Product Name: Propylene Glycol
Chemical Formula: C3H8O2
Synonyms: 1,2-Propanediol, PG
CAS Number: 57-55-6
Manufacturer: Multiple global chemical suppliers, including Dow Chemical
Recommended Uses: Solvent in pharmaceuticals, food processing, personal care products, industrial antifreeze
Contact Information for Manufacturer: Emergency information available through CHEMTREC or manufacturer direct line
Classification: Non-hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Physical Hazards: Minimal combustion risk; burns in intense fire
Health Hazards: Eye irritation; mild skin irritation possible; ingesting large amounts leads to nausea
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as environmentally hazardous, but large spills can affect aquatic life indirectly
Label Elements: No hazard pictogram required; basic warning about eye contact
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statement: May cause slight irritation to eyes and skin
Precautionary Statement: Avoid prolonged skin contact; avoid splashing into eyes
Chemical Name: Propylene Glycol
Synonyms: 1,2-Propanediol
Concentration: Generally above 99% for industrial and food grade
Impurities: Trace water & bisphenol-A byproducts possible in low levels
Other Identifiers: EINECS: 200-338-0
Stabilizers or Additives: None customarily added in base grade
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air if symptoms appear; seek medical advice for persistent headache or dizziness
Skin Contact: Wash skin with lots of soap and water; remove contaminated clothing
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water, lifting eyelids occasionally; continue flushing for 10-15 minutes if irritation persists
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; do not induce vomiting; drink water; get medical help if large quantities swallowed
Delayed Effects: Monitor for allergic reactions or prolonged irritation
Special Treatment: Supportive care only; treat symptomatically
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, water mist
Unsuitable Media: Direct jet of water spreads liquid
Specific Hazards from Fire: Decomposes above 280°C, releasing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide; may form explosive mixtures with air in confined spaces
Protective Equipment: Firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus, standard fire-resistant gear
Fire & Explosion Hazard: Burns with a weak, smoky flame; in a confined container under fire exposure, ruptures possible
Advice for Firefighters: Move containers from fire area if safe, otherwise keep cool with spraying water
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, goggles, protective clothing to avoid contact
Emergency Procedures: Remove ignition sources around spill, ventilate area
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff to sewers, surface water, or soil
Cleaning Methods: Absorb spill with inert material like sand or vermiculite, collect in suitable containers
Decontamination: Flush spill area with plenty of water after cleanup
Handling: Use only with adequate ventilation; avoid prolonged or repeated contact with skin; keep containers tightly closed; prevent static discharge by grounding
Hygiene Practice: Wash hands after handling, even if gloves were worn; launder contaminated clothing
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from strong oxidizers; protect from moisture
Incompatibilities: Avoid mixing with strong acids, alkalis, or oxidizing agents
Packaging Materials: Store in steel, aluminum, or polyethylene containers
Temperature Sensitivity: Keep away from heat sources above flash point, although PG has high stability up to 280°C
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 10 mg/m3 aerosol limit
Monitoring: Not commonly necessary unless in high aerosol/vapor conditions
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation if large quantities processed
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof goggles, lightweight lab coats
Respiratory Protection: Not usually required under standard conditions; use NIOSH-approved respirator under high vapor/aerosol exposure
Other Protective Items: Eyewash facilities and safety showers where bulk PG is handled
Environmental Safety: Prevent discharge into drains or surface water
Appearance: Clear, colorless, odorless, viscous liquid
Odor: Very low, faintly sweet
Boiling Point: 187°C
Melting Point: -59°C
Flash Point: 99°C closed cup
Auto-Ignition Temp: 371°C
Explosive Limits: 2.6–12.6% v/v in air
Vapor Pressure: 0.07 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 2.6 (air = 1)
Density/Specific Gravity: 1.036 g/cm3 at 20°C
Solubility: Miscible in water, alcohol, acetone, chloroform
Evaporation Rate: Very low
Partition Coefficient: log Pow -0.92
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Reactivity: Inert toward common construction materials
Conditions to Avoid: High heat, open flame, proximity to oxidizers
Incompatible Materials: Concentrated nitric acid, perchloric acid, strong oxidizing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide under intense heat
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not occur
Sensitivity: Not sensitive to impact or static
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity, oral LD50 rat >20,000 mg/kg
Skin Contact: Causes mild, reversible irritation following prolonged exposure
Eye Contact: Mild, temporary irritation if splashed
Chronic Effects: No carcinogenicity or reproductive toxicity shown in human studies
Sensitization: Rarely reported; high doses may lead to allergies in sensitive skin
Target Organs: No significant organ toxicity at workplace exposures
Inhalation Effects: Mild, short-term upper respiratory tract irritation if mist inhaled
Ecotoxicity: Moderate effect on aquatic organisms at high concentrations, not classified as marine pollutant
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegrades rapidly in water and soil; half-life under aerobic conditions ranges from a few days to weeks
Bioaccumulation: Low potential, log Pow value indicates rapid breakdown
Mobility in Soil: High, moves easily through soil profile if released
Other Adverse Effects: Oxygen depletion possible in water bodies after large spills due to microbial degradation
Waste Handling: Recycle where possible through chemical waste service
Disposal Methods: Incinerate in approved facility or treat with wastewater under suitable controls
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse containers thoroughly, dispose as industrial waste
Regulations: Disposal aligned with local and national environmental regulations
Special Precautions: Avoid discharge to surface water, drains, or soil
Spill Residues: Absorb onto inert material before disposal
UN Number: Not regulated for transport
Proper Shipping Name: Propylene Glycol
Transport Hazard Class: Non-hazardous under ADR, IMDG, IATA
Packing Group: Not applicable
Environmental Hazards: None classified under bulk transport regulation
Special Precautions: Transport in tightly closed containers; prevent leaks
Bulk Transport: No bulk transport restrictions; ship in food-grade or chemical-grade tankers if large volumes
United States: Listed on TSCA, FDA approved as food additive (GRAS)
Europe: REACH-registered, listed in EINECS
Occupational Limits: OSHA workplace limits not defined specific to PG, ACGIH sets 10 mg/m3 for aerosol
Other International: Australian AICS listed; Canadian DSL listed
Labeling: Not classified as hazardous under GHS; no hazard pictogram
Restrictions: Restrictions only for industrial scale applications, such as emissions limits in chemical plants
Restrictions in Use: For ingestion and personal care, follow food and pharma grade requirements
