Product Name: Monoethanolamine (MEA), also known as 2-Aminoethanol
Chemical Formula: C2H7NO
CAS Number: 141-43-5
Synonyms: Ethanolamine, Monoethanolaminium hydroxide
Product Use: Chemical intermediate, gas treating, emulsifiers, pH regulation, detergents, textiles
Manufacturer: Provided by supplier details on package
Contact:** Emergency phone, supplier address, website, and available safety resource lines should be included on product label or invoice slip
Classification: Corrosive to skin and eyes, acute oral and inhalation toxicity, environmental hazard
Label Elements: Corrosive pictogram, exclamation mark hazard symbol
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, harmful if swallowed or inhaled, may cause respiratory irritation
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapor, wear protective clothing and goggles, wash thoroughly after handling, IF ON SKIN remove clothing, rinse skin
Target Organs: Skin, eyes, respiratory system
Chemical Name: Monoethanolamine
Concentration: 99%—100% (technical grade)
Impurities: Water (trace), Diethanolamine (trace), not present above safety risk levels
Exposure Limits: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) set recommended limits
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep at rest, provide artificial respiration if not breathing, seek medical attention for breathing difficulty
Skin Contact: Immediately remove contaminated clothing, wash affected area thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical evaluation if symptoms appear
Eye Contact: Immediately rinse continuously with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids, remove contact lenses if present, seek prompt medical care
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, drink water only if fully conscious, consult medical staff immediately
Most Important Symptoms: Severe irritation, burns, pain, swelling, coughing, possible shortness of breath, potential long-term tissue damage
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, water spray for large fires
Unsuitable Media: Avoid direct water jet as it may spread product
Fire Hazards: Vapors may be toxic, hazardous combustion products include nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective fire-fighting gear
Special Procedures: Isolate area, remove containers from risk if safe, keep adjacent containers cool with spray
Personal Protection: Wear suitable gloves, goggles, chemical resistant footwear, avoid inhalation of vapors
Environmental Precautions: Prevent run-off to sewers or waterways, notify authorities if contamination occurs
Spill Response: Ventilate area well, contain spill with inert material, neutralize with dilute acid where safe, collect spillage in safe containers for disposal, wash area thoroughly after cleanup
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated zones, avoid contact with skin or eyes, never eat or drink in work area, keep away from incompatible chemicals such as acids, store in corrosion-resistant containers
Storage: Keep containers tightly closed in a dry well-ventilated area away from heat and flame, do not allow exposure to sunlight or temperature above 40°C, segregate from food and incompatible materials
Packaging Materials: Steel or lined drums rated for corrosive liquids, always check container integrity and labels
Engineering Measures: Local exhaust ventilation, mechanical general ventilation if needed
Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 3 ppm TWA (parts per million time-weighted average)
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, face shield, impervious gloves (nitrile, PVC, rubber), long-sleeve lab coat
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved respirators if airborne concentrations exceed limits
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, arms, and face thoroughly after handling, remove contaminated clothing immediately
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Ammonia-like, strong and unpleasant
pH: Strongly alkaline, approximately 12 (neat solution)
Boiling Point: 170°C (338°F)
Melting Point: 10.3°C (50.5°F)
Flash Point: 85°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Slower than water
Vapor Pressure: 0.4 mm Hg (at 20°C)
Solubility: Completely miscible with water
Specific Gravity: 1.018 (at 20°C)
Viscosity: 24 mPas (at 20°C)
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): -1.91
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Incompatibility: Oxidizing agents, acids, organic anhydrides, acid chlorides, copper and aluminum alloys
Hazardous Decomposition: Ammonia, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide
Polymerization: Will not occur under normal handling
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 1720 mg/kg; LC50 (inhalation, rat): 1.48 mg/l (4 hours); LD50 (dermal, rabbit): 1025 mg/kg
Health Effects: Causes burns, severe tissue damage, respiratory tract irritation, may cause headache, dizziness, nausea
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis, liver or kidney effects, asthma-like symptoms
Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Sensitization: No reliable evidence of respiratory/skin sensitization
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to fish and aquatic life, EC50 for Daphnia 65 mg/l/<24h, LC50 for fish 227 mg/l/<96h
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low (log Kow -1.91)
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to high water solubility
Other Adverse Effects: May cause pH shift or eutrophication with large spills to surface waters
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose in accordance with local, regional, national laws, small quantities can be neutralized carefully and treated at wastewater facilities
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers must be handled as hazardous, clean thoroughly before recycling or disposal
Special Precautions: Never dump into environment, avoid release to waterways, consult licensed waste disposal contractor for larger volumes
UN Number: UN 2491
Proper Shipping Name: Ethanolamines, liquid
Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: III
Labels: Corrosive symbol, ensure the package remains upright and securely closed
Special Precautions: Prevent exposure to incompatible substances during transport, ensure all documentation and labeling complies with international shipment regulations
U.S. Regulations: Listed on TSCA, SARA 302: not subject; SARA 313: not subject; OSHA: covered under HAZCOM standard
EU/REACH: Registered substance, subject to regulation on classification, labeling, and packaging of chemicals
Canada: WHMIS classification: D1B, E (corrosive / toxic), DSL: listed
Other International: Check MCC, IATA, IMDG, local jurisdiction for region-specific restrictions
Workplace Controls: Requires risk assessment, safety training, access to current MSDS and emergency procedures on site
