Chemical Datasheet
ETHYLENE |
|
Chemical Identifiers
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The
Chemical Identifier fields
include common identification numbers, the
NFPA diamond
U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general
description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes
from a variety of
data sources.
| CAS Number | UN/NA Number | DOT Hazard Label | USCG CHRIS Code |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
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| NIOSH Pocket Guide | International Chem Safety Card | ||
| none | |||
NFPA 704
| Diamond | Hazard | Value | Description | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Health
|
2 | Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury. | |||||||||
Flammability
|
4 | Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature. | ||||||||||
Instability
|
2 | Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures. | ||||||||||
Special
|
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless gas with a sweet odor and taste. It is lighter than air. It is easily ignited and a flame can easily flash back to the source of the leak. Under prolonged exposure to fire or heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. Can cause explosion.
Hazards
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The
Hazard fields
include
special hazard alerts
air and water
reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and
details about
reactive groups assignments
and
potentially incompatible absorbents.
The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of
data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
- Highly Flammable
- Polymerizable
- Peroxidizable Compound
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Vapors are anesthetic.
Behavior in Fire: Container may explode. (USCG, 1999)
Behavior in Fire: Container may explode. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Moderate concentration in air causes drowsiness, dizziness, and unconsciousness. Overexposure causes headache, drowsiness, muscular weakness. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
Peroxidizable monomer may initiate exothermic polymerization of the bulk material [Bretherick 1979. p. 160]. Ethylene in the presence of aluminum chloride may undergo a violent reaction [J. Inst. Pet. 33:254. 1947]. Ozone and ethylene react explosively [Berichte 38:3837]. Ethylene can polymerize at low pressure if catalyzed by titanium halides. (Sundaram, K. M, M. M. Shreehan, E. F. Olszewski. "Ethylene." Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2001.)
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...
- Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
- Dirt/Earth
Response Recommendations
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The
Response Recommendation fields
include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for
firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The
information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of
data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 116 
[Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 800 meters (1/2 mile).
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
[Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 800 meters (1/2 mile).
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 116 [Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:
DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray or fog. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)
[Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray or fog. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 116 [Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2024)
[Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Organic vapor canister or air-supplied mask. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Remove victim to fresh air, give artificial respiration and oxygen if breathing has stopped, and call a physician. (USCG, 1999)
Physical Properties
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The
Physical Property fields
include properties such as vapor pressure and
boiling point, as well as explosive limits and
toxic exposure thresholds
The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of
data sources.
Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
| Chemical Formula: |
|
Flash Point:
-213°F
(approx.)
(USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL):
2.75 %
(USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL):
28.6 %
(USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature:
842°F
(USCG, 1999)
Melting Point:
-272.4°F
(USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
0.569
at -154.84°F
(USCG, 1999)
- Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point:
-154.7°F
at 760 mmHg
(USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight:
28.05
(USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
No AEGL information available.ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
No ERPG information available.PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
| Chemical | PAC-1 | PAC-2 | PAC-3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethylene (74-85-1) | 600 ppm | 6600 ppm  |
40000 ppm  |
LEL = 27000 ppm |
indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. indicates value is 100% or more of LEL.(DOE, 2024)
Regulatory Information
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The
Regulatory Information fields
include information from
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of
Lists,
the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility
Anti-Terrorism Standards,
and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's
Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List
(see more about these
data sources).
EPA Consolidated List of Lists
| Regulatory Name | CAS Number/ 313 Category Code |
EPCRA 302 EHS TPQ |
EPCRA 304 EHS RQ |
CERCLA RQ | EPCRA 313 TRI |
RCRA Code |
CAA 112(r) RMP TQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethene | 74-85-1 | X | 10000 pounds | ||||
| Ethylene | 74-85-1 | 313 | 10000 pounds |
- "X" indicates that this is a second name for an EPCRA section 313 chemical already included on this consolidated list. May also indicate that the same chemical with the same CAS number appears on another list with a different chemical name.
(EPA List of Lists, 2024)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
| RELEASE | THEFT | SABOTAGE | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical of Interest | CAS Number | Min Conc | STQ | Security Issue |
Min Conc | STQ | Security Issue |
Min Conc | STQ | Security Issue |
| Ethylene; [Ethene] | 74-85-1 | 1.00 % | 10000 pounds | flammable | ||||||
(CISA, 2007)
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.Alternate Chemical Names
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This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical,
including trade names and synonyms.
- ACETENE
- BICARBURRETTED HYDROGEN
- ELAYL
- ETHENE
- ETHYLENE
- ETHYLENE, COMPRESSED
- OLEFIANT GAS
Web site owner:
Office of Response and Restoration
,
National Ocean Service,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
USA.gov.
CAMEO Chemicals version 3.1.0 rev 1.