Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Mono Ethanol Amine (MEA)

Identification

Chemical Name: Monoethanolamine
Common Names: MEA, Ethanolamine
Molecular Formula: C2H7NO
CAS Number: 141-43-5
Use: Used for gas treating in refineries, surfactants, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, detergents, textile processing, and wood preservatives
Manufacturer/Supplier: Available from global chemical distributors and producers
Contact Details: Emergency phone numbers available through local poison control centers and supplier emergency contacts

Hazard Identification

Classification: Corrosive to skin, serious eye damage, acute toxicity (oral, inhalation)
Physical Hazards: Causes severe burns to skin and eyes, can cause permanent eye injury
Health Hazards: May cause respiratory tract irritation, headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting if inhaled
Environmental Hazards: Harmful to aquatic life with potential for long-term impact
Hazard Symbols: GHS05 (Corrosive), GHS07 (Irritant)
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Statements: Avoid skin, eye, and clothing contact, do not breathe vapor or mist, use only in well-ventilated areas, wash hands thoroughly after handling

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Main Component: Monoethanolamine
Chemical Formula: C2H7NO
Molecular Weight: 61.08 g/mol
Purity: Typically greater than 98%
Impurities: Water (less than 2%), trace amines, minimal stabilizers as required for storage stability

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove exposed person to fresh air, keep at rest in position comfortable for breathing, seek immediate medical attention for respiratory discomfort
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes, flush affected area immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, consult physician for persistent irritation or burns
Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes while holding eyelids apart, seek emergency medical care
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, seek immediate medical advice
Symptoms and Effects: Burning sensation, severe pain, redness, swelling, coughing, sore throat, difficulty breathing in severe cases

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Direct water streams may spread fire
Special Hazards: Heating or fire can cause pressure increase in containers leading to rupture, releases toxic nitrogen oxides and ammonia when burning
Protective Equipment: Firefighters require self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective clothing
Fire Fighting Advice: Move containers away from fire area, cool tanks with water spray, do not allow runoff to enter drainage or water supply

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel from the area, ensure appropriate protective equipment, avoid breathing vapors and contact with skin or eyes
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so, avoid discharge into drains, water courses, or the ground
Containment: Stop the leak if possible, dike and absorb with suitable inert material like sand or earth
Cleanup Methods: Collect spilled material in sealable, labeled containers for disposal, flush area with water after cleanup, ventilate enclosed spaces
Decontamination: Wash spill site after material pickup is complete with copious amounts of water

Handling and Storage

Handling: Only handle in well-ventilated areas, avoid direct contact with skin and eyes, avoid inhalation of vapor or mist, use proper personal protective equipment (PPE)
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers, keep in cool, dry, ventilated area away from incompatible chemicals like acids and oxidizers
Incompatible Materials: Avoid acids, halogenated hydrocarbons, and oxidizing agents to prevent violent reactions
Bulk Storage: Use carbon steel, stainless steel, or lined equipment for bulk storage, ensure containers are properly grounded

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 3 ppm TWA, ACGIH TLV: 3 ppm TWA/6 ppm STEL for monoethanolamine
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, safety showers, and eye wash stations in the work area
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), chemical splash goggles, face shield, long-sleeve protective clothing
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirator if workplace concentration exceeds exposure limits
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke when using this product, remove contaminated gear before entering eating areas

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Ammonia-like
Odor Threshold: Can be detected at concentrations below 1 ppm
pH: 12.1 (1% solution)
Melting Point: 10.5°C (50.9°F)
Boiling Point: 170°C (338°F)
Flash Point: 85°C (185°F, closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Slower than water
Flammability: Not readily flammable but can burn at high temperatures
Vapor Pressure: 1.2 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 2.1 (air = 1)
Specific Gravity: 1.018 at 20°C (water = 1)
Solubility: Fully miscible with water
Partition Coefficient: Log Kow -2.3
Decomposition Temperature: Decomposes above 170°C, forming hazardous gases
Viscosity: About 24 mPa·s at 20°C

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Reacts with acids, halogenated hydrocarbons, and oxidizers, potential for violent polymerization with epichlorohydrin
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to heat, sparks, open flames
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, acyl halides, nitrates, oxidizers, copper and its alloys
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, ethyleneimine under fire or intense heat

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 1720 mg/kg; Dermal LD50 (rabbit): 1025 mg/kg
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure can lead to dermatitis, respiratory sensitization, liver and kidney damage
Corrosiveness: Causes severe burns to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes
Symptoms of Overexposure: Difficulty breathing, cough, chest tightness, headache, nausea, abdominal pain
Carcinogenicity: No classification by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity and Teratogenicity: Not considered mutagenic or teratogenic under normal occupational exposure

Ecological Information

Eco-Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms, LC50 (fish, 96h): 60 mg/L; EC50 (daphnia, 48h): 65 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in soil and water, but toxic at high concentrations before breakdown
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low (Log Kow: -2.3)
Mobility: High in water, may leach into groundwater if released in substantial quantity
Environmental Impact: Large spills threaten fish and aquatic life, neutralization advised for wastewaters

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal: Dispose of as hazardous chemical waste according to federal, state, and local regulations
Methods: Neutralize with dilute acid under controlled conditions, send to licensed chemical disposal facility
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers should be triple rinsed and then offered for recycling or incineration
Disposal Precautions: Avoid contamination of waterways, do not incinerate closed containers, label all waste containers clearly

Transport Information

UN Number: UN2055
Proper Shipping Name: Ethanolamine
Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: III
Labels Required: Corrosive (Class 8 label)
Marine Pollutant: Not regulated as marine pollutant under IMDG
Special Precautions: Secure packaging, keep away from foodstuffs, comply with local transport rules

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Regulated hazardous substance
SARA Title III: Listed under Section 313 Toxic Chemical List
TSCA: Listed on the Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
EU Regulations: Classified as hazardous, subject to CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008
WHMIS (Canada): D1B (Toxic Material), E (Corrosive Material)
Other Regulations: Subject to workplace controls under national and regional laws, user must ensure all local requirements are followed for storage and use