Common Name: ETHYL MERCAPTAN

CAS Number: 75-08-1 RTK Substance number: 0894

DOT Number: UN 2363 Date: March 1999
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Ethyl Mercaptan can affect you when breathed in and requires private employers to provide similar training and
may be absorbed through the skin. information to their employees.
* Contact can cause skin and eye irritation.
* Breathing Ethyl Mercaptan can irritate the nose and * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
throat. evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area
* Breathing Ethyl Mercaptan can irritate the lungs causing air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results
coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures from your employer. You have a legal right to this
can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary information under OSHA 1910.1020.
edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health
breath. problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
* Breathing Ethyl Mercaptan can cause headache, nausea, diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness, convulsions, and * ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.00035 ppm.
tiredness. Higher levels can cause dizziness, * The range of accepted odor threshold values is quite
lightheadedness, coma and death. broad. Caution should be used in relying on odor alone as
* Ethyl Mercaptan may damage the liver and kidneys. a warning of potentially hazardous exposures.
* Repeated or long term exposure to Ethyl Mercaptan may
damage the red blood cells causing anemia. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
* Ethyl Mercaptan is a HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUID OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit
or GAS and a DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. (PEL) is 10 ppm, not to be exceeded at any time.
NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is
IDENTIFICATION 0.5 ppm, which should not be exceeded at any
Ethyl Mercaptan is a colorless or yellowish liquid or a gas time.
with a pungent, garlic or skunk-like odor. It is used as an ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is
additive to odorless gases like butane, propane, and petroleum 10 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
to give them a warning odor. It is also used in the
manufacture of fungicides, pharmaceuticals, insecticides, * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When
resins, and other chemicals. skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even
though air levels are less than the limits listed above.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Ethyl Mercaptan is on the Hazardous Substance List WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust
DOT, NIOSH and NFPA. ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust
* This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be
List because it is FLAMMABLE. worn.
* Definitions are provided on page 5. * Wear protective work clothing.
* Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Ethyl
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING Mercaptan and at the end of the workshift.
EXPOSED * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers addition, as part of an ongoing education and training
to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public effort, communicate all information on the health and
employers to provide their employees with information safety hazards of Ethyl Mercaptan to potentially exposed
and training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The workers.
federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard,
1910.1200,
 ETHYL MERCAPTAN page 2 of 6

This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all * Liver and kidney function tests.
potential and most severe health hazards that may result from If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the
exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the following is recommended:
substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to
any of the potential effects described below. * Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure.
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Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for
damage already done are not a substitute for controlling
Acute Health Effects exposure.
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Ethyl Mercaptan: Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal
right to this information under OSHA 1910.1020.
* Contact can cause skin and eye irritation.
* Breathing Ethyl Mercaptan can irritate the nose and Mixed Exposures
throat. * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung
* Breathing Ethyl Mercaptan can irritate the lungs causing cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may
coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical
can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time,
edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health
breath. problems.
* Breathing Ethyl Mercaptan can cause headache, nausea, * Because more than light alcohol consumption can cause
vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness, convulsions, and liver damage, drinking alcohol may increase the liver
tiredness. Higher levels may cause dizziness, damage caused by Ethyl Mercaptan.
lightheadedness, coma and death.
WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
some time after exposure to Ethyl Mercaptan and can last for substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most
months or years: effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to
enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at
Cancer Hazard the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also
* According to the information presently available to the reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is
Ethyl Mercaptan has not been tested for its ability to sometimes necessary.
cause cancer in animals.
In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider:
Reproductive Hazard (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the
* According to the information presently available to the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls
Ethyl Mercaptan has not been tested for its ability to should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when
affect reproduction. significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible.

In addition, the following controls are recommended:

Other Long-Term Effects
* Ethyl Mercaptan can irritate the lungs. Repeated
* Where possible, automatically transfer gaseous Ethyl
exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with cough,
Mercaptan or pump liquid Ethyl Mercaptan from
phlegm, and/or shortness of breath.
cylinders or other storage containers to process containers.
* Ethyl Mercaptan may damage the liver and kidneys.
* Before entering a confined space where Ethyl Mercaptan
* Repeated or long term exposure to Ethyl Mercaptan may
may be present, check to make sure that an explosive
damage the red blood cells causing anemia. concentration does not exist.

