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SECTION 1. CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION

CHEMINFO Record Number: 799
CCOHS Chemical Name: 2-Ethylhexyl Lactate

Synonyms:
2-Ethylhexyl-2-hydroxypropanoate
2-Ethylhexyl-2-hydroxypropionate
1-Hydroxyethanecarboxylic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester
2-Hydroxypropanoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester
2-Hydroxypropionic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester
Lactic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester
Lactate de 2-ethylhexyl

CAS Registry Number: 6283-86-9
Chemical Family: Saturated aliphatic hydroxy carboxylic acid ester / saturated aliphatic hydroxy monocarboxylic acid ester / hydroxyalkanoic acid ester / alkyl hydroxyalkanoate / ethylhexyl ester / lactate
Molecular Formula: C11-H22-O3
Structural Formula: CH3-CH(OH)-C(=O)-O-CH2-CH(CH2-CH3)-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3

SECTION 2. DESCRIPTION

Appearance and Odour:
Colourless liquid.(1)

Odour Threshold:
Not available

Warning Properties:
Information not available for evaluation

Uses and Occurrences:
2-Ethylhexyl lactate is used as a degreaser.(1)

SECTION 3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW:
Colourless liquid. Not combustible, but may burn if strongly heated. Can decompose at high temperatures forming irritating/toxic gases. May be a skin and/or eye irritant.


POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

Effects of Short-Term (Acute) Exposure

Inhalation:
2-Ethylhexyl lactate has a very low vapour pressure. Therefore, it is not expected to form airborne concentrations, unless it is heated or misted. The potential health effects are unknown. Mild irritation of the nose and throat may occur. Animal toxicity values for related lactates (butyl and methyl) indicates that inhalation toxicity is low.

Skin Contact:
There is not enough information available to draw conclusions about the potential irritancy of 2-ethylhexyl lactate. Therefore, it should be considered irritating. No human or animal information was located.

Eye Contact:
There is not enough information available to draw conclusions about the potential irritancy of 2-ethylhexyl lactate. Therefore, it should be considered irritating. No human or animal information was located.

Ingestion:
There is no human information available for 2-ethylhexyl lactate. Based on an animal toxicity value, it is probably not harmful following ingestion. Ingestion is not a typical route of occupational exposure.

Effects of Long-Term (Chronic) Exposure

There is no information available about the potential effects of long-term exposure to 2-ethylhexyl lactate.

Carcinogenicity:

There is no human or animal information available.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has not evaluated the carcinogenicity of this chemical.

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has no listing for this chemical.

The US National Toxicology Program (NTP) has not listed this chemical in its report on carcinogens.

Teratogenicity and Embryotoxicity:
There is no human or animal information available.

Reproductive Toxicity:
There is no human or animal information available.

Mutagenicity:
There is no information available.

Toxicologically Synergistic Materials:
There is no information available.

Potential for Accumulation:
There is no specific information available for ethylhexyl lactate. Based on information reported for other related esters, ethylhexyl lactate may be metabolized to lactic acid and ethylhexanol.(1) L(+)-Lactic acid is a normal metabolic intermediate produced by most mammalian cells.

SECTION 4. FIRST AID MEASURES

Inhalation:
No health effects expected. If symptoms are experienced, remove source of contamination and have victim move to fresh air. If symptoms persist, obtain medical advice.

Skin Contact:
If irritation occurs, flush with lukewarm, gently flowing water for 5 minutes. If irritation persists, repeat flushing and obtain medical attention. Completely decontaminate clothing, shoes and leather goods before re-use.

Eye Contact:
If irritation occurs, flush with lukewarm, gently flowing water for 5 minutes. If irritation persists, repeat flushing and obtain medical attention. Completely decontaminate clothing, shoes and leather goods before re-use.

Ingestion:
If irritation or discomfort occur, obtain medical advice immediately.

First Aid Comments:
All first aid procedures should be periodically reviewed by a doctor familiar with the material and its conditions of use in the workplace.


SECTION 5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

Flash Point:
112 deg C (233.6 deg F) (closed cup) (1)

Lower Flammable (Explosive) Limit (LFL/LEL):
Not available

Upper Flammable (Explosive) Limit (UFL/UEL):
Not available

Autoignition (Ignition) Temperature:
Not available

Sensitivity to Mechanical Impact:
Not sensitive. Stable compound.

Sensitivity to Static Charge:
No specific information is available for ethylhexyl lactate. It will probably not accumulate static charge, since hydroxy esters have high electrical conductivities.

