Product Name: Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate
Chemical Family: Alcohol ethoxylates
Product Use: Surfactants used in detergents, textile auxiliaries, and emulsifiers
Manufacturer: Provided on request
Contact Number: Emergency support line available 24/7
Synonyms: Alkanol ethoxylates, Ethoxylated fatty alcohols
CAS Number: 68439-46-3 (varies by ethoxylation number)
UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport
Emergency Overview: Colorless to pale yellow liquid with slight odor, not highly volatile, may form emulsions in water
Recommended Use Area: Industrial and professional settings only
GHS Classification: Eye Irritant Category 2, Skin Irritant Category 2, Aquatic Chronic Hazard Category 3
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation, may cause skin irritation, harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with eyes or skin, wash hands thoroughly after handling, prevent product from entering waterways
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, Environment
Potential Health Effects: Prolonged contact leads to redness or cracking of skin, eye contact can trigger severe discomfort, accidental inhalation of vapor may cause mild respiratory irritation
Target Organs: Skin, eyes, respiratory system
Routes of Exposure: Skin, eyes, inhalation
Physician Note: Treat symptomatically, avoid corticosteroids if allergic contact dermatitis emerges
Chemical Components: Primary ingredient – Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate (60–100%)
Typical Chain Length: C12–C18 alkyl chain with variable moles of ethylene oxide
Impurities: Ethylene oxide, sodium sulfate (trace), unreacted fatty alcohol (trace)
Additives: None routinely present
CAS Number Range: 68439-46-3 or substance-specific CAS depending on ethoxylation
Hazardous Components: None above thresholds requiring listing
Other Identifiers: Not classified as a carcinogen, not listed under IARC or NTP
Inhalation: Remove person from area to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical help for breathing difficulty
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash thoroughly with soap and water, seek medical attention for irritation that persists
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses, continue rinsing for at least fifteen minutes, immediate medical attention advised
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, do not induce vomiting, drink water if conscious, medical evaluation strongly recommended
Most Important Symptoms: Redness, burning, discomfort
Protective Measures for Responders: Avoid exposure, wear gloves and eye protection during response
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jet may spread material
Special Hazards: Product is not highly flammable, but may burn in intense fire, releases hazardous vapors including carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide upon decomposition
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear recommended
Specific Fire Response: Cool drums with water spray to prevent pressure build-up, contain contaminated fire water
Combustion Products: Carbon oxides, traces of ethylene oxide vapors if decomposition occurs
Personal Precautions: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and protective clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, watercourses, and soil
Containment: Stop leak if safe, dike area using inert material like sand or earth
Cleanup Methods: Soak up with absorbent material, collect and place into properly labeled containers for disposal
Decontamination: Wash area with water and detergent, ventilate enclosed spaces
Recommended Spill Equipment: Non-sparking tools and explosion-proof equipment in larger spills
Handling: Keep away from eyes and skin, use only with adequate ventilation, avoid generating mist or aerosol
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers, preferably under cool, dry conditions out of direct sunlight
Incompatibles: Acids, strong oxidizing agents
Special Storage Requirements: Keep away from food and beverages, segregate from incompatible substances
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face after handling, change contaminated clothing immediately
Maximum Storage Temperature: Suitable up to 40°C, avoid extremes to prevent degradation
Exposure Limits: No specific occupational exposure values established
Engineering Controls: Use mechanical ventilation in poorly ventilated settings
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety goggles or face shield, chemical-resistant gloves such as nitrile, long-sleeved clothing, and impervious footwear
Respiratory Protection: Use particulate filter or organic vapor respirator for aerosols or mist
Environmental Controls: Drainage protections, spill trays under process equipment, routine monitoring
Appearance: Transparent to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Faint and characteristic
pH: Typically 5.0–8.0 in aqueous solution
Melting/Freezing Point: Below 0°C depending on ethoxylation
Boiling Point and Range: Greater than 200°C
Flash Point: Greater than 150°C (closed cup method)
Auto-Ignition Temperature: More than 300°C
Explosive Properties: No notable explosive risk
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Solubility: Dispersible in water, soluble in alcohols, oils
Density: 0.97–1.05 g/cm³ at 20°C
Viscosity: Low to moderate, typically 30–100 mPa·s
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Below 2.0 usually, highly dependent on ethoxylate chain length
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal use and recommended storage
Reactivity: No hazardous reactivity expected in storage
Situations to Avoid: Prolonged exposure to heat or oxidizers, strong acids and bases
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon oxides, minor acids, traces of aldehydes
Polymerization: Product does not undergo dangerous polymerization
Material Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizing agents, peroxides, nitric acid
Storage Stability Period: Usually at least two years if kept sealed and cool
Acute Toxicity (Oral): LD50 greater than 2000 mg/kg (rat), low order of toxicity
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: May cause irritation in sensitive individuals on repeated contact
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Significant eye irritation, risk of transient injury if splashed into eyes
Respiratory Sensitization: Not known to cause sensitization
Skin Sensitization: Isolated reports exist but not typical
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated skin contact may lead to dermatitis
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic under current guidelines
Mutagenicity & Reproductive Toxicity: No relevant data indicating these effects at exposure levels common in workplaces
Other Information: Breakdown products (traces of ethylene oxide) can be hazardous in completely unventilated spaces
Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations, chronic exposure increases risk in waterways
Persistence and Degradability: Inherently biodegradable with extended timeframes, complete mineralization can exceed thirty days under certain conditions
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low, but varies with alkyl chain length
Mobility in Soil: Product is mobile and may migrate in water, not likely to volatilize
Aquatic Effects: Can cause long-lasting effects on algae or crustaceans, risk to fish exists mainly from concentrated accidental spill
Additional Notes: Dilution lowers hazard rapidly in large bodies of water
Waste Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous waste, comply with local, regional, and national regulations, do not discharge directly into drains or environment
Packing Disposal: Triple rinse containers, then puncture and recycle or dispose under controlled conditions
Sewage Disposal: Avoid disposal into sanitary sewer
Special Considerations: Incineration in compliance with approved environmental practices recommended
Contaminated Packaging: Handle with same precautions as unused product, seek hazardous waste specialist support
UN Number: Not regulated as dangerous goods under international transport regulations
Transport Hazard Class: Not applicable
Packing Group: Not classified
Marine Pollutant: Not specifically listed as marine pollutant, caution urged due to aquatic toxicity
Proper Shipping Name: Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate
Additional Transport Precautions: Prevent leaks, keep containers upright and secured, avoid transport with strong oxidizers
Emergency Response Guide Number: Not assigned, refer to local emergency protocols
TSCA Status: Listed
REACH Registrations: Pre-registered or fully registered depending on importer
SARA Title III: Not listed as extremely hazardous
DSL/NDSL (Canada): Listed
WHMIS Classification: D2B – Skin/eye irritant
European Inventory of Existing Chemicals (EINECS): Included
Other Labeling: Comply with OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, EU CLP, local workplace labeling requirements
Other Requirements: Risk phrases for eye irritation and aquatic environment, safety phrases for PPE and response
