Knowledge
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – Triethanolamine
Identification
Product Name: Triethanolamine
Chemical Formula: C6H15NO3
Chemical Family: Alkanolamine
Synonyms: TEA, Trolamine, 2,2',2''-Nitrilotriethanol
CAS Number: 102-71-6
Recommended Use: Emulsifier, pH adjuster in personal care and industrial cleaning products, buffer in chemical and pharmaceutical processes
Supplier: Supply information based on manufacturer’s details
Emergency Phone: Refer to supplier or local poison control
Hazard Identification
GHS Classification: Eye irritation (Category 2A), Skin irritation (Category 2), Chronic aquatic toxicity (Category 3)
Label Elements: Exclamation mark symbol, Hazard and precautionary statements
Potential Health Effects: Causes moderate eye and skin irritation, prolonged exposure may dry and crack skin, inhalation of vapor or mist irritates respiratory tract. Ingestion leads to gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting. Prolonged or repeated exposure may affect liver and kidneys.
Environmental Impact: Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects, particularly if allowed to enter waterways.
Signal Word: Warning
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Substance: Triethanolamine
Concentration: Typically 99% or higher for pure chemical
Impurities: Trace amounts of diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, water (less than 1%)
EC Number: 203-049-8
Molecular Weight: 149.19 g/mol
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, monitor breathing, seek medical attention if symptoms persist like coughing, dizziness, or difficulty breathing.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothes, wash area thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical advice for irritation, blistering, or discomfort.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for 15 minutes, hold eyelids apart; remove contact lenses if possible, continue rinsing, consult a doctor immediately.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth without inducing vomiting, offer water to drink. Get medical attention, especially if nausea or discomfort occurs.
Most Important Symptoms: Skin redness, burning sensation, tearing, difficulty breathing, stomach pain. Medical monitoring suggested after significant exposure.
Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam. Avoid using direct water jets as splashing may spread hazard.
Hazardous Combustion Products: May emit toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear due to toxic vapors.
Specific Hazards: Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air when heated. Decomposition may produce irritant and hazardous gases.
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Ventilate area, keep unprotected people away, wear chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, chemical suit, and, if necessary, a respirator.
Environmental Precautions: Avoid release to sewers, water bodies, or soil. Contain spill to prevent environmental contamination.
Containment and Clean-Up: Absorb with inert material (sand, earth, vermiculite), collect in sealable containers for disposal. Wash spill site thoroughly afterwards. Dispose of in accordance with local, state, and national regulations.
Decontamination: Wash hands carefully, clean all equipment used promptly.
Handling and Storage
Handling: Use with adequate local exhaust ventilation, avoid breathing mist or vapor; prevent skin and eye contact by wearing proper PPE; maintain good hygiene practices by washing hands before breaks, after handling, and before eating.
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances like strong acids, strong oxidizers, and nitrates; keep away from heat and ignition sources as product may form vapors at higher temperatures. Segregate from food and drinks.
Incompatibilities: Do not store with acids, anhydrides, halogenated compounds, isocyanates; product reacts with strong oxidizing agents.
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 5 mg/m3 (inhalable fraction and vapor), OSHA has not set a PEL.
Engineering Controls: Use mechanical, general, or local exhaust ventilation; maintain eye wash and safety shower in the vicinity.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), splash-proof goggles and face shield, long-sleeve work clothing, chemical apron. Use a NIOSH-approved respirator if vapor or mist is likely.
Hygiene Measures: No food, drink, or smoking in handling area; wash hands and face after handling.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow, viscous liquid
Odor: Mild ammonia-like
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH: 10.5 (1% aqueous solution)
Melting Point: 21°C (70°F)
Boiling Point: 335°C (635°F)
Flash Point: 179°C (354°F, closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Negligible
Flammability: Not considered flammable under normal conditions
Vapor Pressure: <0.01 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 5.1 (air = 1)
Solubility: Completely soluble in water and alcohol
Density: 1.13 g/cm³ at 20°C
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): -1.0
Decomposition Temperature: > 200°C
Viscosity: 600 mPa.s at 20°C
Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions and normal handling, but prolonged contact with air may cause slow oxidation.
Reactivity: Reactive with strong acids, strong oxidizing agents, strong bases may enhance hazardous polymerization or decomposition in the presence of high heat.
Hazardous Reactions: Excessive heat or mixing with incompatible materials triggers hazardous chemical reactions.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide can form if overheated or on combustion.
Polymerization: Does not spontaneously polymerize.
Toxicological Information
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 8,200 mg/kg; Dermal LD50 (rabbit): >2,000 mg/kg. Low acute toxicity by oral or dermal exposure.
Inhalation: Large-scale vapor or mist exposure irritates mucous membranes, lungs.
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Repeated or prolonged exposure can result in dermatitis or redness.
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes eye discomfort, tearing, burning.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA.
Mutagenicity: Not demonstrated in animal studies.
Repeated Dose Toxicity: Possible damage to liver and kidneys in rare cases; prolonged exposure increases risk.
Other Effects: No evidence of reproductive toxicity or teratogenicity under normal exposures.
Ecological Information
Ecotoxicity: LC50 (fish, 96h): 1,180 mg/L; EC50 (daphnia, 48h): 609.98 mg/L.
Aquatic Environmental Impact: Large spills harm aquatic organisms, promote algae growth by acting as nutrient source.
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions, but environmental persistence possible in poorly oxygenated water.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low, based on log Kow and experimental data.
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to water solubility, potential to contaminate groundwater if released in significant volume.
Other Adverse Effects: Excessive concentration may alter pH of water bodies, affecting aquatic ecosystem function.
Disposal Considerations
Waste Disposal: Dispose of all waste in accordance with applicable local, regional, and national regulations.
Method: Preferably use incineration with afterburner and scrubber or send to permitted chemical waste treatment facility. Dilute aqueous solutions may be treatable after consultation with local authorities.
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly before disposal or recycling, follow legal requirements; avoid landfill of contaminated containers where possible.
Spilled Material: Collect in appropriate waste drums; do not allow mixing with non-compatible substances.
Transport Information
UN Number: Not regulated for most modes of transport (not classified as dangerous according to ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA).
Proper Shipping Name: Triethanolamine
Transport Hazard Class: No classification assigned
Packing Group: Not assigned
Environmental Hazards: Not designated marine pollutant, but contain spill to avoid impact.
Special Precautions: Keep containers tightly closed, upright, and secure during transport. Prevent from freezing and contamination.
Regulatory Information
EU Regulations: REACH registered; not listed as SVHC. Complies with CLP Regulation.
US Regulations: Listed on TSCA Inventory, not regulated as a hazardous substance under CERCLA, SARA 302; SARA 313 reporting not required.
Canada: Listed in DSL; no special classification required under WHMIS.
Other: Not restricted under UN conventions or by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Maintains full chemical ingredient disclosure for commercial and industrial uses. Precautionary labeling advised in all markets.
