Ethanol

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

EYES: Immediately flood the eye with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, holding the eye open.  Remove contact lenses if possible.  Obtain medical attention.

SKIN: Wash skin with water.  Obtain medical attention if soreness or redness persists.

INGESTION: Do not induce vomiting.   Obtain medical attention if symptoms appear or if large quantities have been ingested.  Accidental ingestion at a level high enough to be dangerous to health is unlikely.  

INHALATION: Remove from exposure, taking care to avoid inhaling vapours.  Keep warm rest.  Obtain medical attention if symptoms appear

Fire-fighting measures

EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM: Dry chemical, alcohol resistant foam or carbon dioxide, water spray.

SPECIAL EXPOSURE HAZARDS:  Flammable liquid and vapour.  Oxides of carbon

PROTECTION FOR FIRE-FIGHTERS: Self-contained breathing apparatus with full-face mask and full protective clothing (standard wear).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Be aware of possibility of re-ignition.  This product gives off  flammable vapours which may form explosive mixtures with air.  Vapours with a source of ignition can creat a flash fire, not a UVCE (Unconfined Vapour Cloud Explosion). Run off to sewer may cause fire or explosion hazard . Containers may explode in heat of fire. Use water to cool fire-exposed containers and to disperse vapour.

Accidental release measures

PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS: Eliminate all sources of ignition.  Wear appropriate protective clothing.  Avoid breathing vapours.  Keep unnecessary people away; isolate hazard area and deny entry.  Consider need for evacuation.  Stay up wind and keep out of low areas where vapour may accumulate and  ignite. Stop leak if this can be achieved without risk.  For small spills take up with a non-combustible absorbant. For large spills, dike or dam for later disposal.

ENVIRONMENTAL PRECAUTIONS: Try to prevent the material from entering drains or water courses.  Advise Authorities if spillage has entered water course or sewer or has contaminated soil or vegetation.

METHODS FOR CLEAN-UP: Small spills: Allow to evaporate if it is safe to do so or contain and absorb using earth, sand or other inert material then transfer into suitable containers for recovery or disposal.  Ventilate contaminated area thoroughly.  Large spills: Dike or dam to contain for later disposal.  Contact emergency authorities.

Handling and storage

HANDLING:  Store in tightly closed containers in cool, dry, isolated, well-ventilated area.  Avoid inhaling vapour.  Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing.  Suitable equipment for dealing with fires, spills and leaks must be readily available. Earth all equipment.   Use explosion protected electrical equipment and lighting.  Do not smoke eat or drink in areas of use and storage.  Use closed-system transfers wherever  possible. Earth (ground) lines and equipment used during transfer to reduce  possibility of static spark initiated fire or explosion

STORAGE:  Storage area should be cool, dry, well ventilated, out of direct sunlight and separated from oxidants and strong mineral acids.  Store in original containers.  Store away from sources of heat or ignition.  Storage tanks should have equipotential electrical bonding and be earthed.  Storage should be closed.  Incompatible materials: natural rubber, PVC, methyl-methacrylate plastics, polyamides, zinc, brass, aluminium under certain conditions.  Compatible materials: Stainless steel, titanium, cast bronze, cast iron, carbon steel, polypropylene, neoprene, nylon, viton, ceramic, carbon, glass.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

1170

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

ethanol (ethyl alcohol)

Chemical name:

ethanol

Language:

English

Labels:

Risk label: 3

Special provisions / remarks

Special provisions:

ADR/RID/SDNR: 274 to 330 - 601 - 640D.

Remarks:

Hazard code (Kemler code) 33.
Tunnel category (D/E)
Emergency response information card (ERIC): 3-09

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:

1170

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

ethanol

Chemical name:

ethanol

Language:

English

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

1170

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

ethanol (ethyl alcohol)

Chemical name:

ethanol

Labels:

Risk label: 3

Special provisions / remarks

Remarks:

Safety data sheet: F-E S-E

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

1170

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

ethanol (ethyl alcohol)

Chemical name:

ethanol

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Use of the basic principles of Industrial Hygiene will enable this material to be used safely.  Exposure to this material may be controlled in a number of ways.  The measures appropriate for a particular worksite depend on how the material is used and on the potential for exposure.  If engineering controls and work practices are not effective in preventing or controlling exposure, then suitable personal equipment, which is known  perform satisfactorily, should be used.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: Use with adequate ventilation.  In case of insufficient local exhaust  ventilation and/or handling with open equipment: Respiratory air fed breathing apparatus if there is a risk of exposure to high vapour concentrations.  If using a half mask: organic vapour catridge Ax type.

EYE PROTECTION: Safety goggles.

SKIN PROTECTION: Wear gloves with breakthrough times >480 minutes:  Nitrile rubber gloves.  Butyl rubber gloves.  (complying to EN 374-3) The exact choice of glove type depends on the type of work being undertaken.  Gloves should be chosen in consultation with a glove manufacturer and after a full assessment of the working conditions.  Gloves should be replaced regularly.

BODY PROTECTION: Standard work wear and safety boots for normal handling and use.

Stability and reactivity

CONDITIONS TO AVOID: High temperatures.  Proximity to sources of ignition

MATERIALS TO AVOID: Strong mineral acids, oxidising agents. Aluminium at higher temperatures.

HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: Stable under normal conditions.  Combustion will generate oxides of carbon.

Disposal considerations

SUBSTANCE DISPOSAL: Dispose of in accordance with all applicable local and national regulations.  Use recovery/recycling where feasible, otherwise incineration is the recommended method of disposal.  If correctly incinerated this material will decompose to carbon dioxide and water only.

CONTAINER DISPOSAL:  Empty containers may contain hazardous residues.  Do not cut, puncture or weld on or near to the container.   Labels should not be removed from containers until they have been cleaned.  Contaminated containers must not be treated as household waste.  Containers should be cleaned by appropriate methods and then re-used or disposed of by landfill or incineration as appropriate.  Do not incinerate closed containers.