| Agent Name |
Ethyl ether |
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| Alternative Name |
Diethyl ether |
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| CAS Number |
60-29-7 |
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| Formula |
C4-H10-O |
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| Major Category |
Solvents |
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| Synonyms |
1,1'-Oxybisethane; 3-Oxapentane; Aether; Anaesthetic ether; Anesthesia ether; Anesthetic ether; Diaethylaether [German]; Diethyl oxide; Dwuetylowy eter [Polish]; Etere etilico [Italian]; Ethane, 1,1'-oxybis-; Ether; Ether ethylique [French]; Ether, ethyl; Ethoxyethane; Ethyl ether; Ethyl ether, tech.; Ethyl oxide; Oxyde d'ethyle [French]; Pronarcol; Solvent ether; [ChemIDplus] UN1155 |
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| Category |
Ethers |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid with a pungent, sweetish odor; Note: A gas above 94 degrees F; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a solvent and a reagent in organic syntheses; [ACGIH] Used as a solvent (waxes, fats, oils, perfumes, gums, nitrocellulose, alkaloids); Also used to prime gasoline engines; [Merck Index] |
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| Comments |
Abnormal liver function tests has been reported in patients anesthetized with ethyl ether. Abuse of ether by workers, "ether jags," has been reported. [ACGIH] Ethyl ether is in the list of "Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation" published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers. [Reference #1] An eye and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] |
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| Reference Link |
Volatile Substance Abuse |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
400 ppm |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
500 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
400 ppm |
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| MAK |
400 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
1900 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: The lowest anesthetic limit is 19,000 ppm [Clayton and Clayton 1981]. It has been stated that the inhalation of 2,000 ppm if continued to equilibrium in the blood would cause dizziness in some persons [Henderson and Haggard 1943]. Concentrations in the workplace of 500 to 1,000 ppm or more have not resulted in demonstrable injury to health [Cook 1945]. It has been reported that the inhalation of 35,000 ppm causes loss of consciousness within 30 to 40 minutes, and concentrations above 75,000 ppm are dangerous to life [Pennsylvania 1973]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
538 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.3 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LCLo (rats) = 32,000 ppm/4h |
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| Explanatory Notes |
IDLH = 10% LEL; Odor threshold (100% recognition) from CHEMINFO; Flash point = -45 deg C; |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
4: burns readily |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: DIETHYL ETHER
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