Agent Name |
Ethanolamine |
Alternative Name |
2-Aminoethanol |
CAS Number |
141-43-5 |
Formula |
C2-H7-N-O |
Major Category |
Nitrogen Compounds |
Synonyms |
1-Amino-2-hydroxyethane; 2-Amino-1-ethanol; 2-Aminoaethanol [German]; 2-Aminoetanolo [Italian]; 2-Aminoethanol; 2-Hydroxyethanamine; 2-Hydroxyethylamine; Aethanolamin [German]; Aminoethanol; Colamine; Etanolamina [Italian]; Ethanol, 2-amino-; Ethanolamine; Ethylolamine; Glycinol; Glycinol (monoethanolamine); Kolamin [Czech]; MEA (alcohol); Monoaethanolamin [German]; Monoethanolamine; Olamine; Thiofaco M-50; beta-Aminoethyl alcohol; beta-Hydroxyethylamine; [ChemIDplus] UN2491 |
Category |
Ethanolamines |
Description |
Colorless, viscous liquid or solid (below 51 degrees F) with an unpleasant, ammonia-like odor; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used as a scavenger for CO2 and H2S in natural gas; used in the synthesis of surface active agents, hair waving agents, hide softeners, agricultural chemicals, and antibiotics; [Merck Index, # 3727] Used in soaps, cosmetics, polishes, paints, cutting oils, and textile processing; [HSDB] Used in photography (color developing bath); [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html] |
Comments |
Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure; [CHRIS] Ethanolamine is a skin irritant. [Quick CPC] Occupational asthma reported in hairdressers; [Malo] Toxic to the liver in subchronic inhalation studies of animals; [ACGIH] It is an irritant, but allergic contact dermatitis has been reported. [Kanerva, p. 1162] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; Can cause skin sensitization; [ICSC] |
Reference Link |
Allergic contact dermatitis from mono-, di- and triethanolamine |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
TLV (ACGIH) |
3 ppm |
STEL (ACGIH) |
6 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) |
3 ppm |
MAK |
2 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
30 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Other animal data: Cats exposed for 2 hours to vapors of ethanolamine at concentrations reaching 970 ppm displayed vomiting tendencies; mice had no adverse effects from the same exposures [Sidorov et al. 1968]. A single 8�hour exposure to "concentrated vapors" did not kill any of six rats [UCC 1970]. Guinea pigs survived a 15�minute exposure to ethanolamine at 193 ppm [Treon et al. 1957]. |
Vapor Pressure |
0.4 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
2.6 ppm |
Odor Threshold High |
5 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (mice) > 2,420mg/m3/2H |
Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold (detect at 2.6 ppm and recognize at 5 ppm) from CHEMINFO; Flash point = 86 deg C; |
Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
Flammability (NFPA) |
2: high ambient temperature required |
Adverse Effects |
Asthma |
Yes |
Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
Skin Sensitizer |
Yes |
Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: 2-AMINOETHANOL
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