ETHYLENE OXIDE AND PROPYLENE OXIDE MIXTURE, WITH NOT MORE THAN 30% ETHYLENE OXIDE

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
4 3 3	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	4	Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
	Instability	3	Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction but requires a strong initiating source or must be heated under confinement before initiation.
	Special

Clear colorless to light-colored liquids. About the same density as water. Vapors heavier than air. Used as a solvent and to make other chemicals.

• Highly Flammable
• Polymerizable

Highly flammable. Slightly soluble in water.

Excerpt from 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic; polymerization hazard]:

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. CAUTION: Methanol (UN1230) will burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.) Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). Vapor explosion and poison hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids will float on water. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic; polymerization hazard]:

TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)

During manufacture of ethanolamine, an excess of ammonia during a period of high pressure resulted in an ammonia-ethylene oxide explosion, [MCA Case History 792(1962)]. Alkali metal hydroxides, acids, anhydrous chlorides of iron, tin, and aluminum, pure oxides of iron and aluminum, and metallic potassium are some of the catalysts that may cause ethylene oxide to rearrange and polymerize, liberating heat, [J. Soc. Chem. Ind. 68:179(1949)]. Explosions occur , although infrequently, from the combination of ethylene oxide and alcohols or mercaptans, [Chem. Eng. News 20:1318(1942)]. Drying ethylene oxide with magnesium perchlorate resulted in an explosion, [NSC Newsletter, Chem. Soc. (1959)].

• 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 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic; polymerization hazard]:

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

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

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)

Excerpt from 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic; polymerization hazard]:

CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient. CAUTION: Methanol (UN1230) will burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.).

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

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

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)

Excerpt from 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic; 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.

SMALL SPILL: Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers for later disposal. 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)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 131(P) [Flammable Liquids - Toxic; 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
Epoxy propane, 1,2-	75-56-9	Liquid				47	43	13*/20	>480	>480	>480
Propylene oxide, 1,2-	75-56-9	Liquid				47	43	13*/20	>480	>480	>480

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)

Excerpt from 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic; 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. Wash skin with soap and 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. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. (ERG, 2020)

• ETHYLENE OXIDE AND PROPYLENE OXIDE MIXTURE, WITH NOT MORE THAN 30% ETHYLENE OXIDE
• ETHYLENE OXIDE-PROPYLENE OXIDE MIXTURE
• PROPYLENE OXIDE AND ETHYLENE OXIDE MIXTURE, WITH NOT MORE THAN 30% ETHYLENE OXIDE