2-ethylhexanoic acid

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

General advice:

First Aid responders should pay attention to self-protection and use the recommended protective clothing (chemical resistant gloves, splash protection). If potential for exposure exists use specific personal protective equipment.

Inhalation:

Move person to fresh air; if effects occur, consult a physician.

Skin contact:

Wash off with plenty of water. Suitable emergency safety shower facility should be available in work area.

Eye contact:

Flush eyes thoroughly with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses after the initial 1-2 minutes and continue flushing for several additional minutes. If effects occur, consult a physician, preferably an ophthalmologist. Suitable emergency eye wash facility should be available in work area.

Ingestion:

Do not induce vomiting. Call a physician and/or transport to emergency facility immediately.

Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed:

Aside from the information above about first aid measures and Indication of immediate medical attention and special treatment needed as per below, any additional important symptoms and effects are described in section 11 of the SDS of this substance. 

Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed: 

Notes to physician: Because rapid absorption may occur through the lungs if aspirated and cause systemic effects, the decision of whether to induce vomiting or not should be made by a physician. If lavage is performed, suggest endotracheal and/or esophageal control. Danger from lung aspiration must be weighed against toxicity when considering emptying the stomach. No specific antidote. Treatment of exposure should be directed at the control of symptoms and the clinical condition of the patient. Skin contact may aggravate preexisting dermatitis.

Fire-fighting measures

Suitable extinguishing media:

Water fog or fine spray.. Dry chemical fire extinguishers.. Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.. Foam.. Alcohol resistant foams (ATC type) are preferred. General purpose synthetic foams (including AFFF) or protein foams may function, but will be less effective..

Unsuitable extinguishing media:

Do not use direct water stream.. May spread fire..

Hazardous combustion products:

During a fire, smoke may contain the original material in addition to combustion products of varying composition which may be toxic and/or irritating.. Combustion products may include and are not limited to:. Carbon monoxide.. Carbon dioxide..

Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards:

Violent steam generation or eruption may occur upon application of direct water stream to hot liquids..

Fire Fighting Procedures:

Keep people away. Isolate fire and deny unnecessary entry.. Do not use direct water stream. May spread fire.. Burning liquids may be moved by flushing with water to protect personnel and minimize property damage.. Avoid accumulation of water. Product may be carried across water surface spreading fire or contacting an ignition source..

Special protective equipment for firefighters:

Wear positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and protective fire fighting clothing (includes fire fighting helmet, coat, trousers, boots, and gloves).. Avoid contact with this material during fire fighting operations. If contact is likely, change to full chemical resistant fire fighting clothing with self-contained breathing apparatus. If this is not available, wear full chemical resistant clothing with self-contained breathing apparatus and fight fire from a remote location.. For protective equipment in post-fire or non-fire clean-up situations, refer to the relevant sections..

Accidental release measures

Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures:

Isolate area. Keep unnecessary and unprotected personnel from entering the area. Keep personnel out of low areas. Refer to safe handling measures below, for additional precautionary measures. Use appropriate safety equipment. 

Environmental precautions:

Prevent from entering into soil, ditches, sewers, waterways and/or groundwater. 

Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:

Small spills: Contain spilled material if possible. Collect in suitable and properly labeled containers.

Large spills: Dike area to contain spill. Pump into suitable and properly labeled containers.

Handling and storage

Precautions for safe handling:

Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Avoid breathing mist. Wash thoroughly after handling. Keep container closed. Use with adequate ventilation. Spills of these organic materials on hot fibrous insulations may lead to lowering of the autoignition temperatures possibly resulting in spontaneous combustion.

Conditions for safe storage:

Store in accordance with good manufacturing practices.

Transport information

Shipping

SpecialProvisions

Shipping

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

Shipping

Remarks

Shipping

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Control parameters:

Exposure limits are listed below.
Component: 2-Ethyl-1-hexanoic acid
Regulation: ACGIH
Type of listing: TWA Inhalable fraction and vapor
Value/Notation: 5 mg/m3

Engineering controls:

Use engineering controls to maintain airborne level below exposure limit requirements or guidelines. If there are no applicable exposure limit requirements or guidelines, use only with adequate ventilation. Local exhaust ventilation may be necessary for some operations.

Individual protection measures:

Eye/face protection: Use safety glasses (with side shields).
Hand protection: Use gloves chemically resistant to this material. Examples of preferred glove barrier materials include: Viton. Polyethylene. Neoprene. Chlorinated polyethylene. Polyvinyl chloride ("PVC" or "vinyl"). Ethyl vinyl alcohol laminate ("EVAL"). Examples of acceptable glove barrier materials include: Butyl rubber. Natural rubber ("latex"). Nitrile/butadiene rubber ("nitrile" or "NBR"). Polyvinyl alcohol ("PVA"). NOTICE: The selection of a specific glove for a particular application and duration of use in a workplace should also take into account all relevant workplace factors such as, but not limited to: Other chemicals which may be handled, physical requirements (cut/puncture protection, dexterity, thermal protection), potential body reactions to glove materials, as well as the instructions/specifications provided by the glove supplier.
Other protection: Use protective clothing chemically resistant to this material. Selection of specific items such as face shield, boots, apron, or full body suit will depend on the task.
Respiratory protection: Respiratory protection should be worn when there is a potential to exceed the exposure limit requirements or guidelines. If there are no applicable exposure limit requirements or guidelines, use an approved respirator. Selection of air-purifying or positive-pressure supplied-air will depend on the specific operation and the potential airborne concentration of the material. For emergency conditions, use an approved positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus.
The following should be effective types of air-purifying respirators: Organic vapor cartridge with a particulate pre-filter.

Stability and reactivity

Reactivity:

No data available

Chemical stability:

Stable under recommended storage conditions. 

Possibility of hazardous reactions:

Polymerization will not occur.

Conditions to avoid:

Exposure to elevated temperatures can cause product to decompose.

Incompatible materials:

Avoid contact with: Amines. Ammonia. Strong bases. Avoid contact with metals such as: Copper. Copper alloys. Carbon steel.

Hazardous decomposition products:

Decomposition products depend upon temperature, air supply and the presence of other materials..

Disposal considerations

DO NOT DUMP INTO ANY SEWERS, ON THE GROUND, OR INTO ANY BODY OF WATER. Disposal required in compliance with all waste management related state and local regulations. The choice of the appropriate method of disposal depends on the product composition by the time of disposal as well as the local statutes and possibilities for disposal.

Uncleaned empty packaging: 

Contaminated packaging should be emptied as far as possible and after appropriate cleansing may be taken for reuse.