Product name: Diethylene Glycol
Chemical formula: C4H10O3
Synonyms: DEG
Appearance: Clear, colorless, odorless, hygroscopic liquid
Uses: Solvent in resins and dyes, component in antifreeze, ingredient in brake fluids, plasticizer in surface coatings, humectant in tobacco, textile lubricant, intermediate for producing polyester resins
Source: Direct output from established Sinopec manufacturing units, produced alongside other ethylene glycol products via controlled hydrolysis of ethylene oxide, delivered largely in bulk tankers or drums suited to transportation requirements
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, Category 4), Eye irritation (Category 2A)
Hazard statements: Harmful if swallowed; causes serious eye irritation
Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Routes of exposure: Ingestion, inhalation, skin and eye contact
Effects: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort after ingestion; eye irritation; prolonged skin contact may cause redness or dryness
Long-term concerns: Kidney and liver effects possible with repeated or large exposures
Main Component: Diethylene Glycol (CAS: 111-46-6) with concentrations typically exceeding 99.5% purity in technical and industrial grades
Impurities: Trace monoethylene glycol or triethylene glycol depending on process control, water (<0.1%) due to hygroscopic nature unless protected by inert atmosphere or sealed storage
No intentional additives or stabilizers present in standard chemical grades
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air; monitor breathing; medical attention if symptoms persist
Skin contact: Rapidly remove contaminated clothing; flush exposed area thoroughly with water and mild soap
Eye contact: Rinse eyes continuously with water for several minutes; seek medical evaluation for persistent symptoms
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth; seek immediate professional medical care due to risk of toxicity
Key observation: Prompt response and supportive care remain crucial when ingestion amounts are suspected high—laboratory testing for metabolic panel usually recommended in hospital settings
Suitable extinguishing media: Water spray, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, dry powder
Unsuitable media: Avoid strong water jets—can disperse product
Hazardous combustion products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritating vapors
Firefighting instructions: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective gear, prevent runoff from contaminating waterways, cool exposed containers with water spray to avoid rupture under fire conditions
Flash point: Approx. 143°C (closed cup), which allows safer handling compared to lighter glycols, though fire risk increases with elevated storage temperatures
Personal precautions: Use proper personal protective equipment—goggles, gloves, chemical-resistant boots
Environmental precautions: Prevent migration to drains, soil, water bodies; alert environmental authorities in case of significant spillage
Containment: Use inert absorbents such as sand or vermiculite; sweep up carefully
Cleanup methods: Shovel collected material into labeled containers for disposal; thorough water wash for residue if conditions permit and drains are not impacted
Safe handling practices: Prevent contact with skin and eyes, minimize inhalation risk, avoid contamination with foodstuffs or drinking water
Static discharge: Ground and bond containers during transfer
Storage requirements: Maintain in closed, airtight containers constructed from compatible materials such as stainless steel or specific plastics; store in dry, well-ventilated areas; avoid direct sunlight and sources of heat
Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with strong oxidizers, strong acids, some strong metals
Bulk storage: Corrosion-resistant tanks with nitrogen blanketing mitigate water absorption and product degradation
Engineering controls: Local exhaust ventilation recommended in filling, unloading, or blending zones
Respiratory protection: Cartridge-type respirators for high-vapor area or accidental spillage
Skin protection: Impervious gloves (nitrile, PVC), long-sleeved work clothing
Eye protection: Tight-fitting chemical goggles
Workplace hygiene: Handwashing encouraged after handling, separate facilities for eating and drinking when working with this chemical on production floors
Occupational exposure limits: No established OSHA or EU OEL, though prudent precautions followed typical for industrial glycols due to reported toxicological profile
Appearance: Clear, colorless, almost odorless viscous liquid
Boiling point: 244-245°C
Melting point: -6.5°C
Flash point: 143°C (closed cup)
Water solubility: Completely miscible
Density: Approx. 1.12 g/cm³ at 20°C
Vapor pressure: Low; <0.01 kPa at 20°C
Viscosity: Moderately high; flow characteristic compares to light syrup
pH: Neutral in aqueous solutions
Chemical stability: Stable at standard temperatures and pressures
Hazardous reactions: May react with strong oxidizers such as nitric acid, chromates; excessive heating can generate breakdown products
Polymerization: Not known to polymerize under storage or typical use conditions
Thermal decomposition: Decomposes at elevated temperatures to form carbon oxides and possible aldehydes or acids; vapor generation in poorly ventilated, hot production rooms needs attention
Acute toxicity: Harmful if swallowed; oral LD50 (rat): about 12,000 mg/kg
Repeated exposure effects: Kidney or liver changes documented after large or repeated doses
Irritation: Moderate to severe eye irritation reported in animal studies
Carcinogenicity: Not classed as a human carcinogen by IARC or OSHA
Other effects: CNS depression possible at high doses; central metabolic pathway impact via metabolism to toxic acids
Workplace observation: No unusual risks with prudent precautions and proper engineering controls in Sinopec manufacturing sites
Mobility: High solubility supports movement in water
Persistence and degradability: Biodegrades readily under standard biological treatment conditions
Bioaccumulation: Likely to show low potential for accumulation in aquatic organisms
Aquatic toxicity: LC50 for fish (various species): 32,000 – 36,000 mg/L/96h
Environmental exposure: Waste collection and recycling in Sinopec facilities avoids direct release, compliance with local wastewater discharge criteria enforced under continuous inspection
Waste treatment: Chemical waste managed through licensed hazardous waste contractors; solvent recovery or incineration typical
Container disposal: Decontaminate drums before recycling; avoid landfilling untreated waste
Regulatory oversight: Disposal under local, regional, and national environmental regulations, strict chain-of-custody logs maintained to support internal audits
Land transport (ADR/RID): Not classified as dangerous for carriage
Sea transport (IMDG): Not regulated
Air transport (IATA): Not classified as hazardous
Product shipment: Bulk road tankers and IBCs designed to prevent leaks, emission controls at loading points to keep vapor exposure low
Spillage prevention: Established containment plans at manufacturing and storage points, adaptation to regional road and port standards
Global inventory status: Listed on inventories such as TSCA, EINECS, DSL, ENCS, AICS, and others
Classification: GHS and CLP harmonized labeling; hazard descriptions align with national chemical safety catalogues
Permissible uses: Production closely aligned with China REACH and other country-specific legislation relating to safe use in industrial applications
Labeling: Correct chemical identification and hazard statements used across supply chain to support downstream user safety initiatives
