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Chemical Datasheet

ACETALDEHYDE

3 - Flammable liquid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 75-07-0   (ACETALDEHYDE)
  • 1089
  • Flammable Liquid
  • AAD
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Acetaldehyde
  • ACETALDEHYDE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
4
2 2
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 4 Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
Yellow Instability 2 Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A clear colorless liquid with a pungent choking odor. Flash point -36°F. Boiling point 69°F. Density 6.5 lb / gal. Vapors are heaver than air and irritate the mucous membranes and especially the eyes. Used to make other chemicals.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Easily oxidized by air to form unstable peroxides which may explode. Forms explosive mixture with air above 100°C (30-60% of the vapor in air) owing to formation of peroxyacetic acid [White, A. G. et al., J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 1950, 69, p. 206]. Soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Produces irritating vapor when heated

Behavior in Fire: Vapors are heavier than air and may travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Breathing vapors will be irritating and may cause nausea, vomiting, headache, and unconsciousness. Contact with eyes may cause burns and eye damage. Skin contact from clothing wet with the chemical causes burns or severe irritation. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
ACETALDEHYDE undergoes a vigorously exothermic condensation reaction in contact with strong acids, bases or traces of metals. Can react vigorously with oxidizing reagents such as dinitrogen pentaoxide, hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, silver nitrate, etc. Contamination often leads either to reaction with the contaminant or polymerization, both with the evolution of heat. Can react violently with acid anhydrides, alcohols, ketones, phenols, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, halogens, phosphorus, isocyanates, concentrated sulfuric acid, and aliphatic amines. Reactions with cobalt chloride, mercury(II) chlorate or perchlorate form sensitive, explosive products [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 5]. An oxygenation reaction of acetaldehyde in the presence of cobalt acetate at -20°C exploded violently when stirred. The event was ascribed to peroxyacetate formation [Phillips B. et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1957, 79, p. 5982].
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.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 129 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious); polymerization hazard]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 129 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious); polymerization hazard]:

CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam. Do not use dry chemical extinguishers to control fires involving nitromethane (UN1261) or nitroethane (UN2842).

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: 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. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 129 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious); 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. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Acetaldehyde:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Acetaldehyde 75-07-0 Liquid 19 imm >480 >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.
"imm" indicates immediate; having a normalized breakthrough time of 10 minutes or less.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Volatile chemicals have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting which increases the medical problems. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital.

OTHER: Since this chemical is a known or suspected carcinogen you should contact a physician for advice regarding the possible long term health effects and potential recommendation for medical monitoring. Recommendations from the physician will depend upon the specific compound, its chemical, physical and toxicity properties, the exposure level, length of exposure, and the route of exposure. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C2H4O
Flash Point: -40°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 4 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 57 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: 365°F; 300°F; 347°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -190.3°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 400 mmHg at 40.8°F ; 760 mmHg at 68.4°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 1.52 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 0.78 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 70°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 44.06 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: 0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL at 66°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 10.22 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 2000 ppm ; A potential occupational carcinogen. (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for Acetaldehyde (75-07-0)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 45 ppm 340 ppm 1100 ppm
30 minutes 45 ppm 340 ppm 1100 ppm
60 minutes 45 ppm 270 ppm 840 ppm
4 hours 45 ppm 170 ppm 530 ppm
8 hours 45 ppm 110 ppm 260 ppm
Level of Distinct Odor Awareness (LOA) = 0.56 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Acetaldehyde (75-07-0) 10 ppm star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 200 ppm 1000 ppm
star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Acetaldehyde (75-07-0) 45 ppm 270 ppm 840 ppm LEL = 40000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

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
Acetaldehyde 75-07-0 1000 pounds 313 U001 10000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

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
Acetaldehyde 75-07-0 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Acetaldehyde 75-07-0 2500 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names