Product Name: Diethanolamine
Chemical Formula: C4H11NO2
Other Names: 2,2’-Iminodiethanol; DEA
CAS Number: 111-42-2
Recommended Uses: Used in manufacturing surfactants, emulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors
Supplier Details: Manufacturer’s contact information available on request
Emergency Phone: National Poison Control, local fire department or company EHS team profile
Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral, Category 4), Skin Corrosion/Irritation (Category 2), Eye Damage/Irritation (Category 1), STOT Single Exposure (Respiratory)
Pictograms: Corrosive, Exclamation Mark, Health Hazard
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes serious eye damage, causes skin irritation, may cause damage to organs through prolonged exposure
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors, in case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection, wash thoroughly after handling, use chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection
Chemical Name: Diethanolamine
CAS Number: 111-42-2
Concentration: Minimum 98% for pure DEA, with traces of water, occasionally containing minor impurities or byproducts, depending on synthesis conditions
Impurities: Monoethanolamine (MEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) (usually below 2%)
General Notes: Move victim to fresh air, remove contaminated clothing immediately
Inhalation: Take person to open air, seek medical attention if symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, or throat irritation persist
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical attention for redness, blistering or persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes, keep eyelids open, do not allow victim to rub eyes, seek urgent medical treatment
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, provide water if conscious, call Poison Control or medical professional
Important Symptoms/Effects: Burning sensation, headache, dizziness, nausea, respiratory discomfort, severe eye pain and corneal injury possible
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide
Specific Hazards: Can release toxic fumes including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide when burning
Advice for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, protective suit, stay upwind, control runoff water to prevent environmental contamination
Flammability: Not flammable but vapors may irritate respiratory tract, heating above boiling point increases danger of hazardous decomposition fumes
Personal Precautions: Use protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and face shield, avoid breathing mist or vapor
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains, surface water or soil
Containment Methods: Stop leak if safe, dike area with sand or absorbent material
Cleanup Methods: Absorb with earth, sand, inert material, transfer into suitable containers for disposal, ventilate area, wash spill area after cleanup with plenty of water
Safe Handling: Keep containers tightly closed, avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, use only with adequate ventilation, do not eat or smoke around product
Storage Requirements: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place, avoid direct sunlight, keep away from strong acids, oxidizers, and incompatible materials
Incompatible Materials: Acids, oxidizing agents, nitrites, organic anhydrides, chloroformates
Packing Materials: Use steel or polyethylene-lined containers
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV 1 mg/m³ TWA (skin), NIOSH REL 3 mg/m³ TWA
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, safety shower and eyewash stations in work area
Personal Protective Equipment: Splash goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), protective clothing, face mask or respirator for vapor/mist exposure
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before breaks and after handling, remove contaminated clothing and equipment before entering eating areas
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow viscous liquid
Odor: Slight ammonia-like smell
pH (10 g/L water): 10.0–11.5
Melting Point: 28°C (82°F)
Boiling Point: 269°C (516°F)
Flash Point: 138°C (280°F) (closed cup)
Vapor Pressure: 0.03 mmHg at 20°C
Solubility: Completely miscible with water, alcohols
Specific Gravity: 1.09 at 20°C
Partition Coefficient (log Pow): -2.18
Viscosity: 352 mPa·s at 25°C
Evaporation Rate: Negligible (compared with water)
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions; product can darken with prolonged storage
Hazardous Reactions: Mixing with acids can release heat and hazardous vapors, strong oxidizers increase fire hazard, may form nitrosamines with nitrites (carcinogenic concern)
Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide with heat or fire
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, moisture, incompatible substances
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, eyes, ingestion
Short-Term Effects: Skin and eye irritation, respiratory tract irritation, gastrointestinal distress
Long-Term Effects: Skin sensitization, liver and kidney damage with repeated exposure, potential carcinogenicity via nitrosamines
LD50 (Oral, Rat): 710 mg/kg
LD50 (Dermal, Rabbit): 8,200 mg/kg
IARC Classification: Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans)
Symptoms at High Exposure: Coughing, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, possible pulmonary edema
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms, fish (LC50, 96 hr, Lepomis macrochirus: 1,460 mg/L), daphnia (EC50, 48 hr: 55 mg/L)
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable but breakdown can lower oxygen levels in water bodies
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely due to low partition coefficient; accumulation in aquatic food chains not expected
Mobility in Soil: High mobility; leaches into water table easily
Other Harmful Effects: Alters water chemistry, can disrupt aquatic environments if released directly in high concentrations
Waste Treatment Methods: Collect in tightly closed containers, do not pour into drains or sewers
Disposal: Dispose through licensed hazardous waste contractor in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations
Container Disposal: Triple rinse and render unusable before discarding as hazardous waste
Precautions: Avoid release to environment, comply with local and national regulations
UN Number: UN 2810
UN Proper Shipping Name: Toxic Liquid, Organic, N.O.S. (contains Diethanolamine)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Environmental Hazards: Hazardous to aquatic environment (per IMDG and IATA)
Special Precautions for Users: Wear appropriate PPE, ensure full labeling and hazard marking on transport vessels, avoid incompatible packaging
OSHA: Listed as hazardous
TSCA: Listed on US Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
REACH: Registered in EU, subject to certain restrictions
SARA Title III: Subject to reporting under Section 313 (Toxic Release Inventory)
California Proposition 65: Products containing DEA may require warning due to carcinogen listing (nitrosamine formation)
Other Regulations: WHMIS (Canada)—classified as D2A, D2B toxic material; restrictions apply in several jurisdictions due to suspected reproductive and carcinogenic effects
