Diisopropyl Ether

Excerpt from ERG Guide 127 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible)]:

Use water spray, AFFF, powder, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Rest. Refer for medical attention .

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Isopropyl ether:

General First Aid:

(General first aid procedures)

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

200.0 [ppm]

1. Remove all ignition sources. 2. Ventilate area of spill or leak. 3. For small quantities, absorb on paper towels. Evaporate in a safe place (such as fume hood). Allow sufficient time for evaporating vapors to completely clear the hood ductwork. Burn the paper in a suitable location away from combustible materials. Large quantities can be reclaimed or collected and atomized in a suitable combustion chamber.

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

Isopropylether may be disposed of by atomizing in a suitable combustion chamber.

Isopropyl ether is a waste chemical stream constituent which may be subjected to ultimate disposal by controlled incineration.

The following wastewater treatment technologies have been investigated for isopropyl ether: Concentration process: Biological treatment.

For more Disposal Methods (Complete) data for ISOPROPYL ETHER (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 160(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 1.52(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that isopropyl ether is expected to have high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of isopropyl ether from moist soil surfaces is expected to be important(3,SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.3X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), calculated from its water solubility(4) and vapor pressure(5). The potential for volatilization of isopropyl ether from dry soil surfaces may exist(SRC) based on a vapor pressure of 149 mm Hg(5). Isopropyl ether is not expected to hydrolyze in soil due to lack of hydrolyzable functional groups(3). Aqueous screening test data from studies using activated sludge or sewage inocula(6,7) suggest that isopropyl ether may be resistant to biodegradation in environmental media(SRC). Many ethers are known to be resistant to biodegradation(8).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 160(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 1.52(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that isopropyl ether is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water(SRC). Isopropyl ether is expected to volatilize rapidly from water surfaces(3,SRC) based on an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.3X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), calculated from its water solubility(4) and vapor pressure(5). Estimated volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 3 hours and 4 days, respectively(3,SRC). Isopropyl ether is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of hydrolyzable functional groups(3). Isopropyl ether will not significantly photooxidize via reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals in the water(6). According to a classification scheme(7), an estimated BCF of 8(3,SRC), from isopropyl ether's log Kow(2), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Isopropyl ether may be resistant to biodegradation in environmental media based upon screening test data from studies using activated sludge or sewage inocula(8,9,SRC). Many ethers are known to be resistant to biodegradation(10).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), isopropyl ether, which has a vapor pressure of 149 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase isopropyl ether is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 21 hours(3,SRC). The half-life for the reaction of isopropyl ether with nitrate radicals is estimated as 9 seconds(4,SRC). Direct photolysis will not be an important removal process since aliphatic ethers do not absorb light at wavelengths >290 nm(5).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour.

inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Cough. Drowsiness. Sore throat.

Dry skin. Redness.

Redness.

Further see Inhalation.

irritation eyes, skin, nose; resp discomfort; dermatitis; In Animals: drowsiness, dizziness, unconsciousness, narcosis

Isopropyl ether has been detected in 10 out of 63 samples of industrial effluents collected from a wide variety of industries across the USA (dates not reported)(1). Six of the positive samples contained <10 ug/L isopropyl ether, 3 samples contained 10-100 ug/L and 1 sample contained >100 ug/L(1). Samples of landfill gas from an unspecified landfill which had for more than 15 months accepted municipal and industrial solid wastes and unspecified liquid wastes contained 220 mg/cu m isopropyl ether(2).

Employees should be screened for history of certain medical conditions /chronic respiratory disease or skin disease/ which might place the employee at increased risk from isopropylether exposure. In persons with impaired pulmonary function, especially those with obstructive airway diseases, the breathing of isopropylether might cause exacerbation of symptoms due to its irritant properties. Isopropylether is a defatting agent and can cause dermatitis on prolonged exposure. Persons with existing skin disorders may be more susceptible to the effects of this agent. Any employee developing the above-listed conditions should be referred for further medical examination. /Chronic respiratory disease or skin disease/

The Koc of isopropyl ether is estimated as approximately 160(SRC), using a log Kow of 1.52(1) and a regression-derived equation(2,SRC). According to a classification scheme(3), this estimated Koc value suggests that isopropyl ether is expected to have high mobility in soil(SRC).

Toxic symptoms similar to ethyl ether.

MILDLY IRRITATING TO SKIN, MUCOUS MEMBRANES. INHALATION OF HIGH CONCENTRATIONS CAUSES /CNS DEPRESSION/, UNCONSCIOUSNESS. DEATH MAY OCCUR DUE TO RESP PARALYSIS. /ETHYL ETHER/

Isopropyl ether has an anesthetic action very much like ethyl ether, but is somewhat more toxic.

Human exposure to 500 ppm over a 15 min period caused no irritation, but irritation of the eyes and nose was noted at 800 ppm for 5 min with some respiratory discomfort. Industrial exposure has caused but few cases of death or serious injury. Repeated skin contact would be expected to cause dermatitis.

... a group of subjects exposed for 15 minutes at 500 ppm did not consider the exposure to be irritating. At a concentration of 300 ppm, however, about one-third of the subjects objected to the unpleasant odor, while at 800 ppm for five minutes most subjects reported irritation of the eyes and nose.