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Global Product Strategy (GPS) Safety Summary
Mono Ethylene Glycol
This GPS Safety Summary is a high-level summary intended to provide the general public with an overview of product safety information on this chemical substance. It is not intended to provide emergency response, medical or treatment information, nor to provide an overview of all safety and health information. This summary is not intended to replace the Safety Data Sheet. For detailed guidance on the use or regulatory status of this substance, please consult the Safety Data Sheet, the Product Safety Bulletin and the Product Stewardship Bulletin (PSB).
Chemical Identity
Name: Monoethylene Glycol Brand names: Mono Ethylene Glycol Chemical name (IUPAC): Ethan -1, 2 - diol CAS number: 107-21- EC number: 203-473- Molecular formula: C 2 H 6 O (^2)
Uses and Applications
Mono ethylene glycol, commonly referred to as EG, ethylene glycol, or MEG, is the largest volume product of all ethylene glycols. Mono ethylene glycol is available in four grades: polyester, high purity, industrial and antifreeze.
Polyester grade mono ethylene glycol is used in the manufacture of polyester fibers and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resins which are used in the production of products such as textiles, tire cords, videotapes, and soft drink and water containers. Polyester mono ethylene glycol meets the highest quality standards.
High purity and industrial grade mono ethylene glycol is used in a variety of applications requiring good solvent, hygroscopic or high boiling point characteristics, such as paints, printing inks, hydraulic fluids, cleaners, heat transfer fluids and electronics.
Antifreeze grade mono ethylene glycol is a major component in automotive engine coolants.
Physical / Chemical Properties
Mono ethylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, and slightly viscous liquid, more hygroscopic than glycerol and miscible with water in all proportions. The flash point for mono ethylene glycol is 111°C (232°F). The boiling point and freezing points are 197°C (387°F) and -13°C (8.6°F) respectively.
Health Effects
Mono ethylene glycol has been classified as hazardous under Globally Harmonized System on Classification and Labeling (GHS) for its health effects.
The table below gives an overview of the health effects assessment results for mono ethylene glycol.
Effect Assessment Result Acute Toxicity Oral / inhalation / dermal
Low acute toxicity by the oral, dermal and inhalation routes of exposure.. Accidental or intentional ingestions in humans, however, have caused poisoning and death. Ingestion may cause CNS depression and neurological changes, damage to the digestive tract, lungs, liver, brain, and kidneys. Irritation / corrosion Skin / eye/ respiratory tract
Mild skin and eye irritant. High aerosol concentrations may cause respiratory irritation. Sensitization Not expected to be a sensitizer. Toxicity after repeated exposure Oral / inhalation / dermal
The kidney is the primary target organ for toxicity.
Genotoxicity / Mutagenicity Not genotoxic / Not mutagenic. Carcinogenicity Not carcinogenic. Toxicity for reproduction May cause toxicity to reproduction and may be toxic to embryo/fetal development at high exposure levels.
Environmental Effects
Effect Assessment Result Aquatic Toxicity Low toxicity to aquatic organisms.
Fate and behavior Result Biodegradation Biodegradable under aerobic conditions. Bioaccumulation potential Not expected to bioaccumulate.
Exposure
Human health Mono ethylene glycol may be present in a variety of products sold to consumers. Consumers should follow all product label instructions.
Personnel exposure to mono ethylene glycol in manufacturing facilities is considered very low because the process, storage and handling operations are enclosed. However, worker exposure can potentially occur during operations such as product transfer, product sampling, or maintenance / repair activities on product containing systems. The risk of accidental exposure should be controlled by selecting and applying the appropriate Risk Management Measures.
Under the Globally Harmonized System on Classification and Labeling (GHS) substances are classified according to their physical, health and environmental hazards. The hazards are communicated via specific labels on the product packaging and the Safety Data Sheet. GHS attempts to standardize hazard communication so that the intended audience (workers, consumers, transport workers, and emergency responders) can better understand the hazards of the chemicals in use.
For a detailed overview of the classification and labeling of this substance, please refer to the regional Safety Data Sheet, which can be found on the LyondellBasell corporate website.
Conclusion Statements
- Mono ethylene glycol is used in the manufacture of polymers which go into a number of products including textiles, tire cords, video tapes, and soft drink and water containers. It is also used in paints, printing inks, hydraulic fluids, cleaners, heat transfer fluids, electronics and automotive engine coolants.
- Mono ethylene glycol has been classified as hazardous. The main hazards are low acute toxicity via the oral route of exposure and repeated exposure damage to the kidney. Accidental or intentional ingestions in humans, however, have caused poisoning and death.
- Mono ethylene glycol shows low toxicity to aquatic organisms, is biodegradable under aerobic conditions and is not expected to bio-accumulate.
Contact Information within Company
For further information on this product in general, please consult the LyondellBasell corporate website (www.lyb.com).
Date of issue
Date of issue: 4 June 2015.
Disclaimer
Before using a product sold by a company of the LyondellBasell family of companies, users should make their own independent determination that the product is suitable for the intended use and can be used safely and legally. SELLER MAKES NO WARRANTY; EXPRESS OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY WARRANTY) OTHER THAN AS SEPARATELY AGREED TO BY THE PARTIES IN A CONTRACT.
This product(s) may not be used in: (i) any U.S. FDA Class I, Health Canada Class I, and/or European Union Class I medical devices, without prior notification to Seller for each specific product and application; or (ii) the manufacture of any of the following, without prior written approval by Seller for each specific product and application: U.S. FDA Class II Medical Devices; Health Canada Class II or Class III Medical Devices; European Union Class II Medical Devices; film, overwrap and/or product
packaging that is considered a part or component of one of the aforementioned medical devices; packaging in direct contact with a pharmaceutical active ingredient and/or dosage form that is intended for inhalation, injection, intravenous, nasal, ophthalmic (eye), digestive, or topical (skin) administration; tobacco related products and applications, electronic cigarettes and similar devices, and pressure pipe or fittings that are considered a part or component of a nuclear reactor. Additionally, the product(s) may not be used in: (i) U.S. FDA Class III Medical Devices; Health Canada Class IV Medical Devices; European Class III Medical Devices; (ii) applications involving permanent implantation into the body; (iii) life-sustaining medical applications; and (iv) lead, asbestos or MTBE related applications. All references to U.S. FDA, Health Canada, and European Union regulations include another country’s equivalent regulatory classification.
Users should review the applicable Safety Data Sheet before handling the product.
All information (“Information”) contained herein is provided without compensation and is intended to be general in nature. You should not rely on it in making any decision. LyondellBasell accepts no responsibility for results obtained by the application of this Information, and disclaims liability for all damages, including without limitation, direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary or punitive damages, alleged to have been caused by or in connection with the use of this Information. LyondellBasell disclaims all warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, that might arise in connection with this information.
Mono ethylene glycol is a product of Equistar Chemicals, LP.
