Product Name: Propanediol Butyl Ether
Chemical Name: 1-Butoxy-2-propanol
Synonyms: Propylene glycol butyl ether, PnB glycol ether
CAS No.: 5131-66-8
Recommended Use: Solvent in cleaning products, paints, coatings, inks
Supplier Details: Manufacturer and distributor information along with emergency contact provided by your supplier
Emergency Phone Number: Typically set by the supplier or regulatory authority in your country
Classification: Eye irritation (Category 2), Skin irritation (Category 2), Acute toxicity oral (Category 5)
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation, may cause skin irritation, harmful if swallowed
Pictograms: Exclamation mark for irritant
Signal Word: Warning
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors or spray, use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, wash thoroughly after handling, wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye and face protection, if in eyes rinse cautiously with water for several minutes
Potential Health Effects: Can irritate eyes, nose, throat, and skin; ingestion leads to gastrointestinal upset and mild systemic symptoms
Chemical Ingredient: 1-Butoxy-2-propanol
Percentage by Weight: 95-100%
Impurities: Trace propylene glycol or butanol, typically less than 1%
Additional Notes: Product generally meets industry specifications for purity required in industrial applications
Inhalation: Move individual to fresh air immediately. Provide oxygen or artificial respiration if breathing becomes difficult. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing right away. Rinse skin thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical attention if irritation develops or persists.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, lifting upper and lower eyelids occasionally. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Get medical advice if irritation continues.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water and do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a poison center or physician. With large quantities, seek urgent medical attention. Observe for vomiting, nausea, or abdominal discomfort.
Most Important Symptoms: Irritation of mucous membranes, shortness of breath, headache, minor drowsiness with significant exposure
Notes for Physicians: Treat symptoms and monitor airway, breathing, and cardiovascular function
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Use water spray for larger fires.
Hazards from Combustion: Vapors heavier than air. Flammable decomposition products include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and potential toxic gases.
Special Protective Actions: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus and full turnout gear.
Additional Information: Containers exposed to fire may rupture or explode if heated. Cool exposed containers with water spray.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel from area, ventilate the area, and use protective equipment recommended in exposure section.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff into drains, sewers, and waterways. Notify appropriate authorities in case of major spill.
Containment Measures: Dike and contain spilled material with inert absorbent such as sand, earth, or commercial absorbent.
Cleanup Methods: Collect residues in containers for proper disposal. Clean contaminated area thoroughly using water and detergent.
Handling: Avoid inhalation of vapor or mist. Minimize contact with skin and eyes. Use in well-ventilated areas. Prevent formation of aerosols. Wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking.
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. Protect from physical damage. Keep container away from heat, sparks, flames, and incompatible materials.
Incompatibility: Avoid strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, and bases
Other Precautions: Use bonding/grounding when transferring material to prevent static discharge. Label storage area properly.
Occupational Exposure Limit: ACGIH TLV: Not established for PnB ether, but general glycol ethers TWA 25 ppm is sometimes referenced
Engineering Controls: Ensure local exhaust or adequate general ventilation at points of vapor generation as concentrations increase.
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Eye/Face Protection: Chemical safety goggles, face shield as needed.
- Skin Protection: Impervious gloves, laboratory coat or chemical apron.
- Respiratory Protection: Approved air-purifying respirator for glycol ether vapors if engineering controls are insufficient.
- Workplace Hygiene: Launder clothes before reuse. Do not eat, drink, or smoke where product is handled.
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Mild odor with faint ether note
Odor Threshold: Not well established
pH: 6.0-8.0 (at 10% solution in water)
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Approximately -80°C
Boiling Point: 171–212°C (dependent on formulation and pressure)
Flash Point: 70°C (closed cup, may vary)
Evaporation Rate: Slower than butyl acetate
Flammability: Combustible liquid
Vapor Pressure: 0.19 mm Hg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 5.6 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 0.88 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Miscible with water and most organic solvents
Partition Coefficient: Log Pow = 0.56
Autoignition Temperature: 234°C
Decomposition Temperature: Not clearly defined
Viscosity: 4.0 mPa•s at 20°C
Stability: Product remains stable under normal temperature and pressure conditions used in storage and handling.
Reactivity: Not considered reactive under normal conditions. Avoid contact with strong oxidizers.
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: No data for polymerization under ambient conditions.
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, sparks, sources of ignition, incompatible materials.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Burning produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and traces of other potentially harmful gases.
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 3300–4000 mg/kg; Dermal LD50 (rabbit): 2000–3000 mg/kg
Chronic Toxicity: No clear data indicating carcinogenicity or reproductive toxicity in animal studies for PnB.
Routes of Exposure: Eyes, skin, ingestion, and inhalation
Symptoms: Eye irritation, skin redness, potential upper respiratory tract irritation, usually only with concentrated exposure.
Delayed/Immediate Effects: Short-term exposure causes local irritation; repeated exposure over time can produce contact dermatitis.
Sensitization: Not associated with sensitization in most workers.
Mutagenicity/Carcinogenicity: No significant evidence.
Ecotoxicity: Fish LC50 (96 h): 560–1000 mg/L, Daphnia EC50 (48 h): >1000 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable in water and soil, breaks down relatively quickly in natural environments.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Expected to have low bioaccumulation (log Pow = 0.56)
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to water solubility.
Other Effects: Large spills can harm aquatic organisms by oxygen depletion. Entering waterways should be minimized.
Waste Disposal: Dispose of contents in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Use licensed chemical waste contractors. Do not discharge into drains, surface water, soil, or landfill.
Contaminated Packaging Disposal: Containers should be triple rinsed, punctured or crushed, and disposed of in a regulated facility.
Other Measures: Check for recovery and recycling possibilities based on local best practice.
UN Number: Not classified as dangerous goods for transport by road, air, or sea when shipped in limited quantities
Shipping Name: Propanediol butyl ether, not regulated under most major transport regulations
Hazard Class: None assigned
Packing Group: None required
Marine Pollutant: No
Special Transport Precautions: Secure tightly before transport. Inspect packaging for leaks before loading. Transport according to safety and environmental regulations.
OSHA: Not specifically regulated as a hazardous chemical. Covered by general industry standards for hazardous materials.
TSCA: Listed in U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
REACH: Registered substance in Europe and subject to safety assessment
SARA Title III: Not listed as Extremely Hazardous Substance. Does not contain ingredients on SARA Section 313 list.
WHMIS (Canada): D2B – toxic material causing other toxic effects (based on eye/skin irritation)
Other International Inventories: Listed on most major global inventories (AICS, EINECS/ELINCS, DSL/NDSL, ENCS, IECSC, PICCS, KECI)
Label Elements: Label must indicate risk phrases for eye and skin irritation. Include proper precautionary direction for industrial users.
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