This guideline summarizes pertinent information about ethanolamine for workers and employers as well as for physicians, industrial hygienists, and other occupational safety and health professionals who may need such information to conduct effective occupational safety and health programs. Recommendations may be superseded by new developments in these fields; readers are therefore advised to regard these recommendations as general guidelines and to determine whether new information is available.

SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION

* Formula
C(2)H(7)NO

* Structure
For Structure, see paper copy)

* Synonyms
Ethylolamine, monoethanolamine, beta-aminoethyl alcohol, aminoethanol, 2-hydroxyethylamine

* Identifiers

1. CAS No.: 141-43-5
2. RTECS No.: KJ5775000
3. DOT UN: 2491 60
4. DOT label: Corrosive

* Appearance and odor

Ethanolamine is a colorless, viscous, flammable liquid with a fishy, ammonia-like odor. Air odor threshold concentrations ranging from 2 to 4 parts per million (ppm) parts of air have been reported.

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

* Physical data

1. Molecular weight: 61.1
2. Boiling point (at 760 mm Hg): 170.5 degrees C (338.9 degrees F)
3. Specific gravity (water = 1): 1.02 at 20 degrees C (68 degrees F)
4. Vapor density: 2.1
5. Melting point: 10.3 degrees C (51 degrees F)
6. Vapor pressure at 20 degrees C (68 degrees F): 0.4 mm Hg
7. Solubility: Miscible in water, acetone, methanol, and water.
8. Evaporation rate: Data not available.

* Reactivity

1. Conditions contributing to instability: Heat, sparks, or open flame.
2. Incompatibilities: Contact between ethanolamine and strong oxidizers, strong acids, or iron should be avoided.
3. Hazardous decomposition products: Toxic gases and vapors (such as oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide) may be released in a fire involving ethanolamine.
4. Special precautions: Liquid ethanolamine will attack some forms of plastic, rubber, and coatings.

* Flammability

The National Fire Protection Association has assigned a flammability rating of 2 (moderate fire hazard) to ethanolamine.

1. Flash point: 85 degrees C (185 degrees F)
2. Auto-ignition temperature: 410 degrees C (770 degrees F)
3. Flammable limits in air (percent by volume): Lower, 5.5 (estimated); upper, 17 (estimated)
4. Extinguishant: For small fires use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or regular foam. Use water spray, fog, or regular foam to fight large fires involving ethanolamine.

Fires involving ethanolamine should be fought upwind from the maximum distance possible. Keep unnecessary people away; isolate the hazard area and deny entry. Emergency personnel should stay out of low areas. Containers of ethanolamine may explode in the heat of the fire and should be moved from the fire area if it is possible to do so safely. If this is not possible, cool fire exposed containers from the sides with water until well after the fire is out. Stay away from the ends of containers. Firefighters should wear a full set of protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus when fighting fires involving ethanolamine.

EXPOSURE LIMITS

* OSHA PEL

The current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) for ethanolamine is 3 ppm (6 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m(3))) as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) concentration [29 CFR 1910.1000, Table Z-1].

* NIOSH REL

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established a recommended exposure limit (REL) for ethanolamine of 3 ppm (8 mg/m(3)) as a TWA for up to a 10-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek and a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 6 ppm (15 mg/m(3)) for periods not to exceed 15 minutes [NIOSH 1992].

* ACGIH TLV

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has assigned ethanolamine a threshold limit value (TLV) of 3 ppm mg/m(3)) as a TWA for a normal 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek and a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 6 ppm (15 mg/m(3)) for periods not to exceed 15 minutes. Exposures at the STEL concentration should not be repeated more than four times a day and should be separated by intervals of at least 60 minutes [ACGIH 1994, p. 21].

* Rationale for Limits

The NIOSH limits are based on the risk of skin, eye, and respiratory irritation; and narcotic effects [NIOSH 1992].

The ACGIH limits are based on the risk of systemic effects [ACGIH p. 561].

HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

* Routes of Exposure

Exposure to ethanolamine can occur through inhalation, ingestion, eye or skin contact, and absorption through the skin [Sittig 1991].

