Product Name: Methyl Acetate (Acetic acid methyl ester)
CAS Number: 79-20-9
EC Number: 201-185-2
Recommended Use: Common uses include solvent in paints, coatings, adhesives, and ink production; laboratories often use this chemical because it evaporates quickly and cleans up residue without leaving contaminants.
Manufacturer Details: Details vary by supplier; major chemical producers like Dow and Sigma-Aldrich offer it, each supplying their contact information on the chemical container and shipment paperwork.
Emergency Phone Number: Check product label or contact local poison control center for guidance.
GHS Classification: Flammable liquid, Category 2; Serious eye irritation, Category 2A; Target organ toxicity (nervous system)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Liquid and vapor catch fire easily; exposure can cause drowsiness or dizziness; may cause moderate eye irritation.
Pictograms: Flame, Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flame; do not breathe vapor; use outdoors or in well-ventilated space.
Routes of Exposure: Breathing, skin, or eye contact.
Symptoms: Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, eye irritation, throat and nose discomfort.
Chemical Name: Methyl Acetate
Synonyms: Methyl ethanoate, acetic acid methyl ester
Concentration: 99% or greater
Impurities: Small traces of acetic acid or methanol occur, depending on source and purity grade.
Molecular Formula: C3H6O2
Molecular Weight: 74.08 g/mol
Inhalation: Remove affected person to fresh air; help them stay calm and warm; seek medical attention if symptoms stay or get worse.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; rinse skin with lots of water; if redness or irritation appears, find a healthcare provider.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with water for at least 15 minutes; remove lenses if worn and easy to take out; get medical help for pain or blurry vision.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth if conscious; get medical attention at once.
Most Important Symptoms: Nausea, headaches, eye pain, temporary vision changes, skin irritation, possible unconsciousness in heavy exposure.
Protection for Responders: Wear gloves and goggles, work in fresh air.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry powder, CO2, or water mist; never use direct water stream, since it could spread burning liquid.
Special Hazards: Gives off flammable vapors; dense vapors may travel and ignite far from the original spill; fire produces toxic gases like carbon monoxide.
Fire Fighter Advice: Wear full protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus; keep outsiders away; stay upwind.
Explosion Risks: Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air; barrels or tanks exposed to fire may burst.
Personal Protection: Keep unnecessary people away; ventilate area; wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and respirator when needed.
Spill Cleanup: Contain spill using non-combustible absorbent (e.g., sand, earth); avoid letting spilled material into drains or water sources; transfer residue to proper waste containers.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent from spreading to soil, groundwater, drains by sealing area.
Decontamination: Scrub area with water and detergent once bulk of spill is cleaned.
Reporting: Notify proper authorities if large quantities escape into environment.
Storage: Keep container tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place; avoid open flames or hot surfaces; use explosion-proof equipment.
Handling: Handle with proper personal protective equipment; avoid breathing mist or vapor; keep away from heat, spark, friction.
Storage Separation: Store away from acids, oxidizers, alkalis; steel or glass containers work best.
Hygiene: Wash hands after handling; keep food and drink away from work area.
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 200 ppm (606 mg/m³); ACGIH TLV: 200 ppm TWA
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation recommended; keep airborne levels as low as possible.
Respiratory Protection: Use approved chemical cartridge respirators if local ventilation is not enough.
Eye Protection: Splash goggles or face shield.
Skin Protection: Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene); use aprons or lab coats to protect clothing.
General Safety Measures: Eye wash stations and emergency showers in direct work area.
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Fruity, sweet smell
Odor Threshold: About 150 ppm
pH: Not applicable (neutral ester)
Melting Point/Freezing Point: -98°C
Boiling Point: 57°C
Flash Point: -10°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: About 6 (butyl acetate=1)
Flammability: Highly flammable
Upper/Lower Flammability Limit: 16% / 3.1% (v/v in air)
Vapor Pressure: 173 mmHg at 20°C
Density: 0.93 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: 24 g/L water at 20°C; mixes with ethanol, acetone
Partition Coefficient: log Kow 0.18
Vapor Density: 2.6 (air = 1)
Auto-Ignition Temp: 458°C
Decomposition Temp: 200°C (may slowly decompose under heat)
Chemical Stability: Stays stable under standard temperature and pressure, away from open flame or oxidizers.
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizers, bases, strong acids.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Produces fumes of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide with strong heating or in fire.
Polymerization: Does not self-polymerize.
Conditions to Avoid: Sparks, direct sunlight, heat, open flame, moisture.
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 6,480 mg/kg; low toxicity if swallowed
Inhalation: Short-term exposure above safe limits causes coughing, headache, dizziness, tiredness.
Skin: Can trigger dryness, chapping or redness after direct contact.
Eye: Vapors irritate; liquid splashes inflame the eye.
Sensitization: No reports of allergic skin or respiratory reactions.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure impairs central nervous system; no strong evidence linking to cancer or mutagenicity yet.
Other: High exposures risk fainting, confusion, or cardiac effects.
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish, 96h): 250 mg/L; not very toxic short-term but higher amounts harm aquatic life.
Persistence and Degradability: Breaks down fairly fast in air, soil, water through hydrolysis and microbial action.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low; does not build up in the food chain.
Mobility in Soil: Moves easily in surface and shallow groundwater due to good solubility.
Other Adverse Effects: Large spills threaten surface water by lowering dissolved oxygen as it degrades; not known to contribute to ozone depletion.
Waste Disposal: Follow local, state, and national rules on flammables; large amounts need incineration by licensed facility; small waste can sometimes be evaporated in a chemical fume hood under supervision.
Container Disposal: Empty drums must be drained, triple-rinsed, and marked “hazardous waste.”
Advice: Never pour down drain or natural water; avoid open air burning.
UN Number: 1231
UN Proper Shipping Name: Methyl Acetate
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquids)
Packing Group: II
Marine Pollutant: No
Labels Required: Flammable Liquid
Special Transport Notes: Use certified containers; keep away from oxidizers and combustibles during transit; ensure ventilation or tight sealing.
OSHA Status: Seen as hazardous per OSHA standards
TSCA: Listed on US Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
SARA Title III (Sections 302/311/312): Classified as immediate (acute) health and fire hazard
REACH Status: Registered for manufacture and import in EU
California Proposition 65: Not listed on California’s Prop 65 toxic chemical list
Other State/Local Requirements: Individual rules may apply—check local workplace safety boards.
Labeling Requirements: Container must display hazard pictogram, signal word, warning about flammability, and manufacturer contact.
