Ethylbenzene

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

Product-Specific hazards and other issues

- Causes skin and eye irritation.

- Inhalation of vapors may cause signs of respiratory tract irritation (cough and difficulty breathing), CNS

 depression (fatigue, dizziness, headache, collapse, coma and death), possible cardiac sensitization, and

 irritation of the eyes, nose and throat.

- Harmful by inhalation.

- May cause damage to the auditory system following prolonged or repeated oral or inhalation exposure.

- Aspiration into the lungs during swallowing or vomiting can cause lung damage, possibly leading to

 chronic lung dysfunction or death.

General advice :

- Always observe self protection methods.

- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, avoid direct contact.

- Move out of dangerous area.

- Remove contaminated clothing and shoes.

- Get medical attention immediately.

- Show this material safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.

Inhalation :

- Remove to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.

- Do not leave the victim unattended.

- Keep patient warm and at rest.

- Immediately seek medical attention.

- If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.

- If unconscious place in recovery position and seek medical advice.

- In the event of unconsciousness, apnea or cardiac arrest (no pulse) apply cardiopulmonary

 resuscitation.

Skin contact :

- Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.

- In case of contact, immediately flush skin with soap and plenty of water.

- Seek medical attention if ill effect or irritation develops.

- Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

Eye contact :

- In case of eye contact, remove contact lens and rinse immediately with plenty of water, also under the

 eyelids, for at least 15 minutes.

- Get medical attention immediately.

Ingestion :

- Clean mouth with water and drink afterwards plenty of water.

- DO NOT induce vomiting. If vomiting does occur, have victim lean forward to reduce risk of aspiration. - - Get medical attention immediately.

- Do not give milk or alcoholic beverages.

- Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

Advice to Physician :

- Treat symptomatically.

- Treatment of overexposure should be directed at the control of symptoms and the clinical condition of

 the patient.

- Inhalation of very high concentrations may cause asphyxia, anesthesia, CNS depression (primarily

 fatigue, dizziness and loss of concentration, with collapse, coma and death in cases of severe

 overexposure), and possible cardiac sensitization.

- Epinephrine and other sympathomimetic drugs may initiate cardiac arrhythmias (irregular beating) in

 persons exposed to this material.

- Aspiration may cause pulmonary edema and pneumonitis.

- Do NOT induce vomiting.

- In case of ingestion, the stomach should be emptied by gastric lavage under qualified medical

 supervision.

Fire-fighting measures

Suitable extinguishing media:

Small fires :

- Use dry chemicals, CO2, or foam

Large fires ;

- Use water spray, water fog or foam.

Unsuitable extinguishing media

- Do not use a solid water stream as it may scatter and spread fire.

- WARNING - Water may be ineffective unless used under favorable conditions by experienced fire  

 fighters trained in fighting all types of flammable liquid fires.  Water can be used to cool and protect

 exposed material.

Specific hazards during fire-fighting :

- Releases flammable vapors below normal ambient temperatures.

- When mixed with air and exposed to ignition source, vapors can burn in open or explode if confined.

- Flammable vapors may be heavier than air.

- Vapors may travel long distances along the ground before reaching a source of ignition and flashing

 back.

- Diluting with water may not suffice to raise flash point above ambient temperatures.

- Heat may build enough pressure to rupture closed containers/spreading fire/increasing risk of

 burns/injuries.

- Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.

- Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.

- Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.

- Always stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.

- For massive fire, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from

 area and let fire burn.

- Notify authorities immediately if liquid enters sewer/public waters.

- Fire residues and contaminated fire extinguishing water must be disposed of in accordance with local

 regulations.

Special protection equipment for fire-fighters :

- Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

- Structural firefighters protective clothing will only provide limited protection.

Accidental release measures

Personal precautions :

- Use personal protective equipment.

- Ensure adequate ventilation.

- Eliminate all sources of ignition.

- Evacuate personnel to safe areas.

Land spillage :

- Prevent product from entering drains.

Spillages in water or at sea :

- If the product contaminates rivers and lakes or drains inform respective authorities.

Methods for cleaning up :

- Highly Flammable Liquid

- Liquids/vapors may ignite.

- Eliminate all sources of ignition.

- Release can cause fire or explosion.

- Evacuate/limit access.

- Ensure adequate ventilation.

- Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

- All equipment used when handling this product must be grounded.

- Do not touch or walk through spilled material.

- Water spray may reduce vapor; but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces.

- Contain/collect rapidly to minimize dispersion.

- On water, material is sparingly soluble.

- On water, contain/minimize dispersion/collect.

- Impound/recover large land spill.

- Soak up small spills with inert solids.

- Prevent flow to sewer/public waters.

