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Chemical Datasheet

CARBON DIOXIDE AND ETHYLENE OXIDE MIXTURE, WITH MORE THAN 9% BUT NOT MORE THAN 87% ETHYLENE OXIDE

2.1 - Flammable gas

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 124-38-9   (CARBON DIOXIDE)
  • 75-21-8   (ETHYLENE OXIDE)
  • 1041
  • Flammable Gas
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Ethylene oxide
  • CARBON DIOXIDE
  • ETHYLENE OXIDE
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Ethylene oxide-carbon dioxide mixture is a colorless gas with an ether-like odor. Carbon dioxide is noncombustible. Ethylene oxide is flammable. The mixture can asphyxiate by displacement of air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. It is used as a fumigant.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Carbon dioxide is water soluble, and forms carbonic acid, a mild acid in water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Will form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. CAUTION: Hydrogen (UN1049), Deuterium (UN1957), Hydrogen, refrigerated liquid (UN1966), Methane (UN1971) and Hydrogen and Methane mixture, compressed (UN2034) are lighter than air and will rise. Hydrogen and Deuterium fires are difficult to detect since they burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.) Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release flammable gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning. Some may be irritating if inhaled at high concentrations. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
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]. Dusts of magnesium, lithium, potassium, sodium, zirconium, titanium, and some magnesium-aluminum alloys, and heated aluminum, chromium, and magnesium when suspended in carbon dioxide are ignitable and explosive. This is especially true in the presence of strong oxidizers, such as peroxides. The presence of carbon dioxide in solutions of aluminum hydride in ether can cause violent decomposition on warming the residue, [J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1948, 70, 877]. Dangers arising from the use of carbon dioxide in the fire prevention and extinguishing systems of confined volumes of air and flammable vapors are examined. The hazard associated with its use centers around the fact that large electrostatic discharges may be created that initiate explosion, [Quart. Saf. Summ., 1973, 44(1740, 10]. Contact of very cold liquefied gas with water may result in vigorous or violent boiling of the product and extremely rapid vaporization due to the large temperature differences involved. If the water is hot, there is the possibility that a liquid "superheat" explosion may occur. Pressures may build to dangerous levels if liquid gas contacts water in a closed container [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980].
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 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

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 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. In fires involving Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) (UN1075), Butane (UN1011), Butylene (UN1012), Isobutylene (UN1055), Propylene (UN1077), Isobutane (UN1969), and Propane (UN1978), also refer to BLEVE - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (ERG page 366). (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED. CAUTION: Hydrogen (UN1049), Deuterium (UN1957), Hydrogen, refrigerated liquid (UN1966) and Hydrogen and Methane mixture, compressed (UN2034) will burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.).

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. CAUTION: For LNG - Liquefied natural gas (UN1972) pool fires, DO NOT USE water. Use dry chemical or high-expansion foam.

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. 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 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

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. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. CAUTION: For LNG - Liquefied natural gas (UN1972), DO NOT apply water, regular or alcohol-resistant foam directly on spill. Use a high-expansion foam if available to reduce vapors. Prevent spreading of vapors through sewers, ventilation systems and confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. CAUTION: When in contact with refrigerated/cryogenic liquids, many materials become brittle and are likely to break without warning. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 115 [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. Always wear thermal protective clothing when handling refrigerated/cryogenic liquids. (ERG, 2020)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
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
> 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
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

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. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. Clothing frozen to the skin should be thawed before being removed. 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. (ERG, 2020)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • CO2 (carbon dioxide)
  • C2H4O (ethylene oxide)
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: data unavailable
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: 10.56 eV [From NPG: Ethylene oxide] (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 800 ppm ; A potential occupational carcinogen. [From NPG: Ethylene oxide] (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Ethylene oxide (75-21-8)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR 80 ppm 360 ppm
30 minutes NR 80 ppm 360 ppm
60 minutes NR 45 ppm 200 ppm
4 hours NR 14 ppm 63 ppm
8 hours NR 7.9 ppm 35 ppm
NR = Not recommended
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Ethylene Oxide (75-21-8) NA 50 ppm 500 ppm
NA = not appropriate.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Ethylene oxide; (Oxirane) (75-21-8) 5 ppm 45 ppm 200 ppm LEL = 30000 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
Ethylene oxide 75-21-8 1000 pounds 10 pounds 10 pounds 313 U115 10000 pounds
Oxirane 75-21-8 1000 pounds 10 pounds 10 pounds X U115 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
Ethylene oxide; [Oxirane] 75-21-8 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Ethylene Oxide 75-21-8 5000 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names