Product Name: Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid
Chemical Family: Glycol ethers and borate esters blend
Manufacturer: Listed on product label or supplier documentation
Product Use: Hydraulic brake systems in automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles
Emergency Contact: Refer to packaging or supplier website for phone numbers and response teams
Synonyms: DOT 3, DOT 4 Brake Fluid (depending on composition)
Recommended Restrictions: Avoid use in non-specified hydraulic equipment; not intended for aviation or mineral oil systems
Address: Manufacturer’s location or distributor location as specified on the product packaging
GHS Classification: Eye irritation, skin irritation, specific target organ toxicity
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes skin and serious eye irritation; may damage organs through prolonged or repeated exposure; harmful if swallowed
Pictograms: Exclamation mark (irritant), Health hazard symbol
Precautionary Statements: Keep out of reach of children; avoid eye and skin contact; do not ingest or inhale vapor
Potential Health Effects: Eye reddening, skin dryness or cracking, headache, dizziness, nausea with overexposure, possible kidney or liver effects from long-term contact
Environmental Hazards: Dangerous to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Diethylene Glycol: 30–50%
Triethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether: 20–35%
Polyalkylene Glycol Ether: 10–25%
Borate Ester: 6–12%
Corrosion Inhibitors, Dyes, Additives: 1–2%
CAS Numbers: 111-46-6 (Diethylene Glycol), 143-22-6 (Triethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether), other identifying numbers as listed by supplier
Impurities: Typical trace water and residue from production, not considered hazardous in standard formulation
Ingredient Disclosure: Full breakdown found in supplier technical data and safety sheets
Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water, lifting upper and lower eyelids, seek medical attention if irritation continues
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and water for several minutes; medical attention advised for persistent redness or irritation
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep comfortable, seek medical advice if symptoms such as headache or dizziness develop
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical attention due to possible toxicity
Notes for Physician: Treat symptoms, monitor renal and hepatic function with significant exposure
Key Symptoms: Eye pain, stinging, blurred vision, skin rash, dizziness, abdominal discomfort
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or water spray
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jet could spread the product or cause splattering
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Use self-contained breathing apparatus, protective clothing to prevent skin exposure
Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, potentially irritating organic vapors
Fire Hazards: Can form combustible mixtures at high temperatures, vapors heavier than air may travel to sources of ignition
Protective Equipment: Full bunker gear for emergency responders
Personal Precautions: Wear suitable protective gear, avoid skin or eye contact, ventilate area if vapors build up
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, sewers, watercourses; inform responsible authorities in event of substantial spill
Spill Clean-up Methods: Contain and collect with absorbent material (sand, earth, vermiculite), transfer to suitable waste container, dispose of according to regulations
Decontamination: Wash affected area with soap and water after clean-up; remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse
Disposal of Collected Materials: See Disposal Considerations section
Handling: Use in well ventilated area, avoid breathing mist or vapor, keep container tightly closed when not in use, avoid contact with eyes or skin, wash hands thoroughly after use
Storage: Store in original containers, in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area, keep away from food, drinks, incompatible chemicals (strong acids, oxidizers), and sources of ignition, prevent container damage
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, bases, oxidizers, chlorinated compounds
Special Requirements: Do not reuse empty containers without cleaning, label containers properly
Occupational Exposure Limits: Diethylene glycol: TWA 10 mg/m³ (consult local regulations)
Engineering Controls: Mechanical ventilation, local exhaust in poorly ventilated areas
Personal Protection: Safety goggles or face shield, chemical resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), long-sleeved clothing, rubber apron
Respiratory Protection: Not typically required in normal use, NIOSH-approved respirator if mist or vapor present
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink or smoke while using
Occupational Monitoring: Routine air monitoring for chronic exposure in industrial settings
Appearance: Clear to yellowish liquid
Odor: Slight, characteristic glycol odor
Odor Threshold: Not measurable with normal human sense
pH: 7–11 (may vary with formulation)
Boiling Point Range: 205–270°C (decreases with water contamination)
Melting/Freezing Point: Below -50°C
Flash Point: Around 100–115°C (Closed cup method)
Vapor Pressure: Low at ambient conditions
Vapor Density: Greater than air
Solubility: Miscible with water in all proportions
Specific Gravity: 1.03–1.09 @ 20°C
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Below 1
Viscosity: Varies by product grade and temperature; typically above 1.5 cSt at 100°C
Auto-ignition Temperature: Above 300°C
Decomposition Temperature: Above 200°C
Evaporation Rate: Slower than water
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sparks, flames, direct sunlight, moisture ingress
Materials to Avoid: Oxidizers, acids, alkali metals, halogens
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, aldehydes, organic fumes
Polymerization: Will not occur under expected conditions
Reactivity: Non-reactive with most materials, reacts with strong oxidizers with risk of fire
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) for diethylene glycol: 12,565 mg/kg, considered low to moderate; skin LD50 (rabbit): >11,800 mg/kg
Inhalation: Low risk at room temperature; excessive vapor may cause dizziness or headache
Skin Contact: May cause dryness, irritation, or allergic reaction in sensitive individuals
Eye Contact: Irritation, redness, watering
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause kidney or liver effects; accidental ingestion may cause metabolic acidosis, nervous system depression
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by IARC, OSHA, or NTP
Mutagenicity: No data indicating mutagenic risk
Reproductive Toxicity: No significant adverse reproductive effects reported in animal studies for brake fluid main ingredients
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life, fish and invertebrate toxicity LC50 (96 hr, freshwater fish) > 1,000 mg/L; high concentrations can damage aquatic ecosystems
Persistence and Degradability: Major glycol ingredients are biodegradable under aerobic conditions
Bioaccumulation: Low potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Diffuses rapidly in soil and water due to water solubility
Other Adverse Effects: Large spills in water or soil can disrupt biological treatment operations or threaten water supplies; break fluid sprayed on ground frequently runs off to storm drains which flow untreated to rivers
Disposal Method: Collect for proper hazardous waste disposal according to local, state, federal, or national regulations
Container Disposal: Empty containers may contain product residue, rinse or triple rinse before recycling or disposal, follow regulations for drum/container recycling
Special Precautions: Avoid release to environment, don’t pour into drains, surface water, or soil
Recycling: Some facilities reclaim and distill used brake fluid for energy recovery or re-blending
UN Number: Not regulated for ground transportation due to low hazard classification; check regional guidance for possible exceptions
Proper Shipping Name: Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid, Non-Hazardous
Hazard Classification: Not classified as dangerous goods under ADR, IATA, IMDG
Packing Group: Not applicable
Special Precautions: Ensure containers remain upright and do not leak during transport
Environmental Risks: Prevent accidental leaks into surface water during loading/unloading
OSHA Status: This product considered hazardous under 29 CFR 1910.1200
TSCA Status: All ingredients listed on U.S. TSCA chemical inventory
WHMIS Classification: D2B (toxic), Canadian regulations
SARA Title III: Contains components subject to reporting under Section 311/312
EU Regulations: Classified and labeled as per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008
Other International Regulations: Meets chemical notification requirements in key markets (Japan, Australia, Korea)
Label Elements: Product label should feature hazard pictograms, appropriate risk and safety phrases, and GHS classification info