- Disperse residue to reduce aquatic harm.

- Notify fire and environmental authorities.

Handling and storage

Handling :

Advice on safe handling :

- Extinguish all ignition sources.

- Use only non-sparking tools.

- Keep container tightly closed when not in use.

- All electrical equipment should be grounded and conform to applicable electric codes and regulatory

 requirements.

- Containers must be properly grounded before beginning transfer.

- Carefully vent any internal pressure before removing closure.

- Isolate, vent, drain, wash and purge systems or equipment before maintenance or repair.

- Observe precautions pertaining to confined space entry.

- Check atmosphere for explosiveness and oxygen deficiencies.

- Wear recommended personal protective equipment.

- Handle empty containers with care; vapor/residue may be flammable.

Fire-fighting class :

- Highly Flammable

Storage :

Requirements for storage areas and containers :

- Store closed drums with bung in up position.

- Store only in tightly closed, properly vented containers away from heat, sparks, open flame and strong

 oxidizing agents.

- Vapor space above stored liquid may be flammable/explosive unless blanketed with inert gas.

- Keep in properly labeled containers.

Container Advice :

- Carbon steel.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

UN-Number : 1175

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Description of the goods : ETHYLBENZENE

Chemical name:

Ethylbenzene

Language:

English

Labels:

Labels : 3

Special provisions / remarks

Special provisions:

Tunnel restriction code : D/E

Shipping

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

UN-Number : 1175

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Description of the goods : ETHYLBENZENE

Chemical name:

Ethylbenzene

Labels:

Labels : 3

Remarks

Shipping

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Engineering measures :

- Both local exhaust and/or good general room ventilation must be provided not only to control exposure

 but also to prevent formation of flammable mixtures.

Personal protective equipment:

Respiratory protection :

- When workers are facing concentrations above the exposure limit they must use appropriate certified

 respirators.

- Wear a respirator conforming to EN 140 with Type A filter or better.

Hand protection :

- Use chemical resistant gloves appropriate to conditions of use.

- The selected protective gloves have to satisfy the European norm standard EN 374.

- Glove material fluoroelastomer; material thickness 0.4 mm; break through time ≥ 480 min. Gloves must

 be replaced after 8 hours of wear (GESTIS recommendation).  

- Gloves should be discarded and replaced if there is any indication of degradation or chemical

 breakthrough.

Eye protection :

- Wear safety glasses as minimum eye protection.

- Eye protection such as chemical splash goggles and/or face shield must be worn when possibility exists

 for eye contact due to splashing or spraying liquid, airborne particles, or vapor.

- The selected goggles or glasses must satisfy the European norm standard EN 166.

Skin and body protection :

- When skin contact is possible, protective clothing including gloves, apron, sleeves, boots, head and face

 protection should be worn.

- The selected protective clothing has to satisfy the standard EN 13034, which describes clothing offering

 limited 8 hour protection against splashes.

- Choose body protection according to the amount and concentration of the dangerous substance at the

 work place.

Hygiene measures :

- Selection of appropriate personal protective equipment should be based on an evaluation of the

 performance characteristics of the protective equipment relative to the task(s) to be performed,

 conditions present, duration of use, and the hazards and/or potential hazards that may be encountered

 during use.

- Emergency eye wash fountains and safety showers should be available in the immediate vicinity of any

 potential exposure.

- Use good personal hygiene practices.

- Wash hands before eating, drinking, smoking, or using toilet facilities.

Environmental exposure controls :

- An authoritative evaluation of environmental exposure and risk indicates that no special risk

 management practices are needed to control environmental release.

Stability and reactivity

Conditions to avoid :

- Heat, sparks, open flame, other ignition sources, oxidizing conditions, elevated temperature with    

 dehydrating conditions.

Materials to avoid :

- Strong oxidizing agents.

- Strong acids.

- Strong alkalies.

Hazardous decomposition products :

- Incomplete combustion can result in the production of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other toxic

 gases.

Thermal decomposition :

- Thermal decomposition may produce carbon monoxide and other toxic vapors.

Hazardous reactions :

- Will not occur.

- Note: The product is stable.

Disposal considerations

- The product should not be allowed to enter drains, water courses or the soil.

- Contaminated product, soil or water may be hazardous waste due to potentially low flash point.

- Comply with applicable local, state or international regulations concerning solid or hazardous waste

 disposal and/or container disposal.

- Assure effluent complies with applicable regulations.

- Landfill solids at permitted sites.

- Use registered transporters.

- Burn concentrated liquids.

- Avoid flame-outs.

- Assure emissions comply with applicable regulations.

- Avoid overloading/poisoning plant biomass.

- Dilute aqueous waste may biodegrade.