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Chemical Sampling Information |
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| 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol |
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General Description
Synonyms: 2-Ethylhexanol; 2-Ethylhexan-1-ol; Isooctyl Alcohol
OSHA IMIS Code Number: E106
IMIS Name History: 2-Ethylhexanol prior to 4/20/07
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 104-76-7
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: MP0350000
Chemical Description and Physical Properties: colorless liquid, with characteristic odor
molecular formula: C8H18O
molecular weight: 130.26
boiling point: 183°C
vapor pressure: 48 Pa @ 20°C
flash point: 81°C
melting point: -76°C
Potentially hazardous incompatibilities: Reacts violently with strong oxidants.
Health Factors
Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, nose, throat, skin; cough, sore throat; headache, dizziness, weakness
Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15); Potential narcosis (HE8)
Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, CNS
Notes:
- OSHA does not have a PEL for 2-ethylhexanol, which is a breakdown product of some phthalate plasticizers and is thought to contribute to the deterioration of indoor air quality, as well as to leach from medical-grade vinyl tubing.
- Above 73ºC, explosive vapor/air mixtures may be formed. At 20 ºC, air is saturated at a concentration of ~120 ppm.
- Disposition studies with radiolabeled 2-ethoxyethanol in rats indicated excretion of the label predominantly in the urine in the form of glucuronide conjugates of 2-ethyl-hexanoic acid, 2-ethyladipic acid, 5-hydroxy-2-ethylhexanoic acid and 6-hydroxy-2-ethylhexanoic acid.
- Exposure of rats to as much as 120 ppm of 2-ethylhexanol 6 hours/day for 90 days was reported to have no adverse effects.
- Studies of eye irritation by measuring eye blink rates in human volunteers exposed four hours to constant air levels of 2-ethylhexanol of 1.5, 10, or 20 ppm, or variable levels with 20 ppm or 40 ppm peaks, showed a dose-related increase in eye irritation.
- 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol is one of the 30 “predominant” VOCs identified by NIOSH in at least one area of a microwave popcorn plant which had eight former workers diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans. It is not known whether 2-ethylhexanol contributed to the cause of this lung disease.
Date Last Revised: 05/18/2006
Literature Basis:
- International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): 2-Ethylhexanol.
- NIOSH: Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances, 1-Hexanol, 2-ethyl-, RTECS # MP0350000.
- Deisinger, P.J., Boatman, R.J. and Guest, D.: Metabolism of 2-ethylhexanol administered orally and dermally to the female Fischer 344 rat. Xenobiotica 24(5): 429-440, 1994.
- Gomaa, A., et al.: NIOSH Investigation of Gilster Mary Lee, HETA #2000-0401, Technical Assistance to Missouri Department of Health. Interim Report, August 22, 2001, 46 pp.
- Hill, S.S., Shaw, B.R. and Wu, A.H.: Plasticizers, antioxidants, and other contaminants found in air delivered by PVC tubing used in respiratory therapy. Biomed. Chromatogr. 17(4): 250-262, 2003.
- Kiesswetter, E., van Thriel, C., Schäper, M., Blaszkewicz, M. and Seeber, A.: Eye blinks as indicator for sensory irritation during constant and peak exposures to 2-ethylhexanol. Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 19(3): 531-541, 2005.
- Klimisch, H.J., Deckardt, K., Gembardt, C. and Hildebrand, B.: Subchronic inhalation toxicity study of 2-ethylhexanol vapour in rats. Food Chem. Toxicol. 36(3): 165-168, 1998.
- Nalli, S., Horn, O.J., Grochowalski, A.R., Cooper, D.G. and Nicell, J.A.: Origin of 2-ethylhexanol as a VOC. Environ. Pollut. 140(1): 181-185, 2006.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
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sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
analytical solvent: Methylene Chloride
maximum volume: 60 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA SLTC In-House File
method classification: Not Validated
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