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Chemical Datasheet

ETHYLENE

2.1 - Flammable gas

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 74-85-1   (ETHYLENE)
  • 1962
  • Flammable Gas
  • ETL
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • ETHYLENE
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 colorless gas with a sweet odor and taste. It is lighter than air. It is easily ignited and a flame can easily flash back to the source of the leak. Under prolonged exposure to fire or heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. Can cause explosion.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Vapors are anesthetic.

Behavior in Fire: Container may explode. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Moderate concentration in air causes drowsiness, dizziness, and unconsciousness. Overexposure causes headache, drowsiness, muscular weakness. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
Peroxidizable monomer may initiate exothermic polymerization of the bulk material [Bretherick 1979. p. 160]. Ethylene in the presence of aluminum chloride may undergo a violent reaction [J. Inst. Pet. 33:254. 1947]. Ozone and ethylene react explosively [Berichte 38:3837]. Ethylene can polymerize at low pressure if catalyzed by titanium halides. (Sundaram, K. M, M. M. Shreehan, E. F. Olszewski. "Ethylene." Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2001.)
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 ERG Guide 116 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:

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 tank car or highway tank 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, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 116 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Unstable); polymerization hazard]:

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

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.

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 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)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 116 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Unstable); 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. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. 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. 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, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Organic vapor canister or air-supplied mask. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Remove victim to fresh air, give artificial respiration and oxygen if breathing has stopped, and call a physician. (USCG, 1999)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C2H4
Flash Point: -213°F (approx.) (USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 2.75 % (USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 28.6 % (USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature: 842°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -272.4°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 0.569 at -154.84°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: -154.7°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 28.05 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Ethylene (74-85-1) 600 ppm 6600 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. 40000 ppm 3-flame icon indicates value is 100% or more of LEL. LEL = 27000 ppm
1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL.
3-flame icon indicates value is 100% or more of LEL.
(DOE, 2024)

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
Ethene 74-85-1 X 10000 pounds
Ethylene 74-85-1 313 10000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2024)

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; [Ethene] 74-85-1 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names