ETHYLENE OXIDE WITH NITROGEN

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
4 3 2	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent 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

A nonflammable colorless gas. Vapors heavier than air. May asphyxiate by the displacement of air, especially in confined places.

• Polymerizable

No rapid reaction with air. No rapid reaction with water.

Excerpt from 119 [Gases - Toxic - Flammable; polymerization hazard]:

Flammable; may be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May form explosive mixtures with air. Ethylene oxide (UN1040) may react explosively even in the absence of air. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Some of these materials may react violently with water. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and flammable gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 119 [Gases - Toxic - Flammable; polymerization hazard]:

TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Some may cause severe skin burns and eye damage. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)

ETHYLENE OXIDE is a colorless gas at room temperature (b.p. 11°C) and a confirmed carcinogen. By itself, is highly flammable, severe explosion hazard when exposed to flame. The autoignition temperature may be as low as 140°C in presence of rust. Rapid compression of the vapor with air causes explosion. Ethylene oxide vapor may be initiated into explosive decomposition in absence of air [Hess, L. G., et al., Ind. Eng. Chem., 1950, 42, p. 1251]. Metal fittings containing magnesium, copper or silver should be avoided, since traces of acetylene in ethylene oxide may produce metal acetylides capable of detonating the vapor [MCA SD-38, 1971]. Violent polymerization occurs on contact with strong bases (alkali hydroxides, ammonia) or acids, amines, metallic potassium, oxides (aluminum oxide, iron oxide, rust), covalent halides (aluminum chloride, ferric chloride, tin(IV) chloride) [Gupta, A. K., J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 1949, 68, p. 179]. Violent reaction with m-nitroaniline, magnesium perchlorate, mercaptans, thiols, triethylamine [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 316].

• Epoxides
• Polymerizable Compounds

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
• Dirt/Earth

Excerpt from 119 [Gases - Toxic - Flammable; polymerization hazard]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: See ERG Tables 1 and 3 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1040 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck 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, 2020)

Excerpt from 119 [Gases - Toxic - Flammable; polymerization hazard]:

DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. FOR CHLOROSILANES, DO NOT USE WATER; use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.

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 engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 119 [Gases - Toxic - Flammable; 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. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. 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. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam to reduce vapors. 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, 2020)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 119(P) [Gases - Toxic - Flammable; polymerization hazard]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Epoxy ethane (-70°C, liquid)	75-21-8	Liquid								>180
Epoxy ethane (0°C, liquid)	75-21-8	Liquid							>480	>480	>480
Epoxy ethane (10% in HCFC)	75-21-8	Vapor								>480
Epoxy ethane (11°C, liquid)	75-21-8	Liquid				18
Epoxy ethane (gaseous)	75-21-8	Vapor		imm	imm	>480	126	>480	>480	>480	>480
Ethylene oxide (-70°C, liquid)	75-21-8	Liquid								>180
Ethylene oxide (0°C, liquid)	75-21-8	Liquid							>480	>480	>480
Ethylene oxide (10% in HCFC)	75-21-8	Vapor								>480
Ethylene oxide (11°C, liquid)	75-21-8	Liquid				18
Ethylene oxide (gaseous)	75-21-8	Vapor		imm	imm	>480	126	>480	>480	>480	>480

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(DuPont, 2023)

Excerpt from 119 [Gases - Toxic - Flammable; polymerization hazard]:

Call 911 or emergency medical service. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; wash face and mouth before giving artificial respiration. Use a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. In case of contact with liquefied gas, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing if adhering to skin. Keep victim calm and warm. Keep victim under observation. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. (ERG, 2020)

• ETHYLENE OXIDE WITH NITROGEN