Product Name: N-Butyl Lactate
Chemical Formula: C7H14O3
Synonyms: Butyl 2-hydroxypropanoate, Lactic acid butyl ester
CAS Number: 138-22-7
Recommended Use: Used in industrial cleaning, coatings, inks, and adhesives
Manufacturer/Supplier: Provided by local supplier or industrial chemical manufacturer
Contact Information: Refer to supplier for region-specific information; emergency phone numbers supplied on the packaging or available through Poison Control Centers
Emergency Procedures: For exposure or spill, use local chemical incident resources or emergency services immediately
GHS Classification: Causes eye irritation, causes skin irritation, may cause respiratory irritation, category 3 flammable liquid
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed or inhaled, causes serious eye irritation, causes skin irritation, combustible liquid
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Pictograms: Exclamation mark, flame
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with skin and eyes, wear protective gloves, do not breathe vapors
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system in cases of significant exposure
Chemical Name: N-Butyl Lactate
Concentration: 98-100%
Impurities: Minor impurities of water and/or lactic acid may occur depending on supplier
Additional Info: Not mixed intentionally with hazardous stabilizers, additives, or other solvents
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep comfortable for breathing, seek medical attention if symptoms develop or persist
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and plenty of water, remove contaminated clothing, medical attention needed for irritation or allergic reaction
Eye Contact: Rinse slowly and gently with water for 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing, seek medical care if irritation persists
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel, get medical help if feeling unwell
Most Important Symptoms: Eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation; headache; dizziness if inhaled in high concentrations
Advice for Physicians: Provide symptomatic support; treat respiratory or allergic symptoms as they arise
Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide; avoid water streams if possible
Specific Hazards: Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air, combustion can produce carbon oxides and toxic fumes
Special Equipment: Firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Firefighting Procedures: Approach from upwind, cool unopened containers with water spray, evacuate area for large fires
Personal Protection: Ventilate area, wear chemical splash goggles, gloves, and proper clothing
Spill Response: Absorb with inert material (sand, earth, vermiculite), transfer to suitable container for disposal
Clean-up: Prevent entry into drains or waterways, wash spill site thoroughly after material pickup
Environmental Precaution: Stop further leakage, avoid soil and water contamination, inform local authorities if necessary
Precautions for Handling: Use in well-ventilated spaces, avoid inhalation and direct contact, keep away from sparks and open flames, use grounded equipment
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly closed original containers, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, separate from strong oxidizers, bases, or acids, avoid sources of ignition
Incompatibility: Reacts with strong acids, bases, and oxidizing agents, can degrade certain plastics and rubbers
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands and skin after handling, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in working area
Exposure Limits: No established OSHA, NIOSH, or ACGIH limits, control vapor levels below strong solvent odor threshold
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, general ventilation, prevent vapor accumulation
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, butyl or nitrile rubber gloves, flame-resistant apron recommended
Respiratory Protection: Use organic vapor/particulate respirator if airborne limits approach or exceed safe levels
Environmental Controls: Prevent discharge into the environment, restrict use in open drains or water bodies
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Mild, fruity
pH: Not available
Melting Point: −60°C
Boiling Point: 186–190°C
Flash Point: 72°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Slower than water
Vapor Pressure: 0.60 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 4.7 (air=1)
Relative Density: 1.02 g/cm³
Solubility: Moderately soluble in water, miscible with most organic solvents
Partition coefficient (log Kow): 0.5–1.0
Viscosity: 2.2 mPa·s at 20°C
Auto-ignition Temperature: 355°C
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Hazardous Reactions: May react with strong oxidizers, acids, or bases to produce hazardous byproducts
Polymerization: Not expected to polymerize in storage
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flames, sparks, static discharge, strong sunlight
Decomposition Products: May produce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and irritating acrid fumes upon combustion or thermal decomposition
Acute Toxicity (Oral): LD50 (rat, oral): 3500 mg/kg
Acute Toxicity (Dermal): LD50 (rabbit, skin): >5000 mg/kg
Inhalation Toxicity: LC50 not well documented; exposure primarily causes respiratory tract irritation
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes mild to moderate irritation, redness, repeated exposure can lead to dryness
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes moderate to severe irritation, redness, watering
Sensitization: Not classified as sensitizer
Mutagenicity, Carcinogenicity, Reproductive Toxicity: No data showing mutagenic, carcinogenic, or reproductive hazard in typical use
Chronic Exposure: No long-term hazard data, monitor for cumulative skin or respiratory irritation in frequent use
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms in high concentrations, LC50 (fish 96hr) >100 mg/L
Mobility: Moderately mobile in soil and water, potential for leaching
Persistence and Degradability: Expected to biodegrade readily, breaks down into lactic acid and butanol
Bioaccumulation: Not expected to accumulate in aquatic organisms due to low log Kow
Other Adverse Effects: May contribute to local oxygen demand in water bodies during breakdown
Waste Handling: Collect and containerize for disposal, never pour down drains or into soil
Methods of Disposal: Incinerate in approved facility or submit to licensed chemical processor
Packaging Disposal: Rinse and triple-puncture empty containers before recycling or landfilling in accordance with local, regional, or national regulations
Regulatory Waste Code: Classified under non-halogenated solvent code in many jurisdictions, consult local waste authority
UN Number: UN 2810
Shipping Name: Toxic Liquid, Organic, N.O.S. (contains N-Butyl Lactate)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (toxic substances) for air and sea; not regulated for ground in small volumes
Packing Group: III
Hazard Label: Toxic, flammable if above flash point
Special Precautions: Keep containers upright and tight, segregate from incompatible substances
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant
OSHA: Not specifically listed, handle as hazardous chemical
TSCA: Listed in US Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
REACH: Registered substance in EU, follow local requirements for handling and reporting
SARA Title III: Not listed under EPCRA Section 313
WHMIS (Canada): Controlled product, meets requirements for Class D2B (Toxic Material Causing Other Toxic Effects)
Other Local/National Regulation: Subject to chemical storage and fire regulations, state or provincial registration may apply
Safety Assessment: Review workplace chemical safety programs and comply with regular training and reporting as needed
