ETHYL LACTATE

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
2 3 0	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	2	Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
	Instability	0	Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
	Special

A clear colorless liquid with a mild odor. Flash point 115°F. Denser than water and soluble in water. Vapors heavier than air.

none

Flammable. Soluble in water.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. 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 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, 2024)

Inhalation of concentrated vapor may cause drowsiness. Contact with liquid causes mild irritation of eyes and (on prolonged contact) skin. Ingestion may cause narcosis. (USCG, 1999)

ETHYL LACTATE is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides.

• Alcohols and Polyols
• Esters, Sulfate Esters, Phosphate Esters, Thiophosphate Esters, and Borate Esters

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

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents

Excerpt from ERG Guide 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

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 tank car or highway tank 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, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

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, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY 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. 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)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

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, 2024)

Goggles or face shield; rubber gloves. (USCG, 1999)

No information available.

INHALATION: remove victim to fresh air.

EYES and SKIN: flush well with water.

INGESTION: induce vomiting; get medical attention. (USCG, 1999)

• ACTYLOL
• ACYTOL
• DL-ETHYL LACTATE
• DL-LACTIC ACID, ETHYL ESTER
• ETHYL 2-HYDROXYPROPANOATE
• ETHYL 2-HYDROXYPROPIONATE
• (.+-.)-ETHYL 2-HYDROXYPROPIONATE
• ETHYL ALPHA-HYDROXYPROPIONATE
• ETHYL DL-LACTATE
• ETHYL LACTATE
• (.+-.)-ETHYL LACTATE
• ETHYL RAC-LACTATE
• 2-HYDROXYPROPANOIC ACID ETHYL ESTER
• (.+-.)-LACTIC ACID ETHYL ESTER
• LACTIC ACID, ETHYL ESTER
• PURASOLV ELS
• SOLACTOL