ETHYL ALCOHOL (ETHANOL) | OSHA.gov | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

ETHYL ALCOHOL (ETHANOL)†

Chemical Identification
CAS #	64-17-5
Formula	C₂H₆O
Synonyms	ethanol; alcohol; ETOH; methyl carbinol; ethyl hydrate; grain alcohol

Physical Properties
Physical description	Clear, colorless liquid with a weak, ethereal, vinous odor.
Boiling point	173°F	Molecular weight	46.1
Freezing point/melting point	-173°F	Vapor pressure	44 mmHg
Flash point	55°F	Vapor density	1.59
Specific gravity	0.79	Ionization potential	10.47 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL)	3.3%	Upper explosive limit (UEL)	19%
NFPA health rating	2	NFPA fire rating	3
NFPA reactivity rating	0	NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	1060
Sampling group	OVSG-2
Sampler/Sampling media	2 Anasorb 747 sampling tubes (6 mm glass tubes, the front tube contains 400 and the back 200 mg of sorbent) connected in series [SKC 226-82], tube holder [SKC 222-3L-1], Type D cover [SKC 224-29D]
Sampling time^*	240 min
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	12 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.05 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	GC-FID
Method reference	OSHA 5001 (fully validated)
Notes	Separate and seal each tube after sampling.
Special requirements

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device	Detector tube	Detector tube	Detector tube	CMS Chip
Model/Type	Dräger - Alcohol 25/a, 8101631	Gastec 112	Matheson-Kitagawa 8014-104SA	Ethanol, 100-2500 ppm range
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)	10 strokes; approx 10-2000 ppm range; uncertainty approx 41%	0.5-2 strokes; 0.004-7.5% range; uncertainty 25% for 0.05-0.5%, 16% for 0.5-2.5%	1 stroke; approx 0.02-5% range

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	1000 ppm (1900 mg/m³)	REL-TWA	1000 ppm (1900 mg/m³)	TLV-TWA		PEL-TWA	1000 ppm (1900 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL		TLV-STEL	1000 ppm [2008]	PEL-STEL
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.		Notes:		Notes:		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	3300 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: TLV-A3		Notes: 10% of LEL
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3: 1800 ppm/3300 ppm/--

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Ethanol

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Ethyl alcohol

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Ethanol. 2017.
Irvine, L.F.H.: Relevance to the developmental toxicity of ethanol in the occupational setting - a review. J. Appl. Toxicol. 23(5): 289-299, 2003.
NIOSH: Recommendations for Occupational Safety and Health - Compendium of Policy Documents and Statements. Cincinnati, OH: NIOSH Publication No. 92-100. 1992.

Last Updated Date : 06/14/2023

Group Sampling Information
Sampling Media	Sampling Time (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Sampling Volume (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Flow Rate (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)
2) Anasorb 747 sampling tubes (6 mm glass tubes, the front tube contains 400 and the back 200 mg of sorbent) connected in series [SKC 226-82]	240 min	12 L	0.05 L/min

Analytes Sampling Information
Analytes	IMIS Code	Wipe Sampling
2-Butoxyethanol	0435	No
n-Butyl alcohol	0460	No
sec-Butyl alcohol	0461	No
Ethyl alcohol	1060	No
Isobutyl alcohol	1536	No
Isopropyl alcohol	1560	No
Methyl alcohol*	1660	No
n-Propyl alcohol	2170	No

Notes

Immediately after sampling, separate the two sampling tubes to prevent post-sampling migration.

Request any (up to two (2)) of these analytes together.

Results for unrequested analytes in this group will be reported if significant amounts are found.

There is no need to contact SLTC before sampling.

*If this is your primary analyte of interest, sample for 60 min at 0.05 L/min (3L). If the relative humidity is >50% at 25°C, you can sample for 100 min at 0.05 L/min (5L).

ETHYL ALCOHOL (ETHANOL)†

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References