Material Safety Data Sheet for Propylene Glycol

Identification

Product Name: Propylene Glycol
Chemical Name: 1,2-Propanediol
Synonyms: Propane-1,2-diol, PG
Molecular Formula: C3H8O2
Molecular Weight: 76.09 g/mol
CAS Number: 57-55-6
Recommended Use: Humectant, solvent, antifreeze, ingredient in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food
Supplier: Multiple industrial chemical providers; information available on request
Contact Information: Emergency telephone information accessible through Poison Control and regional chemical information centers

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS; low acute toxicity
Signal Word: None
Hazard Statements: May cause mild eye irritation; may cause mild skin irritation on repeated contact; may cause digestive tract irritation if ingested in large quantities
Pictogram: No pictogram required
Routes of Exposure: Eyes, skin, ingestion, inhalation
Potential Health Effects: Eye redness; dry skin; headache, dizziness, nausea if ingested or inhaled in large amounts
Precautionary Statements: Avoid prolonged skin contact, avoid ingestion, keep away from incompatible materials such as strong oxidizers, ensure proper ventilation in enclosed spaces
Environmental Effects: Not classified as hazardous for the environment at typical use concentrations; large spills may cause oxygen depletion in aquatic environments

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Propylene Glycol
Common Name: Propylene Glycol
Concentration: 99% and above, depending on the grade
CAS Number: 57-55-6
EINECS Number: 200-338-0
Impurities: Water (<1.0%), trace byproducts from manufacturing (low, not intentionally added)

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; seek medical attention if irritation persists
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash affected skin with soap and plenty of water; seek medical advice if irritation develops or persists
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air; if respiratory discomfort continues, seek medical advice
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly; drink water; do not induce vomiting; seek medical attention if larger amounts are swallowed or if symptoms occur
Advice for Medical Personnel: Treat symptomatically; monitor for signs of allergic reaction or respiratory distress

Fire-Fighting Measures

Flammability: Slightly combustible at high temperatures; liquid can burn
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water fog, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or foam
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: None identified
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and organic vapors
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Fire/Explosion Hazards: Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air at elevated temperatures; containers can explode in heat of fire

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear appropriate protective equipment (gloves, safety goggles, protective clothing); prevent skin and eye contact
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spill from entering sewers, drainage systems, or bodies of water; notify authorities if significant environmental release occurs
Spill Clean-Up Methods: Contain spill with dikes or absorbent material; scoop up liquid and absorb residual with inert material such as sand, earth, or vermiculite; transfer to appropriate waste container for disposal
Reference to Other Sections: See information on exposure controls and personal protection; see disposal considerations for waste handling

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Avoid unnecessary skin and eye contact; keep containers closed; use only in well-ventilated areas; implement good workplace hygiene
Incompatible Materials: Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, peroxides
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed, properly labeled containers; place in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, and flame
Transfer Precautions: Use grounded, corrosion-resistant transfer lines; prevent static discharge
Special Requirements: Emergency washing facilities should be accessible; segregate from incompatible substances

Exposure Controls / Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No OSHA PEL; ACGIH TLV: 10 mg/m3 (aerosol, inhalable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Provide local exhaust ventilation in process areas to avoid vapor buildup; maintain adequate general ventilation
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use protective safety glasses or goggles; chemical-resistant gloves (such as nitrile or neoprene); lightweight protective clothing to minimize skin contact; in case of high exposure or insufficient ventilation, use an approved respirator
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling; do not eat, drink, or smoke when using this material; remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless, clear, viscous liquid
Odor: Odorless or faintly sweet
pH: Neutral (approx. 7), 50% solution in water
Melting Point: -60°C
Boiling Point: 188.2°C
Flash Point: 103°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Very low
Flammability: Not highly flammable; forms combustible vapor at elevated temperatures
Vapor Pressure: 0.13 hPa at 20°C
Density: 1.036 g/cm3 at 20°C
Solubility: Miscible with water, acetone, chloroform
Viscosity: 58.1 mPa·s at 20°C
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): -0.92
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 371°C
Explosion Limits: 2.6 – 12.6% (v/v) in air

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions of use and storage
Reactivity: Low reactivity under ambient conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat; open flame; strong oxidizing environments; direct sunlight
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal breakdown leads to carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and potentially toxic organic compounds
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong oxidizers, peroxides, bases
Polymerization: Does not occur in typical conditions

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low; oral LD50 (rat) approx. 20,000 mg/kg
Irritation: Mild eye and skin irritant
Sensitization: No evidence of sensitization on human exposure
Chronic Exposure: Large, repeated oral doses can affect central nervous system, liver, and kidneys
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a human carcinogen by IARC, ACGIH, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity: Tests have not shown mutagenic potential
Reproductive Effects: Animal studies found no evidence of adverse effects on reproduction

Ecological Information

Acute Aquatic Toxicity: Low toxicity to fish, daphnia, and algae at levels encountered in accidental release scenarios
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable; breaks down in environment by microbial action
Bioaccumulative Potential: Not expected to bioaccumulate; low partition coefficient suggests minimal bioconcentration
Mobility in Soil: Highly mobile due to water solubility
Other Harmful Effects: Large quantities may deplete oxygen in water, harmful for aquatic life in bulk spills
Regulatory Numbers: Not listed as hazardous by EPA or major international environmental codes

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations
Incineration: Suitable for incineration in an approved facility if compatible with regulations
Reuse/Recycling: Industrial processes may reclaim or recycle material
Container Disposal: Empty containers may retain product residue; treat containers as hazardous; triple rinse and puncture before recycling or disposal
Special Precautions: Avoid release to the environment; do not dispose into drains or watercourses

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated as a dangerous good
Proper Shipping Name: Propylene Glycol
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified
Packing Group: None required
Label: None required
Environmental Hazards: Not marine pollutant
Special Transport Precautions: Avoid extreme temperatures; store upright in well-sealed containers to prevent leakage
International Transport Regulations: Not regulated by ADR, RID, IMDG, IATA

Regulatory Information

Inventory Listings: Listed on TSCA (US), EINECS (EU), DSL/NDSL (Canada), AICS (Australia), ENCS (Japan), and other major inventories
OSHA: Product not classified as a hazardous chemical
SARA Title III (Sections 311/312): Not subject to reporting requirements
SARA Title III (Section 313): Not a listed substance
California Proposition 65: Not listed
WHMIS Classification: Not classified (Canada)
Other Regulatory Data: Meets food and pharmaceutical safety guidelines for specified grades; review regional legislation for application-specific limits