Product Name: Propylene Glycol Methyl Ether
Synonyms: 1-Methoxy-2-propanol, PGME, Dowanol PM
CAS Number: 107-98-2
Manufacturers: Various, including Dow Chemical Company
Recommended Use: Solvent in paints, inks, cleaners
Contact Information: Emergency contact numbers usually available on the supplier website and the product label
Emergency Telephone: Poison control center or manufacturer’s designated emergency line
GHS Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 3), Eye irritation (Category 2A), Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure, Category 3, narcosis)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Flammable liquid and vapor, causes serious eye irritation, may cause drowsiness or dizziness
Pictograms: Flame, exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames, use in a well-ventilated area, wear protective gloves/eye protection
Potential Health Effects: Inhalation causes respiratory tract irritation and possible CNS effects, eye exposure may sting and blur vision, prolonged skin contact might cause dryness or cracking
Chemical Name: 1-Methoxy-2-propanol
Common Name: Propylene Glycol Methyl Ether
Concentration: Typically between 98-100% for the pure solvent
CAS Number: 107-98-2
Impurities: Levels below thresholds for required disclosure; no significant impurities expected in standard grades
Other Ingredients: May contain trace stabilizers or antioxidants based on supplier practices, but pure PGME rarely has additives
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention if symptoms persist
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical advice
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water, get medical attention for persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, seek medical attention if irritation develops
Most Important Symptoms: Drowsiness, dizziness, respiratory tract irritation, burning in eyes
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Do not use direct water stream; may spread fire
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Protective Equipment: Full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus
Advice for Firefighters: Stay upwind, evacuate area, cool exposed tanks with water spray
Fire Hazards: Vapor may travel long distances to ignition source and flash back, containers may rupture when heated
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ventilate area, avoid breathing vapor
Protective Equipment: Gloves, goggles, use of respirators recommended for large spills
Environmental Precautions: Prevent liquid from entering drains, ditches, waterways
Cleanup Methods: Absorb spill on inert material (sand, earth, vermiculite), scoop into containers, use non-sparking tools
Disposal Considerations: Collect residues in labeled containers for proper disposal following local regulations
Reporting: Notify authorities if large spills might contaminate waterways or soil
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas, keep away from heat sources and open flames, ground and bond containers during transfer
Hygiene: Avoid skin and eye contact, do not inhale vapors, remove contaminated clothing and wash hands after use
Storage: Store tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, keep away from incompatibles such as acids, oxidizing agents, and strong bases
Special Practices: Antistatic measures may help during bulk handling, signage for flammable liquid storage required
Incompatible Materials: Avoid storing with strong oxidizers and acids to reduce fire and chemical reaction risk
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 50 ppm TWA, OSHA PEL: 100 ppm TWA
Ventilation: Use localized exhaust ventilation in confined spaces
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), splash goggles, flame-retardant clothing
Respiratory Protection: If exposure limits exceeded or in case of inadequate ventilation, use NIOSH-approved organic vapor respirators
Workplace Monitoring: Routine air sampling to check vapor levels, maintenance of ventilation apparatus
Other Controls: Keep emergency eyewash and safety showers readily accessible; good housekeeping practices help prevent buildup of vapors
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Mild ether-like
Molecular Weight: 90.1 g/mol
Boiling Point: 120°C (248°F)
Melting Point: -96°C
Flash Point: 31-33°C (closed cup)
Solubility: Miscible with water and most common organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: 10 mmHg at 20°C
Density: 0.92 g/cm³
pH: Not applicable (neutral in water)
Evaporation Rate: Slower than diethyl ether, faster than water
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): -0.43
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Reactvity: May react with strong acids, bases, and oxidizers
Hazardous Reactions: At high temperatures or in contact with incompatible materials, risk of exothermic reactions with rapid pressure buildup
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sparks, open flames, static electricity
Hazardous Decomposition: Burning produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and potentially small amounts of formaldehyde
Polymerization: Not likely to polymerize under normal conditions
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity by all routes; oral LD50 (rat) ~ 4,000 mg/kg
Skin and Eye Irritation: Moderate irritation possible from direct exposure
Inhalation Effects: High concentrations can cause narcosis, drowsiness, dizziness, respiratory discomfort
Chronic Toxicity: No evidence of long-term carcinogenicity or reproductive toxicity in humans; high dose animal studies occasionally show liver/kidney effects
Medical Conditions Aggravated: Asthma, dermatitis, chronic respiratory disease
Sensitization: Not classified as a skin or respiratory sensitizer
Environmental Fate: Rapidly biodegradable in water and soil, low bioaccumulation potential
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish, 96h) > 1000 mg/L
Soil Mobility: High mobility in soil, can migrate to groundwater, but breaks down quickly
Persistence and Degradability: Readily degraded by microbes, unlikely to persist in environment
Ecotoxicity: Not expected to cause long-term adverse effects in aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems
Other Adverse Effects: Not classified as hazardous to ozone or as a significant source of environmental harm based on current studies
Waste Handling: Collect and place in properly labeled, sealed containers for recycling or incineration at approved facilities
Regulations: Subject to local, state, and federal waste disposal laws; typically not classified as hazardous waste unless mixed with regulated contaminants
Methods: Do not dump into sewers, waterways, or on the ground; treat spill residues as chemical waste
Empty Containers: Flush containers thoroughly before disposal or recycling, avoid reuse unless cleaned by professionals
Other: Document and report larger than minor accidental releases to environmental authorities
UN Number: UN 3092
Shipping Name: 1-Methoxy-2-propanol
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquid)
Packing Group: III
Labels: Flammable Liquid
Marine Pollutant: Not classified
Special Precautions: Secure cargo to prevent movement, use approved containers and check local requirements; temperature control may reduce risk
Regulation Reference: Follows ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA guidelines for dangerous goods
OSHA: Classified as flammable, subject to hazard communication standards
TSCA: Listed on the Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
SARA Title III: Not classified under extremely hazardous substances, but subject to routine reporting for workplace chemical inventories
WHMIS (Canada): B3 (Combustible Liquid), D2B (Poisonous and Infectious Material)
State: California Prop 65: Not listed as carcinogen or reproductive toxin
Other Regulations: Subject to workplace safety regulations, aviation/transport restrictions for flammable liquids, and environmental reporting for large releases