* Summary of toxicology

1. Effects on Animals: Ethanolamine is irritating to the skin, eyes, and lungs, and at high concentrations, it causes central nervous system depression in exposed animals [Hathaway et al. 1991]. The LD(50)s for acute oral exposure are 2,140 mg/kg and 700 mg/kg in rats and mice, respectively. The dermal LD(50) in rabbits is 1,000 mg/kg [Sax and Lewis 1989]. In a 90-day study of subacute oral toxicity, rats exposed to a maximum daily dose of 320 mg/kg ethanolamine showed no effects. At 640 mg/kg, altered kidney and liver weights were noted, and at 1,200 mg/kg, microscopic pathological changes were noted in the liver and kidneys [Clayton and Clayton 1982]. When dogs and cats were exposed to 990 ppm for 7 hours/day for 4 days, all animals survived. However, four of six guinea pigs exposed to 233 ppm for 1 hour died. Among animals exposed to approximately 100 ppm, respiratory distress, lethargy, and mild degenerative changes in the liver and kidneys were noted [Hathaway et al. 1991; Gosselin 1984; Clayton and Clayton 1982]. Skin irritation, lethargy, and temporary weight loss have been reported in animals exposed to 12 ppm or less [ACGIH 1991]. Contact of the pure liquid with the skin caused mild skin irritation in rabbits. Instillation in the eyes of rabbits caused severe irritationgrade 9 on a scale of 1 to 10). Neutralized ethanolamine solutions do not cause eye damage [Grant 1986; Hathaway et al. 1991].
2. Effects on Humans: Ethanolamine is an irritant of the eyes, skin, and lungs. At high concentrations in animals, inhalation causes lung irritation, and the same effect is likely in humans. It is a mild irritant of human skin; the liquid applied to the skin for 1.5 hours produced marked redness but no other problems [Hathaway et al. 1991]. Following ingestion, the alkalinity of ethanolamine will produce mucosal burns of the mouth and esophagus [Gosselin 1984].

* Signs and symptoms of exposure

1. Acute exposure: Exposure to ethanolamine vapor or liquid can cause irritation of the eyes and, in high concentrations, can be expected to cause severe burns of the eyes with pain, tearing, and inflammation. Skin exposure will produce local areas of redness and perhaps pain. If ingested, burning of the mouth, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, increased salivation, nausea, and vomiting can be expected.
2. Chronic exposure: No signs or symptoms of chronic exposure to ethanolamine have been reported in humans.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROCEDURES

* Emergency medical procedures: [NIOSH to supply]

Rescue: Remove an incapacitated worker from further exposure and implement appropriate emergency procedures (e.g., those listed on the Material Safety Data Sheet required by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard [29 CFR 1910.1200]). All workers should be familiar with emergency procedures, the location and proper use of emergency equipment, and methods of protecting themselves during rescue operations.

EXPOSURE SOURCES AND CONTROL METHODS

The following operations may involve ethanolamine and lead to worker exposures to this substance:

• The manufacture and transportation of ethanolamine
• Use in recovery and removal of acid gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and hydrogen sulfide) from natural, fuel, and process gas; in algicides; in dry ice manufacture
• Use in production of monoalkanolamides for nonionic detergents, emulsifiers, and soaps; in dry cleaning; in wool treatment; in fuel oil additives and water-in-oil emulsifiers; as a corrosion inhibitor; in electroplating; in pharmaceuticals; as a dispersing agent for agricultural chemicals; in hair-waving solutions; as cross-linking agents in polyurethanes and chelating agents; in cosmetics, emulsion paints, polishes, and cleansers
• Use during synthesis of acelethanolamine, in manufacture of inks, paper, glues, textiles, and polishes; in synthesis of phenylethanolamine for acetate rayon dyes, dyestuffs; in synthesis of tolyethanolamine
• Use during synthesis of 2-mercaptothiazole in rubber vulcanization acceleration; as a softening agent for hides Chemical intermediate for fatty ethanolamines; use as an accelerator in the manufacture of antibiotics and in synthesis of surface-active agents

Methods that are effective in controlling worker exposures to ethanolamine, depending on the feasibility of implementation, are as follows:

• Process enclosure Local exhaust ventilation General dilution ventilation Personal protective equipment
• Workers responding to a release or potential release of a hazardous substance must be protected as required by paragraph (q) of OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard [29 CFR

Good sources of information about control methods are as follows:

1. ACGIH [1992]. Industrial ventilation--a manual of recommended practice. 21st ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.
2. Burton DJ [1986]. Industrial ventilation--a self study companion. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.
3. Alden JL, Kane JM [1982]. Design of industrial ventilation systems. New York, NY: Industrial Press, Inc.
4. Wadden RA, Scheff PA [1987]. Engineering design for control of workplace hazards. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
5. Plog BA [1988]. Fundamentals of industrial hygiene. Chicago, IL: National Safety Council.

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE

OSHA is currently developing requirements for medical surveillance. When these requirements are promulgated, readers should refer to them for additional information and to determine whether employers whose employees are exposed to ethanolamine are required to implement medical surveillance procedures.

* Medical Screening

Workers who may be exposed to chemical hazards should be monitored in a systematic program of medical surveillance that is intended to prevent occupational injury and disease. The program should include education of employers and workers about work-related hazards, early detection of adverse health effects, and referral of workers for diagnosis and treatment. The occurrence of disease or other work-related adverse health effects should prompt immediate evaluation of primary preventive measures (e.g., industrial hygiene monitoring, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment). A medical surveillance program is intended to supplement, not replace, such measures. To detect and control work-related health effects, medical evaluations should be performed (1) before job placement, periodically during the term of employment, and (3) at the time of job transfer or termination.

