Product Name: Ethyl Lactate
Chemical Formula: C5H10O3
Synonyms: Lactic acid, ethyl ester; Ethyl 2-hydroxypropionate
CAS Number: 97-64-3
Recommended Use: Industrial solvent, food additive, flavoring agent, cleaning agent
Restrictions on Use: Avoid direct inhalation, ingestion, and skin or eye contact without protection
Supplier: Chemical distributors, laboratory suppliers, specialty chemical companies
Contact Details: Emergency contact information often provided on shipment labels and shipping paperwork for rapid response
Emergency Phone Number: Typically listed on product packaging or safety online databases
GHS Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 3); Eye irritation (Category 2A); Skin irritation (Category 2)
Hazard Symbols: Flame, Exclamation mark
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation. May cause skin irritation. Flammable liquid and vapor. Exposure can lead to headache, dizziness, or drowsiness if high concentrations are encountered in poorly ventilated spaces.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors or mist. Keep away from heat and open flames. Wear protective gloves and eye protection. Store in a well-ventilated place.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Component: Ethyl lactate
Concentration: Typically ≥ 98% pure
Impurities: Trace amounts of water, small percentages of lactic acid and ethanol depending on supplier and manufacturing process
EC Number: 202-598-0
Molecular Weight: 118.13 g/mol
Relevant Identifiers: Used throughout manufacturing and laboratory settings, so global identifiers help track and manage inventory and shipping logistics
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. If symptoms like coughing or dizziness develop, seek medical advice. Provide oxygen or artificial respiration if needed.
Skin Contact: Wash skin thoroughly with plenty of soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes for at least 15 minutes with lukewarm or cool water while lifting upper and lower eyelids. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Seek medical attention immediately for persistent symptoms.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a medical professional. Give water if conscious. Get immediate medical attention.
Most Important Symptoms: Headache, nausea, skin redness, eye pain, coughing
Flammability: Liquid and vapor ignite under moderate heat or open flames.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide extinguishers. Water spray for large fires can cool and disperse vapors. Avoid direct streams of water, as this could spread the product.
Specific Hazards: Vapors are heavier than air and can travel along surfaces to ignition points. Containers may burst if exposed to heat.
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and flame-resistant clothing.
Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and irritating fumes
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel. Avoid breathing vapors, use proper ventilation, wear gloves, goggles, and protective clothing.
Spill Response: Stop leak if safe to do so. Use non-sparking tools. Contain the spill with absorbent materials like sand or vermiculite.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, surface waters, or drains. Notify authorities if contamination occurs.
Cleanup Methods: Collect residue in suitable containers for disposal, ventilate area, wash away traces with water
Handling: Store and handle away from heat, sparks, and sources of ignition. Never smoke in storage areas. Only use in well-ventilated spaces, ideally with local exhaust.
Storage: Keep tightly closed in cool, dry, well-ventilated locations. Use corrosion-resistant tanks or containers. Segregate from strong oxidizers and acids.
Special Precautions: Regularly check containers for leaks or deterioration. Clearly label all storage units. Use grounding and bonding to avoid static discharge.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific OSHA or ACGIH exposure limits published for ethyl lactate in many jurisdictions. General threshold limit suggestions for volatile organic compounds apply.
Engineering Controls: Install local exhaust ventilation, fume hoods, or general room ventilation.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), safety goggles, and lab coats. Use organic vapor respirators in case of high vapor concentration or insufficient ventilation.
Hygiene Measures: Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling the chemical. Wash hands before breaks and after handling any solvents.
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Mild, pleasant, fruity odor
Melting Point: -26°C
Boiling Point: 154-155°C
Flash Point: 46°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Similar to many organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: 0.34 kPa at 20°C
Solubility: Miscible with water, alcohols, and most organic solvents
Density: 1.03 g/cm³ at 20°C
pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions in original packaging.
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, and acids.
Hazardous Reactions: Exposure to high temperatures can lead to the release of irritant vapors and combustion products.
Polymerization: No hazardous polymerization expected under normal handling.
Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and various organic acids may form under extreme heat or fire.
Likely Routes of Entry: Inhalation, skin absorption, eye exposure, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 5,980 mg/kg. Dermal LD50 (rabbit): > 5,000 mg/kg. Vapors can irritate respiratory tract in confined or poorly ventilated areas.
Chronic Effects: Repeated skin contact may cause dryness or cracking. Prolonged high-level exposure can lead to headaches, fatigue, or central nervous system effects.
Irritation/Corrosiveness: May cause strong eye and mild skin irritation. Large doses by ingestion may upset stomach.
Sensitization: No evidence of skin sensitization in animal studies.
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive Effects: No classification or evidence of carcinogenicity by IARC, NTP, OSHA, or EU guidelines. No mutagenic or reproductive toxicity reported at expected occupational exposure levels.
Eco-toxicity: Moderately toxic to aquatic organisms. LC50 (Fish, 96 h): approximately 320 mg/L. Can cause undesirable changes to aquatic environments if large quantities are released.
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable under aerobic environmental conditions.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low potential for bioaccumulation.
Mobility in Soil: Mobile due to water solubility, likely to migrate if spilled from storage.
Other Adverse Effects: Spills into water bodies may temporarily lower oxygen content and harm aquatic life.
Waste Treatment Methods: Incineration at approved chemical waste facilities preferred for bulk quantities.
Disposal Containers: Collect in labeled, sealed, and chemical-resistant containers.
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse drums or storage containers thoroughly before reconditioning or recycling. Dispose of as hazardous chemical waste if residues remain.
Local Regulations: Comply with regional, national, and international environmental and hazardous waste laws. Do not dump into sewers, storm drains, or open bodies of water.
Special Considerations: Consult waste disposal experts or local authorities for guidance on proper methods.
UN Number: UN 1192
Proper Shipping Name: Ethyl lactate
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: III (minor danger)
Labels Required: Flammable liquid (red diamond symbol)
Marine Pollutant: Not regulated as marine pollutant under most authorities, but accidental release to water should still be avoided
Special Transport Precautions: Keep containers upright and tightly closed. Segregate from strong oxidizers and sources of ignition during transport.
International Inventories: Listed in major regulatory databases such as TSCA (US), EINECS (EU), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia), ENCS (Japan), and others
Regulatory Status: Not classified as a particularly hazardous substance, but regulated due to flammability and potential for irritation
OSHA Regulations: Subject to Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements for safe handling of hazardous chemicals
Environmental Regulations: Subject to EPA reporting requirements for large accidental spills under CERCLA and SARA Title III
Label Requirements: All packaging and shipping must comply with GHS, DOT, and international hazard labeling.
Workplace Controls: Employers must provide proper SDS information, personal protective equipment, emergency eyewash stations, and spill response supplies for staff handling ethyl lactate in bulk or laboratory settings.
