Product Name: Vinyl Acetate Monomer
Synonyms: Acetic acid ethenyl ester, VAM
Chemical Formula: C4H6O2
CAS Number: 108-05-4
Manufacturer: Commonly distributed by major chemical suppliers
Recommended Use: Intermediate for polymer production, adhesives, paints, coatings
Contact Information: Available from supplier's technical service lines
Emergency Telephone: Listed on supplier-issued documents
Classification: Flammable liquid, acute toxicity (inhalation and oral), skin and eye irritation, suspected carcinogen
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable, causes skin and eye irritation, may be harmful if swallowed or inhaled, may cause cancer through repeated exposure
Pictograms: Flame, exclamation mark, health hazard
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames. Wear protective gloves. Work in well-ventilated settings.
Potential Health Effects: Eyes—redness and pain, Skin—dryness, cracking, Inhalation—headache, drowsiness, nausea; long-term exposure—possible cancer
Ingredient: Vinyl Acetate
Concentration: >99% by weight
Chemical Formula: C4H6O2
Other Components: May contain trace stabilizers such as hydroquinone
Impurities: Typically less than 0.1% (inhibitors, water)
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air. Loosen tight clothing. Seek medical attention for persistent symptoms.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with running water. Wash exposed area with soap.
Eye Contact: Rinse with water for several minutes, lifting eyelids. Remove contacts after washing begins. Seek medical help for ongoing irritation.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water if conscious. Avoid inducing vomiting. Contact poison control or physician.
Important Symptoms: Irritation, nausea, headache, dizziness
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide. Water spray may cool containers.
Special Hazards: Vapors are heavier than air and can travel, forming explosive mixtures with air—flashback possible. Containers may rupture violently upon exposure to heat.
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Firefighting Procedures: Approach from upwind, avoid inhaling fumes, avoid use of high-volume water jets.
Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, acetic acid, irritating organic fumes.
Personal Protection: Wear gloves, safety goggles, chemical-resistant clothing, and respiratory protection.
Evacuation: Keep unnecessary people clear. Evacuate area in event of large spills.
Cleanup Methods: Absorb with inert material (sand, earth). Sweep or scoop up residue for disposal in properly labeled containers.
Spill Prevention: Stop leak if safe. Remove sources of ignition—shut off valves when possible.
Ventilation: Use fans to disperse vapor. Avoid breathing vapors.
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated places. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not inhale vapors. Ground and bond containers for transfer.
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers. Keep away from heat, direct sunlight, ignition sources. Use explosion-proof equipment. Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated spaces.
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers, acids, bases, peroxides. Avoid copper, iron, and other metals that may catalyze decomposition.
Storage Temperature: Recommended below 30°C.
Storage Materials: Use lined, inert, or stainless steel containers.
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 10 ppm (35 mg/m3) as 8-hour TWA; ACGIH TLV: 10 ppm (TWA)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust systems, fume hoods for confined spaces.
Personal Protection: Chemical goggles, face shields, nitrile or neoprene gloves, synthetic protective clothing, closed footwear.
Respiratory Protection: Use organic vapor respirator if concentration exceeds limits.
Hygiene Practices: Remove contaminated clothing, wash hands after handling. No eating, drinking, or smoking.
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Sweet, sharp, somewhat irritating
Odor Threshold: 0.07 ppm
pH: Not applicable (neutral ester)
Melting Point / Freezing Point: -93°C
Boiling Point: 72°C
Flash Point: -8°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Faster than water
Flammability: Flammable liquid
Explosion Limits: 2.6% (lower), 13.4% (upper) by volume in air
Vapor Pressure: 93 mm Hg at 20°C
Relative Density: 0.933 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: 2.5 g/100 mL in water
Partition Coefficient (Log Kow): 0.73
Auto-ignition Temperature: 426°C
Decomposition Temperature: Not precisely determined
Viscosity: Low, water-like
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions and in recommended storage
Polymerization: Risk of hazardous polymerization if not stabilized—keep away from heat and peroxides
Reactivity: Combines with strong acids, bases, oxidizing agents, metal salts
Hazardous Decomposition: Generates carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acetic acid, and possibly toxic acrylic or polymeric fumes
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, open flames, direct sunlight, contamination, container damage
Incompatible Materials: Metal salts, strong oxidizers, alkali metals
Acute Toxicity: LD50 Oral (rat) 2920 mg/kg; LC50 Inhalation (rat, 4 h) 11.4 mg/L
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Moderate irritant
Eye Damage/Irritation: Severe irritation possible
Respiratory Effects: May cause coughing, difficulty breathing if inhaled
Sensitization: Not a known sensitizer
Chronic Effects: Some evidence of carcinogenicity (IARC 2B—Possibly carcinogenic to humans)
Symptoms: Itching, burning, redness, headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life at high concentrations. LC50 Fish (96 h) 23 mg/L; EC50 Daphnia (48 h) 73 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable in aerobic environments, complete breakdown in a few weeks
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low—log Kow 0.73 suggests little tendency to bioaccumulate
Mobility in Soil: High water solubility, likely to move rapidly through soil and water
Other Hazards: Rapid evaporation into air may cause short-term odor problems near accidental releases
Safe Disposal Methods: Incinerate in licensed chemical incinerator. Do not release to surface water or sewers.
Containers: Rinse and dispose only through hazardous waste program. Do not reuse emptied drums.
Local Regulations: Follow community hazardous waste handling laws. Consult regional environmental authority.
UN Number: UN 1301
UN Proper Shipping Name: Vinyl Acetate, Stabilized
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquid)
Packing Group: II
Hazard Labels: Flammable Liquid label
Marine Pollutant: Not designated as a marine pollutant (IMDG Code)
Special Precautions: Keep upright, away from sources of heat and ignition, secure containers during transport
Regulatory Guidance: Comply with IATA, IMDG, DOT, ADR, as relevant
OSHA: Regulated as hazardous under 29 CFR 1910.1200
TSCA Status: Listed
SARA Title III Section 313: Reportable quantity—Subject to annual reporting
RCRA Status: Considered hazardous waste if discarded
California Proposition 65: Listed as known to the State of California to cause cancer
REACH Status: Registered substance in Europe
Other Regional Compliances: May be listed as a dangerous substance under local or national workplace laws
