Material Safety Data Sheet: 2-Mercaptoethanol

Identification

Product Name: 2-Mercaptoethanol
Other Names: β-Mercaptoethanol, BME, Thioethylene glycol
CAS Number: 60-24-2
EC Number: 200-464-6
Recommended Uses: Laboratory reagent, reducing agent in biochemistry and molecular biology
Manufacturer: Refer to label or purchase order for supplier details
Contact Information: Emergency phone, address on invoice or supplied documentation

Hazard Identification

Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin corrosion/irritation, Eye damage/irritation, Specific target organ toxicity, Aquatic toxicity
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin, or inhaled; causes severe skin burns and eye damage; may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure; very toxic to aquatic life
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Statements: Avoid oral, skin, and respiratory exposure; always wear protective equipment; keep away from drains, surface waters, and soil

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: 2-Mercaptoethanol
Synonyms: β-Mercaptoethanol, Ethylene glycol monothioether
Concentration: ≥99% (or as stated on product label)
Molecular Formula: C2H6OS
Molecular Weight: 78.13 g/mol
Impurities: Less than 1% mixed alcohols, water, or glycols

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Flush eyes with running water for a minimum of 15 minutes while holding eyelids apart. Remove contact lenses if present. Seek immediate medical attention.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with plenty of water and soap for at least 15 minutes. Obtain medical aid, especially if symptoms like redness or blisters appear.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air. Monitor breathing, administer oxygen if breathing becomes difficult. Seek prompt medical advice.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth if person is unconscious. Immediate medical attention is crucial.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide for small fires.
Unsuitable Media: Avoid direct water stream, which can spread the fire.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Sulfur oxides, carbon oxides may be produced in a fire.
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing to shield from toxic and irritant gases.
Additional Information: Containers close to fire should be cooled with water spray; runoff from fire control could cause pollution.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Ventilate area thoroughly. Avoid breathing vapors. Evacuate people from the spill area. Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and protective clothing.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, sewers, water courses, or soil. Inform appropriate authorities in case of environmental contamination.
Spill Cleanup Methods: Contain and absorb spill with inert material (sand, earth). Dispose of cleanup materials as hazardous waste. Decontaminate spill area using detergent or sodium hypochlorite solution.

Handling and Storage

Handling Practices: Work in a properly ventilated area or chemical fume hood. Use appropriate personal protection. Do not breathe vapor or touch product with bare skin. Do not eat, drink, or smoke around this product.
Storage Conditions: Keep container tightly sealed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from incompatible materials like strong oxidizers, acids, or bases. Protect from heat and direct sunlight. Store under inert gas if possible to minimize decomposition risk.
Special Requirements: Label containers accurately. Keep away from food and beverages. Organize periodic checks for signs of leaks or container degradation.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: Consult national occupational exposure limit values; no established limits in many jurisdictions but recommended to minimize exposure as much as possible.
Engineering Controls: Employ local exhaust ventilation or chemical fume hood to keep airborne levels low. Provide emergency eyewash and shower stations.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), safety goggles, face shield, lab coat or apron, closed footwear.
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirator when exposure levels exceed recommended limits or in confined, poorly ventilated areas.
General Hygiene: Remove contaminated clothing immediately. Wash hands thoroughly after handling, even if gloves are worn.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear, colorless to light yellow liquid
Odor: Strong, unpleasant mercaptan (rotten eggs-like) odor
pH: Not applicable (not an aqueous solution)
Melting Point: -100°C (-148°F)
Boiling Point: 157°C (315°F)
Flash Point: 74°C (165°F) (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Not determined
Flammability: Flammable in the presence of open flames
Vapor Pressure: 1 mmHg at 22°C
Solubility: Miscible with water, organic solvents
Relative Density: 1.114 g/cm³ at 20°C
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): -2.3 log Pow
Auto-ignition Temperature: 295°C (563°F)

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under standard storage conditions when kept tightly closed in absence of moisture and air.
Reactivity: Reacts with oxidizing agents and strong acids, producing toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to heat, sparks, open flames, strong acids, bases, and oxidizers.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Sulfur oxides, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide.
Polymerization: No reported hazardous polymerization.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): ~244 mg/kg; LD50 (dermal, rabbit): ~150 mg/kg; inhalation toxicity possible at high concentrations
Symptoms of Exposure: Headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, respiratory irritation, skin and eye burns
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure may affect liver and kidney function, central nervous system, and blood system
Irritation/Corrosion: Causes severe irritation and possible irreversible damage to eyes and skin
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by NTP, IARC, or OSHA
Mutagenicity & Reproductive Effects: Some studies suggest risk of genetic and reproductive toxicity, but data insufficient for conclusive classification

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Very toxic to aquatic organisms; may cause long-term negative effects in aquatic environment
Mobility in Soil: High solubility in water suggests potential for migration into groundwater
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegrades under suitable conditions, but breakdown products may remain hazardous
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low potential for bioaccumulation (log Pow -2.3)
Other Adverse Effects: Large spills or repeated small releases can lead to persistent odor problems and contamination of water courses or soil

Disposal Considerations

Product Disposal: Treat as hazardous chemical waste. Hand over to licensed chemical waste disposal contractor. Incinerate or chemically destroy under controlled conditions per local regulations.
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse containers thoroughly before disposal. Use drum reconditioning facilities capable of managing hazardous residues or incinerate.
Disposal Restrictions: Never pour down the drain, into water sources, or on the ground. Comply with all federal, state, and local regulations on chemical waste.

Transport Information

UN Number: 2966
Proper Shipping Name: 2-Mercaptoethanol
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: II
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Label Requirements: Toxic, Environmentally Hazardous Substance
Special Transport Precautions: Keep tightly sealed and upright. Segregate from incompatible materials. Ensure secondary containment to prevent accidental releases.

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Regulated as hazardous
TSCA (USA): Listed on Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
REACH (EU): Registered
WHMIS (Canada): Classified as D1B (toxic material), E (corrosive material)
SARA Title III: Subject to reporting under Sections 311/312 (immediate and delayed health hazards). Not specifically listed in Section 313.
Other Regulations: Refer to local, state, and national environmental regulations for handling and safe disposal.