* Pre-placement medical evaluation

Before a worker is placed in a job with a potential for exposure to ethanolamine, a licensed health care professional should evaluate and document the worker's baseline health status with thorough medical, environmental, and occupational histories, a physical examination, and physiologic and laboratory tests appropriate for the anticipated occupational risks. These should concentrate on the function and integrity of the skin, liver, and kidneys.

A pre-placement medical evaluation is recommended to assess medical conditions that may be aggravated or may result in increased risk when a worker is exposed to ethanolamine at or below the prescribed exposure limit. The health care professional should consider the probable frequency, intensity, and duration of exposure as well as the nature and degree of any applicable medical condition. Such conditions (which should not be regarded as absolute contraindications to job placement) include a history and other findings consistent with diseases of the skin, liver, and kidneys.

* Periodic medical evaluations

Occupational health interviews and physical examinations should be performed at regular intervals during the employment period, as mandated by any applicable Federal, State, or local standard. Where no standard exists and the hazard is minimal, evaluations should be conducted every 3 to 5 years or as frequently as recommended by an experienced occupational health physician. Additional examinations may be necessary if a worker develops symptoms attributable to ethanolamine exposure. The interviews, examinations, and medical screening tests should focus on identifying the adverse effects of ethanolamine on the skin, liver, or kidneys. Current health status should be compared with the baseline health status of the individual worker or with expected values for a suitable reference population.

* Termination medical evaluations

The medical, environmental, and occupational history interviews, the physical examination, and selected physiologic or laboratory tests that were conducted at the time of placement should be repeated at the time of job transfer or termination to determine the worker's medical status at the end of his or her employment. Any changes in the worker's health status should be compared with those expected for a suitable reference population.

* Biological monitoring

Biological monitoring involves sampling and analyzing body tissues or fluids to provide an index of exposure to a toxic substance or metabolite. No biological monitoring test acceptable for routine use has yet been developed for ethanolamine.

WORKPLACE MONITORING AND MEASUREMENT

Determination of a worker's exposure to airborne ethanolamine is made using a coated XAD-2 tube (80/40 mg sections, 20/60 mesh); coating isw/w) 1-naphthyl isothiocyanate (NITC). Samples are collected at a maximum flow rate of 0.1 liter/minute until a maximum collection volume of 10 liters (TWA), 1.5 liters (STEL) is reached. The sampleis then treated with dimethyl formamide. Analysis is conducted by high performance liquid chromatography using an ultraviolet detector (HPLC/UV). This method partially validated and is described in the OSHA Computerized Information System [OSHA 1994]. NIOSH has a different published method (Method No. 2007) that relies upon sample collection on a silica gel tube and analysis by gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector (GC/FID) [NIOSH 1994b].

PERSONAL HYGIENE PROCEDURES

If ethanolamine contacts the skin, workers should flush the affected areas immediately with plenty of water, followed by washing with soap and water.
Clothing contaminated with ethanolamine should be removed immediately, and provisions should be made for the safe removal ofthe chemical from the clothing. Persons laundering the clothes should be informed of the hazardous properties of ethanolamine.

A worker who handles ethanolamine should thoroughly wash hands, forearms, and face with soap and water before eating, using tobacco products, using toilet facilities, applying cosmetics, or taking medication.

Workers should not eat, drink, use tobacco products, apply cosmetics, or take medication in areas where ethanolamine or a solution containing ethanolamine is handled, processed, or stored.

STORAGE

Ethanolamine should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in tightly sealed containers that are labeled in accordance with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard [29 CFR 1910.1200]. Containers of ethanolamine should be protected from physical damage and ignition sources, and should be stored separately from strong oxidizers, strong acids, and iron should.

SPILLS AND LEAKS

In the event of a spill or leak involving ethanolamine, persons not wearing protective equipment and clothing should be restricted from contaminated areas until cleanup has been completed. The following steps should be undertaken following a spill or leak:

1. Do not touch the spilled material; stop the leak if it is possible to do so without risk.
2. Notify safety personnel.
3. Remove all sources of heat and ignition.
4. Ventilate the area of the spill or leak.
5. For small liquid spills, take up with sand or other noncombustible absorbent material and place into closed containers for later disposal.
6. For large liquid spills, build dikes far ahead of the spill to contain the ethanolamine for later reclamation or disposal.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for emergency planning, reportable quantities of hazardous releases, community right-to-know, and hazardous waste management may change over time. Users are therefore advised to determine periodically whether new information is available.

* Emergency planning requirements

Ethanolamine is not subject to EPA emergency planning requirements under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) (Title III) in 42 USC 11022.

