Ethyl ether

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Appearance APHA 10 max clear liquid. Flash Point -45 deg C Danger! Extremely flammable liquid and vapor. Vapor may cause flash fire. Breathing vapors may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Causes eye irritation. Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking. Aspiration hazard if swallowed. Can enter lungs and cause damage. May be harmful if swallowed. May form explosive peroxides. This material has been reported to be susceptible to autoxidation and therefore should be classified as peroxidizable. Air sensitive. Light sensitive. Hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air). May be habit forming. Target Organs: Central nervous system, respiratory system, eyes, skin.

Potential health effects

Eye: Causes moderate eye irritation. Causes redness and pain. Skin: Causes skin irritation. May be absorbed through the skin. Repeated or prolonged exposure may cause drying and cracking of the skin. Ingestion

Aspiration hazard

Symptoms may include headache, excitement, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stupor, and coma. May cause central nervous system depression, characterized by excitement, followed by headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. Advanced stages may cause collapse, unconsciousness, coma and possible death due to respiratory failure. Aspiration of material into the lungs may cause chemical pneumonitis, which may be fatal. Inhalation: Exposure to high concentrations may produce narcosis, nausea and loss of consciousness. Inhalation of vapors may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Chronic: Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause defatting and dermatitis. Prolonged or repeated exposure can cause psychic abnormalities such as anxiety, depression and excitability. Laboratory experiments have resulted in mutagenic effects. Prolonged exposure to high vapor concentrations may cause eye injury. Repeated exposures may be habit forming. Prolonged or repeated inhalation or ingestion may result in liver and kidney changes.