Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for 1,2-Dibromoethane

Identification

Product Name: 1,2-Dibromoethane
Synonyms: Ethylene dibromide, EDB
Chemical Formula: C2H4Br2
CAS Number: 106-93-4
EC Number: 203-444-5
Recommended Use: Leaded gasoline additive, fumigant, chemical intermediate
Manufacturer: Refer to supplier information on container label
Emergency Contact: Available through CHEMTREC, local poison center, or site safety officer

Hazard Identification

Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin and eye irritant, Carcinogen, Mutagen, Reproductive toxin
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Highly toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption; causes cancer; highly flammable liquid and vapor; may cause genetic defects; suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child; causes skin burns, serious eye damage
Major Health Risks: Vomiting, dizziness, respiratory and kidney failure, liver damage, reproductive effects
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors; wear protective clothing and eye protection; do not eat or drink while handling; use only in well-ventilated areas
Label Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, health hazard symbol, flammable symbol

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: 1,2-Dibromoethane
Concentration: ≥99%
Impurities: Trace organobromo compounds
Other Components: No other chemical substances present in reportable quantities

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air without delay, keep victim warm and at rest; administer artificial respiration if breathing stops; request medical assistance immediately
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with plenty of soapy water for a minimum of 15 minutes; attend to open wounds; seek urgent medical advice
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally; avoid rubbing; seek medical attention
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth with water; if victim is alert, offer small quantities of water; provide immediate medical care
Other General Advice: Always transport patient to hospital when exposure is significant, as symptoms may have delayed onset

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical powder, alcohol-resistant foam, or carbon dioxide; avoid using water jets
Specific Hazards: Produces toxic fumes of hydrogen bromide, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide when heated; vapor is heavier than air and may travel along ground
Special Protective Equipment: Wear full firefighter turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Precautions: Remove containers from fire zone if safe; cool adjoining containers with water spray to prevent heat-induced pressure increases

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate all non-essential personnel from area; wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and suitable respiratory protection
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, basements, or confined spaces; avoid runoff into surface waterways
Containment Methods: Dike and absorb spills with inert material such as sand or earth; transfer material to sealed containers
Cleanup Procedures: Ventilate area thoroughly, use explosion-proof equipment, collect residues and dispose in accordance with local regulations; decontaminate surfaces with detergent

Handling and Storage

Handling: Handle under exhaust ventilation or outdoors; avoid any skin or eye contact; use explosion-proof electrical and lighting installations; ground all containers during transfer
Storage: Store away from sunlight, heat, and sources of ignition in a tightly closed container; segregate from strong bases, oxidizing materials, or incompatible chemicals
Specific Practices: Practical routines involve double containment, regular inspection of vessels, and continuous monitoring of vapor levels; restrict access to qualified, trained operators only

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 20 ppb (0.13 mg/m³) TWA; ACGIH TLV: 0.045 mg/m³ TWA; NIOSH IDLH: 100 ppm
Engineering Controls: Use fume hoods, local exhaust, and general dilution ventilation
Personal Protection: Chemical splash goggles, face shield if mist likely, nitrile or butyl rubber gloves, full-length lab coat or coveralls
Respiratory Protection: Approved respirator (organic vapor cartridge or air-supplied); in emergencies, use self-contained breathing apparatus
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after handling, remove contaminated clothing and launder before reuse

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Sweet, chloroform-like
Odor Threshold: Not established
Melting Point: 9.0°C
Boiling Point: 131°C
Flash Point: 26°C (closed cup)
Flammability: Flammable
Vapor Pressure: 11 mm Hg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 6.0 (air = 1)
Density/Specific Gravity: 2.18 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility in Water: 4 g/L at 25°C
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): 1.96
Autoignition Temperature: 413°C
Evaporation Rate: 2.1 (butyl acetate = 1)
Upper/Lower Flammability Limits: 5.9% / 14.2%

Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Stable in closed systems under recommended storage conditions
Reactivity: Reacts vigorously with strong bases, alkali metals, and strong oxidizers; produces toxic gases under fire conditions
Polymerization: Not expected
Incompatible Materials: Sodium, potassium, magnesium, strong acids or oxidizers
Decomposition Products: Hydrogen bromide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and other brominated compounds

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: LD50 oral (rat): 140 mg/kg; LD50 dermal (rabbit): 300 mg/kg; LC50 inhalation (rat, 4h): 250 ppm
Chronic Toxicity: Causes cancer confirmed in laboratory animals, possible link to human cancers; liver, kidney, testicular damage observed at low chronic doses
Target Organs: Liver, kidneys, central nervous system, reproductive organs
Symptoms of Exposure: Respiratory distress, headache, nausea, skin blistering, tremors, cancer risk with repeated exposure
Other Health Effects: May cause genetic mutations, developmental harm to fetus; reports of reproductive harm in exposed workers

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms; short-term EC50 (water flea): 0.88 mg/L (48h); LC50 (guppy): 1.3 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Moderately persistent; slow breakdown in soil and water; volatilizes from water surfaces
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low to moderate
Mobility: High; readily migrates in soil and may contaminate groundwater
Other Concerns: Disrupts soil invertebrate activity; may persist in root crops

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Incinerate at high temperatures in approved hazardous waste disposal facilities; avoid landfilling or direct discharge
Container Disposal: Clean containers with extreme caution, triple rinse and puncture before disposal, comply with local and national regulations
Precautions: Do not mix with household or non-industrial waste; notify local environmental authorities of significant spills or disposal events

Transport Information

UN Number: UN1605
Proper Shipping Name: 1,2-Dibromoethane
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic)
Packing Group: I
Labeling Requirements: Toxic, Flammable Liquid
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Precautions: Transport in tightly closed containers; secure loads adequately to prevent breakage; emergency contact listed on paperwork

Regulatory Information

TSCA (US): Listed
OSHA: Classified as highly hazardous chemical
SARA Title III (302/304/313): Subject to Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; extremely hazardous substance
EPA: Listed as hazardous air pollutant
EU REACH: Subject to authorization; carcinogen category 1B
International: Controlled under Rotterdam Convention; use highly restricted in many countries
Workplace Restrictions: Permissible exposure limits set by multiple regulatory bodies; regular medical surveillance required for occupational use