Chemical Name: n-Butyl Acetate
Synonyms: Butyl ethanoate, Acetic acid butyl ester, Acetic ether
CAS Number: 123-86-4
Recommended Use: Popular as a solvent in paints, coatings, adhesives, nail polish removers
Manufacturer/Supplier: Information stamped on original container
Contact Information: Check manufacturer’s emergency number for fast access in crisis
Emergency Telephone: 24-hour CHEMTREC: +1 800-424-9300
GHS Classification: Flammable liquids Category 3, Eye irritation Category 2A, Specific Target Organ Toxicity (single exposure) Category 3
Pictograms: Flame, Exclamation mark
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Liquid and vapor catch fire easily, vapor causes drowsiness or dizziness, causes serious eye irritation
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from hot surfaces, no smoking, use only outdoors or with good ventilation, wear protective clothing
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Potential Health Effects: Headaches, nausea, eye redness, irritation of respiratory tract, CNS depression at high concentration
Chemical: n-Butyl Acetate
CAS Number: 123-86-4
Concentration: over 99%
Impurities or Additives: Trace water, minor esters possible in technical grades
Other Ingredients: No other components considered hazardous and present at 1% or more
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air, keep still, watch breathing, seek medical help if symptoms worsen
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, flush skin with lots of water for at least 15 minutes
Eye Contact: Hold eyelids apart, rinse eyes gently with water for at least 15 minutes, consult physician for persistent irritation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek medical attention, never give anything by mouth if person is drowsy
Note to Physicians: No antidote established, treat symptoms using supportive care
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Direct water stream could spread burning liquid
Specific Hazards: Vapor can travel and ignite from distant source, closed containers risk rupture from pressure if heated
Protection for Firefighters: Wear full turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritating fumes
Special Precautions: Move containers away from fire if you can do so safely, cool exposed containers with water spray
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate, shut off ignition sources, avoid breathing vapors, put on respirator if necessary
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, soil, waterways, contain with sand or earth if risk of runoff
Methods for Clean-Up: Absorb with dry inert material such as sand, sweep up and put in suitable closed containers
Decontamination: Wash spill area with strong detergent and water after clean-up
Disposal: Store collected material in labeled, sealed containers for proper disposal
Safe Handling: Ground and bond containers, avoid breathing vapor, pump vacuum or mechanical ventilation in work areas
Precautions: Only use spark-proof tools and explosion-proof equipment, keep away from heat, hot surfaces, flames, static discharge
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed original container, away from sunlight or oxidizers, keep temperature controlled and dry
Container Materials: Steel and HDPE safe for short-term storage, avoid corrodible metals like aluminum for long-term
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, bases, oxidizers
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL 150 ppm, ACGIH TLV 50 ppm TWA
Engineering Controls: Mechanical ventilation or fume hoods for indoor work, explosion-proof ventilation strongly recommended
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical safety goggles, face shield, solvent-resistant gloves, long sleeves
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved respirator when airborne concentrations might exceed permissible exposure levels
Hygiene: Wash hands and forearms after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke when working
Physical State: Colorless liquid
Odor: Fruity, strong, characteristic
Odor Threshold: 0.2 ppm
pH: Not available (not water-soluble in pure form)
Melting Point: -78 °C
Boiling Point: 126 °C
Flash Point: 27 °C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: About 2.8 (butyl acetate = 1)
Lower Flammability Limit: 1.7%
Upper Flammability Limit: 7.6%
Vapor Pressure: 11 mm Hg (20 °C)
Vapor Density: 4.0 (air = 1)
Specific Gravity: 0.88 (water = 1)
Solubility in Water: 0.68 g/100 ml at 20 °C
Partition Coefficient: log Kow 1.82
Auto-ignition Temperature: 370 °C
Decomposition Temperature: Not established
Chemical Stability: Stable at normal temperature and pressure for use, transport, storage
Reactivity: Reacts strongly with oxidizers (perchlorates, peroxides), reacts with strong acids or bases
Decomposition Products: Forms toxic gases such as CO and CO₂ if burned
Polymerization: Not known to polymerize under normal conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flames, sparks, static discharge, prolonged contact with incompatible chemicals
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) 10,768 mg/kg, inhalation LC50 (rat, 4 h) 21 mg/L
Short-term Exposure Symptoms: Drowsiness, dizziness, throat and eye irritation, nausea
Chronic Effects: Prolonged vapor exposure can affect nervous system
Skin Sensitization: Not considered a skin sensitizer
Mutagenic/Carcinogenic: Not listed as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Other Health Risks: Central nervous system effects with high doses, but little evidence of long-term organ damage from normal use
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish, 96 hrs) 18 mg/L (Lepomis macrochirus), EC50 (daphnia, 48 hrs) 44 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Rapidly biodegradable by aerobic bacteria
Bioaccumulation: Low potential due to moderate partition coefficient
Environmental Fate: Volatilizes from water and soil surfaces, breaks down mainly by photolysis and biodegradation
Mobility: Moves quickly through soil, can reach groundwater if spilled in large amount
Waste Handling: Treat as hazardous liquid waste under most local rules
Disposal Methods: Incinerate in approved facility, special chemical landfill if not burned
Container Handling: Empty containers still contain residue vapor, fully clean before disposal or recycling
Precautions: Never pour down drain or storm sewer, consult local environmental control agency for guidance
UN Number: UN1123
UN Proper Shipping Name: Butyl Acetates
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: III
Label Required: Flammable Liquid
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Packages need tight seal to avoid leaks, segregate from oxidizer shipments
TSCA: Listed on US Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
SARA Title III: Listed under sections 311/312, fire hazard, immediate health hazard
California Proposition 65: Not listed
WHMIS (Canada): Classified as B2—flammable liquid, D2B—eye irritant
OSHA: Regulated under 29 CFR 1910.1200 as hazardous chemical
EINECS: 204-658-1
Other Regulations: Follows REACH rules in Europe for registration and safe handling
