Agent Name |
Ethyl acetate |
CAS Number |
141-78-6 |
Formula |
C4-H8-O2 |
Major Category |
Solvents |
Synonyms |
Acetate d'ethyle [French]; Acetato de etilo [Spanish]; Acetic acid, ethyl ester; Acetic ether; Acetidin; Acetoxyethane; Aethylacetat [German]; Essigester [German]; Ethyl acetate; Ethyl acetate (natural); Ethyl acetic ester; Ethyl ester; Ethyl ethanoate; Ethylacetaat [Dutch]; Ethylacetate; Ethyle (acetate d') [French]; Ethylester kyseliny octove [Czech]; Etile (acetato di) [Italian]; Octan etylu [Polish]; Vinegar naphtha; [ChemIDplus] UN1173 |
Category |
Esters |
Description |
A clear colorless liquid with a fruity odor; [CAMEO] |
Sources/Uses |
Used as a solvent for organic chemicals and surface coatings; [ACGIH] |
Comments |
Ethyl acetate 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; Inhalation of high concentrations may cause CNS effects; [ICSC] |
Reference Link |
Volatile Substance Abuse |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
TLV (ACGIH) |
400 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) |
400 ppm |
MAK |
400 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
2000 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Workers regularly exposed to concentrations from 375 to 1,500 ppm for several months showed no unusual signs or symptoms [Patty 1963]. Concentrations in the range of 8,000 to 20,000 ppm have been considered dangerous for short exposures [Henderson and Haggard 1943]. |
Vapor Pressure |
93.2 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
6.4 ppm |
Odor Threshold High |
50 ppm |
RD50 |
614 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (mice) = 45,000 mg/m3/2H |
Explanatory Notes |
IDLH = 10% LEL; Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 18 ppm); Flash point = 7.2 deg C; |
Half Life |
No reports found; [TDR, p. 625] |
Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
Adverse Effects |
Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: ETHYL ACETATE
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