Material Safety Data Sheet for 1,2-Dibromoethane

Identification

Product Name: 1,2-Dibromoethane
Synonyms: Ethylene dibromide, EDB, Glycol bromide
Chemical Formula: C2H4Br2
CAS Number: 106-93-4
Recommended Use: Leaded gasoline additive, soil and grain fumigant, solvent
Supplier Details: Supplier information should be present on the container label or shipment papers.
Emergency Contacts: Access poison control and local emergency chemical response teams as needed.

Hazard Identification

Hazard Class: Acute toxicity, Carcinogen, Skin irritant
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Extremely toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Can cause severe eye and skin irritation. Suspected human carcinogen. May cause central nervous system depression, respiratory tract irritation, and organ damage, especially to liver, kidneys, and lungs. Highly flammable. May cause genetic defects.
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from open flames and heat. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Use only with proper ventilation or respiratory protection. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling this material.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: 1,2-Dibromoethane
Concentration: Typically 99% or greater in commercial products
Other Components: Trace impurities from manufacturing
CAS Number: 106-93-4

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Provide oxygen if breathing is difficult. Seek medical attention for breathing problems, dizziness, or persistent cough.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse skin immediately with soap and large amounts of water. Seek medical advice, even for minor symptoms like redness or irritation.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with water for a minimum of 15 minutes, occasionally lifting eyelids. Remove contact lenses if safe. Get medical help.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth if conscious. Seek immediate medical assistance due to extreme toxicity.
Note to Physician: Observe for signs of liver, kidney, and respiratory damage. Symptomatic treatment and supportive care hold highest priority.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Flammability: Combustible liquid and vapor
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical, foam. Water spray to cool containers; avoid direct water jet on product.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Hydrogen bromide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, bromine fumes
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and full chemical protective suit.
Fire and Explosion Risks: Vapors can form explosive mixtures with air. Containers may explode from heat.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential personnel. Restrict access. Ventilate the area. Equip responders with chemical splash goggles, full suit, gloves, and respirator.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent run-off into drains, waterways, and soil. Inform relevant authorities of large spills.
Methods for Containment and Cleanup: Absorb spill using inert material (sand, earth, vermiculite). Collect in labeled containers for hazardous waste disposal. Wash spill site after removal. Use non-sparking tools. Avoid generating dust or vapor.

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling Practices: Work in chemical fume hood. Wear suitable protective clothing. Avoid splashing and vapor exposure. Never eat, drink, or smoke near the substance. Decontaminate protective gear and wash hands thoroughly.
Storage Requirements: Store away from heat, direct sunlight, and moisture, in tightly closed, chemical-resistant containers. Keep separate from oxidizers, alkalis, and metals. Label storage areas and restrict unauthorized access. Use secondary containment.
Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with strong bases, strong oxidizing agents, and reactive metals.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Permissible Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 0.045 ppm (0.4 mg/m³) as an 8-hour TWA
Engineering Controls: Provide local exhaust ventilation or use in a well-ventilated area. Enclose process or use fume hoods where necessary.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles or face shield, full-body suit, and suitable respirator (organic vapor cartridge or supplied air for large scale or emergency situations). Emergency eyewash stations and showers near the work area.
Hygiene Measures: Regular hand washing after handling, routine replacement of protective gear if contaminated, removal and laundering of contaminated clothing.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Sweet, chloroform-like
Odor Threshold: 10 ppm
pH: Not applicable (non-aqueous)
Melting Point: 9.5°C
Boiling Point: 131°C
Flash Point: 25°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: 1.25 (Butyl acetate = 1)
Flammability: Combustible
Vapor Pressure: 11 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 6.2 (Air = 1)
Density: 2.17 g/cm³
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (4.3 g/L at 20°C), miscible with most organic solvents
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): 1.96
Decomposition Temperature: Above 140°C
Viscosity: Approximately 1.34 mPa.s at 20°C

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and use conditions. Decomposes on strong heating and exposure to light.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sparks, open flame, direct sunlight, high temperatures.
Incompatible Materials: Alkali and alkaline earth metals, strong oxidizers, strong bases.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Bromine, hydrogen bromide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide.
Polymerization: Hazardous polymerization does not occur.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 108 mg/kg. Extremely toxic in small quantities.
Chronic Exposure: Probable human carcinogen. Linked to liver, kidney, and reproductive effects in animal studies.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact.
Symptoms: Dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, respiratory tract irritation, abdominal pain, decreased coordination, possible seizures and coma.
Long-term Effects: Cancer risks, reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, neurological impacts, damage to internal organs.
Sensitization: Rare cases of allergic skin reaction.
Mutagenicity: Evidence from laboratory tests shows genetic damage potential.

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms. LC50 (fish, 96h): 57 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Moderate persistence in soil and water. Some breakdown through hydrolysis and photolysis.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low accumulation in most species due to quick metabolism.
Mobility: Moderate soil mobility, potential to contaminate groundwater.
Other Risks: Can decrease oxygen levels in water bodies, leading to asphyxiation of aquatic life.

Disposal Considerations

Safe Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous waste. Use permitted incinerators capable of breaking down organic bromides. Avoid landfill disposal or sewage discharge. Collect and label all residuals.
Contaminated Packaging: Decontaminate containers. Dispose by approved methods or recondition.
Regulatory Compliance: Follow local, regional, and federal guidelines for hazardous waste transport and destruction.

Transport Information

UN Number: UN1605
Proper Shipping Name: 1,2-Dibromoethane
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic Substance)
Packing Group: I (high danger)
Label Requirements: Toxic, Environmental Hazard, and Flammable Liquid labels as appropriate
Special Precautions: Separate from food and feedstuffs. Do not transport with alkalis, oxidizers, or in containers susceptible to attack.
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant

Regulatory Information

Federal Regulations (USA): Listed as hazardous substance under CERCLA, SARA Title III; subject to TSCA reporting
OSHA: Strict occupational exposure limits. Carcinogen warning on containers required.
EPA: Maximum contaminant levels for drinking water. Phased out for agricultural uses except in emergency quarantine.
International Regulations: Restricted under Rotterdam Convention due to toxicity. Included on various country-specific chemical hazard lists (Canada WHMIS, EU REACH, etc).
Labeling: “Danger – Poison” and hazard pictograms required.