructions: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing. Approach from upwind side.
Explosion Risk: Product is not explosive in normal handling but flammable vapor may accumulate in enclosed spaces.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area if large spill, ventilate well, and use appropriate personal protective equipment. Do not breathe vapors or allow contact with skin and eyes.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains, watercourses, or soil. Notify authorities if spill affects the environment.
Cleanup Procedures: Soak up small spills with inert absorbent (sand, earth, vermiculite). Place material in labeled containers for disposal. Large spills require bunding and mechanical collection.
Decontamination: Wash contaminated surfaces thoroughly with water and mild detergent.
Additional Precautions: Remove all potential ignition sources from affected area.
Handling: Keep container tightly closed in use. Avoid breathing vapors and direct contact with skin or eyes. Use in a well-ventilated area or laboratory hood. Wash thoroughly after handling.
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, and direct sunlight. Segregate from strong oxidizers, acids, alkalis, and foodstuffs.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, strong oxidizing agents.
Packaging Materials: Store in loose-fitting containers made of glass, stainless steel, or other chemical-resistant material.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, chemical fume hood, or suitable extraction in confined spaces.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety glasses or splash goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), lab coat or overalls, closed-toe shoes. For airborne exposure, use respirator with organic vapor cartridge if ventilation inadequate.
Hygiene Measures: Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking during use. Wash hands and face before breaks and after handling.
Exposure Limits: Specific exposure limit has not been assigned by OSHA, NIOSH, or ACGIH, but minimize exposure as per workplace policy.
Appearance: Clear, colorless to slightly pale yellow liquid
Odor: Mild pleasant odor, faintly floral or phenolic
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (approx. 6-7)
Melting Point: -2°C (28°F)
Boiling Point: 245°C (473°F)
Flash Point: 121°C (250°F) (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Slower than water
Flammability: Combustible liquid
Upper/Lower Flammability Limits: Not established
Vapor Pressure: 0.1 mmHg at 25°C
Vapor Density: Approx. 4.8 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 1.10 at 20°C (water = 1)
Solubility: Miscible with water and most organic solvents
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): 1.2
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 470°C
Decomposition Temperature: Not available
Viscosity: 25 mPa·s at 20°C
Chemical Stability: Normally stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Not reactive under ordinary conditions; may react with strong oxidizers and acids
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Contact with oxidizing agents can cause exothermic reaction
Decomposition Products: Forms hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, phenol under fire or thermal decomposition
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, flames, exposure to strong UV light, and incompatible chemicals
Polymerization: Product does not polymerize spontaneously.
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) ~1850 mg/kg, Dermal LD50 (rabbit) >2000 mg/kg
Inhalation Toxicity: Not well documented; high vapor concentrations may cause CNS depression, dizziness, headache
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Mild to moderate skin irritant
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes severe irritation with prolonged exposure
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization: Not a known sensitizer
Germ Cell Mutagenicity: No mutagenic effects reported in standard in vitro or in vivo tests
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, or OSHA as a human carcinogen
Reproductive Toxicity: Animal studies suggest potential effects at high doses, relevance to workplace exposure is low
Specific Target Organ Toxicity: May affect kidneys and liver after repeated or high-level exposure
Ecotoxicity: Potentially toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations; LC50 (fish) ~220-500 mg/L (96 h); EC50 (Daphnia) ~500 mg/L (48 h)
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable in aerobic aquatic environments
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low bioaccumulation (log Kow 1.2)
Mobility in Soil: Product is expected to have moderate mobility; soluble in water
Other Effects: Not classified as hazardous to the environment at typical use concentrations; containment of spills is good practice.
Waste Treatment Methods: Collect liquid and contaminated absorbent in sealed containers; disposal through licensed chemical waste contractor
Product Disposal: Do not release into drains, waterways, or soil. Dispose in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly before disposal or recycling
Additional Recommendations: Consult EPA, local waste authority, or environmental agency for approved disposal guidelines.
UN Number: 2810
UN Proper Shipping Name: Toxic Liquid, Organic, N.O.S. (Ethylene Glycol Phenyl Ether)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (toxic)
Packing Group: III
Labeling Requirements: Toxic label; ensure containers are marked clearly during transit
Special Precautions: Secure containers upright; keep away from incompatible goods; emergency information available during shipment
Sea/IMDG, Air/IATA Regulations: Subject to transport rules for toxic organic liquids.
TSCA (United States): Listed
REACH (Europe): Registered substance
OSHA (Hazard Communication): Classified as hazardous; safety training recommended
WHMIS (Canada): D2B—Toxic material causing other toxic effects
Other North American Regulations: Subject to workplace right-to-know laws; check local, state, and provincial rules
Global Chemical Inventory: Present on key chemical inventories (Japan ENCS, Australia AICS, China IECSC, Korea ECL)
Regulatory Statements: Review latest SDS updates for changing classification and labeling criteria.