Combustion and Thermal Decomposition Products:
Incomplete combustion may produce irritating fumes and acrid smoke.

Fire Hazard Summary:
Ethylhexyl lactate may burn if strongly heated. During a fire, irritating/toxic gases and fumes may be generated.

Extinguishing Media:
Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, alcohol foam, polymer foam or water spray or fog.

Fire Fighting Instructions:
Evacuate area and fight fire from a safe distance or a protected location. Approach fire from upwind to avoid possible toxic decomposition products.
Water or foam may cause frothing. The frothing may be violent and could endanger personnel close to the fire. However, a water spray or fog that is carefully applied to the surface of the burning material, preferably with a fine spray or fog nozzle, will cause frothing that will blanket and extinguish the fire. In addition, water spray or fog can be used to prevent dust formation, absorb heat, keep containers cool and protect exposed material. If a leak or spill has not ignited, use water spray to disperse the vapours and protect personnel attempting to stop a leak. Water spray may be used to flush spills away from ignition sources. Solid streams of water may be ineffective and spread material.
Firefighter's may enter the area if positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (MSHA/NIOSH approved or equivalent) and full Bunker Gear is worn.


NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

NFPA - Comments:
NFPA has no listing for this chemical in Codes 49 or 325.

SECTION 9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Molecular Weight: 202.3

Conversion Factor:
1 ppm = 8.257 mg/m3; 1 mg/m3 = 0.121 ppm at 25 deg C (calculated)

Physical State: Liquid
Melting Point: Not available
Boiling Point: 190-255 deg C (374 deg F) (1)
Relative Density (Specific Gravity): Not available
Solubility in Water: sparingly soluble (300 mg/L) (1)
Solubility in Other Liquids: Not available
Coefficient of Oil/Water Distribution (Partition Coefficient): Not available
pH Value: Not available
Viscosity-Dynamic: Not available
Vapour Density: Not available
Vapour Pressure: 0.002 kPa (0.015 mm Hg) at 20 deg C; 0.6 kPa (4.5 mm Hg) at 100 deg C (1)
Saturation Vapour Concentration: 19.7 ppm (0.002%) at 20 deg C (calculated)
Evaporation Rate: Not available

SECTION 10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Stability:
Normally stable

Hazardous Polymerization:
Does not occur

Incompatibility - Materials to Avoid:

NOTE: Chemical reactions that could result in a hazardous situation (e.g. generation of flammable or toxic chemicals, fire or detonation) are listed here. Many of these reactions can be done safely if specific control measures (e.g. cooling of the reaction) are in place. Although not intended to be complete, an overview of important reactions involving common chemicals is provided to assist in the development of safe work practices.


STRONG OXIDIZING AGENTS (e.g. hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, or chromates) - may react vigorously or violently, with risk of fire and explosion.
STRONG ACIDS (e.g. sulfuric, hydrochloric or nitric acids) or BASES (e.g. sodium or potassium hydroxide) - decomposition (hydrolysis) can occur, releasing heat. The reaction may be vigorous or violent.

Hazardous Decomposition Products:
None reported

Conditions to Avoid:
Heat, open flames

Corrosivity to Metals:
No specific information is available for ethylhexyl lactate. Based on the corrosivity of other lactates, ethylhexyl lactate is probably not corrosive to the common metals, such as steel, cast iron, stainless steel, copper and its alloys, nickel and its alloys, and aluminum.

SECTION 11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

LD50 (oral, rat): Greater than 2000 mg/kg (1, unconfirmed)

SECTION 16. OTHER INFORMATION

Selected Bibliography:
(1) Criteria Group for Occupational Standards, National Institute for Working Life. Consensus report for lactates. In: Scientific Basis for Swedish Occupational Standards XVI. Edited by P. Lundberg. Arbete Och Halsa. Vol. 19 (1995). p. 68-73

Information on chemicals reviewed in the CHEMINFO database is drawn from a number of publicly available sources. A list of general references used to compile CHEMINFO records is available in the database Help.


Review/Preparation Date: 2000-04-03

Revision Indicators:
Short-term skin contact 2006-01-25
Short-term eye contact 2006-01-25
Emergency overview 2006-01-25
First aid skin 2006-01-25
First aid eye 2006-01-25
Eye/face protection 2006-01-31
Skin protection 2006-01-31
Engineering controls 2006-01-31
Handling 2006-01-31



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