* Reportable quantity requirements for hazardous releases

A hazardous substance release is defined by EPA as any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment including the abandonment or discarding of contaminated containers) of hazardous substances. In the event of a release that is above the reportable quantity for that chemical, employers are required to notify the proper Federal, State, and local authorities [40 CFR
Employers are not required by the emergency release notification provisions in 40 CFR Part 355.40 to notify the National Response Center of an accidental release of ethanolamine; there is no reportable quantity for this substance.

* Community right-to-know requirements

Employers are not required by EPA in 40 CFR Part 372.30 to submit a Toxic Chemical Release Inventory form (Form R) to EPA reporting the amount of ethanolamine emitted or released from their facility annually.

* Hazardous waste management requirements

EPA considers a waste to be hazardous if it exhibits any of the following characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity as defined in 40 CFR 261.21-261.24. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) [40 USC 6901 et seq.], EPA has specifically listed many chemical wastes as hazardous. Although ethanolamine is not specifically listed as a hazardous waste under RCRA, EPA requires employers to treat waste as hazardous if it exhibits any of the characteristics discussed above.

Providing detailed information about the removal and disposal of specific chemicals is beyond the scope of this guideline. The U.S. Department of Transportation, EPA, and State and local regulations should be followed to ensure that removal, transport, and disposal of this substance are conducted in accordance with existing regulations. To be certain that chemical waste disposal meets EPA regulatory requirements, employers should address any questions to the RCRA hotline at (703) 412-9810 (in the Washington, D.C. area) or toll-free at (800) 424-9346 (outside Washington, D.C.). In addition, relevant State and local authorities should be contacted for information on any requirements they may have for the waste removal and disposal of this substance.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

* Conditions for respirator use

Good industrial hygiene practice requires that engineering controls be used where feasible to reduce workplace concentrations of hazardous materials to the prescribed exposure limit. However, some situations may require the use of respirators to control exposure. Respirators must be worn if the ambient concentration of ethanolamine exceeds prescribed exposure limits. Respirators may be used (1) before engineering controls have been installed, (2) during work operations such as maintenance or repair activities that involve unknown exposures, (3) during operations that require entry into tanks or closed vessels, and (4) during emergencies. Workers should only use respirators that have been approved by NIOSH and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

* Respiratory protection program

Employers should institute a complete respiratory protection program that, at a minimum, complies with the requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard [29 CFR 1910.134]. Such a program must include respirator selection, an evaluation of the worker's ability to perform the work while wearing a respirator, the regular training of personnel, respirator fit testing, periodic workplace monitoring, and regular respirator maintenance, inspection, and cleaning. The implementation of an adequate respiratory protection program (including selection of the correct respirator) requires that a knowledgeable person be in charge of the program and that the program be evaluated regularly. For additional information on the selection and use of respirators and on the medical screening of respirator users, consult the latest edition of the NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic [NIOSH 1987b] and the NIOSH Guide to Industrial Respiratory Protection [NIOSH 1987a].

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Workers should use appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment that must be carefully selected, used, and maintained to be effective in preventing skin contact with ethanolamine. The selection of the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)e.g., gloves, sleeves, encapsulating suits) should be based on the extent of the worker's potential exposure to ethanolamine. The resistance of various materials to permeation by ethanolamine is shown below:

Material Breakthrough time (hr) Butyl Rubber Neoprene Nitrile Rubber Viton H (PE/EVAL) Polyvinyl Chloride Natural Rubber Caution 1 to 4 Polyvinyl Alcohol Caution 1 to 4

To evaluate the use of these PPE materials with ethanolamine, users should consult the best available performance data and manufacturers' recommendations. Significant differences have been demonstrated inthe chemical resistance of generically similar PPE materials (e.g., butyl) produced by different manufacturers. In addition, the chemical resistance of a mixture may be significantly different from that of any of its neat components.

Any chemical-resistant clothing that is used should be periodically evaluated to determine its effectiveness in preventing dermal contact. Safety showers and eye wash stations should be located close to operations that involve ethanolamine.

Splash-proof chemical safety goggles or face shields (20 to 30 cm long, minimum) should be worn during any operation in which asolvent, caustic, or other toxic substance may be splashed into the eyes.

In addition to the possible need for wearing protective outer apparel e.g., aprons, encapsulating suits), workers should wear work uniforms, coveralls, or similar full-body coverings that are laundered each day. Employers should provide lockers or other closed areas to store work and street clothing separately. Employers should collect work clothing at the end of each work shift and provide forits laundering. Laundry personnel should be informed about the potential hazards of handling contaminated clothing and instructed about measures to minimize their health risk.

Protective clothing should be kept free of oil and grease and should be inspected and maintained regularly to preserve its effectiveness.

Protective clothing may interfere with the body's heat dissipation, especially during hot weather or during work in hot or poorly ventilated work environments.

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