MEDICAL Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous

exposures. The following work practices are recommended:
Medical Testing
For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Ethyl
TLV or greater), the following are recommended before Mercaptan should change into clean clothing promptly.
beginning work and at regular times after that: * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family
members could be exposed.
* Complete blood cell count.
 ETHYL MERCAPTAN page 3 of 6

* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by Respiratory Protection

individuals who have been informed of the hazards of IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS.
exposure to Ethyl Mercaptan. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a
* Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate written program that takes into account workplace conditions,
work area for emergency use. requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134.
shower facilities should be provided.
* On skin contact with Ethyl Mercaptan, immediately wash * Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.5 ppm, use
or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with
workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have an organic vapor cartridge. Increased protection is
contacted Ethyl Mercaptan, whether or not known skin obtained from full facepiece powered-air purifying
contact has occurred. respirators.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Ethyl Mercaptan is * If while wearing a filter or cartridge respirator you can
handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be smell, taste, or otherwise detect Ethyl Mercaptan, or if
swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, while wearing particulate filters abnormal resistance to
smoking, or using the toilet. breathing is experienced, or eye irritation occurs while
wearing a full facepiece respirator, leave the area
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT immediately. Check to make sure the respirator-to-face
seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter or cartridge. If
WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your
some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs workplace. You may need a combination of filters,
done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace prefilters or cartridges to protect against different forms of
controls are being installed), personal protective equipment a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of
may be appropriate. chemicals.
* Where the potential for high exposure exists, use a
OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full
appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-
to train employees on how and when to use protective pressure mode. For increased protection use in
equipment. combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing
apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may pressure mode.
not apply to every situation. * Exposure to 500 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and
health. If the possibility of exposure above 500 ppm
Clothing exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained
* Avoid skin contact with Ethyl Mercaptan. Wear breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in a
protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.
suppliers/ manufacturers can provide recommendations on
the most protective glove/clothing material for your HANDLING AND STORAGE
operation.
* All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) * Prior to working with Ethyl Mercaptan you should be
should be clean, available each day, and put on before trained on its proper handling and storage.
work. * Ethyl Mercaptan must be stored to avoid contact with
OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES,
PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES,
Eye Protection
NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE);
* Wear non-vented, impact resistant goggles when working
STRONG BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and
with fumes, gases, or vapors.
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE); STRONG ACIDS (such as
* Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles
HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC); and
when working with liquids.
CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE since violent reactions
* Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with
occur.
corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
area away from SUNLIGHT, HEAT and RUBBER.
 ETHYL MERCAPTAN page 4 of 6

* Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

prohibited where Ethyl Mercaptan is handled, used, or The following information is available from:
stored.
* Metal containers involving the transfer of Ethyl New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Mercaptan should be grounded and bonded. Occupational Health Service
* Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially PO Box 360
when opening and closing containers of Ethyl Trenton, NJ 08625-0360
Mercaptan. (609) 984-1863
(609) 292-5677 (fax)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Web address: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/odisweb/
Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic
health effects? Industrial Hygiene Information
A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result Industrial hygienists are available to answer your questions
from repeated exposures to a chemical. regarding the control of chemical exposures using exhaust
ventilation, special work practices, good housekeeping, good
Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short- hygiene practices, and personal protective equipment
term effects? including respirators. In addition, they can help to interpret
A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated the results of industrial hygiene survey data.
exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to
make you immediately sick. Medical Evaluation
If you think you are becoming sick because of exposure to
Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been chemicals at your workplace, you may call personnel at the
exposed to chemicals? Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational
A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is Health Service, who can help you find the information you
increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is need.
determined by the length of time and the amount of
material to which someone is exposed. Public Presentations
Presentations and educational programs on occupational
Q: When are higher exposures more likely? health or the Right to Know Act can be organized for labor
A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include unions, trade associations and other groups.
physical and mechanical processes (heating, pouring,
spraying, spills and evaporation from large surface areas Right to Know Information Resources
such as open containers), and "confined space" The Right to Know Infoline (609) 984-2202 can answer
exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers, small questions about the identity and potential health effects of
rooms, etc.). chemicals, list of educational materials in occupational health,
references used to prepare the Fact Sheets, preparation of the
Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for Right to Know survey, education and training programs,
community residents? labeling requirements, and general information regarding the
A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in Right to Know Act. Violations of the law should be reported
cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those to (609) 984-2202.
found in the workplace. However, people in the ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
community may be exposed to contaminated water as
well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This
may be a problem for children or people who are already
ill.
 ETHYL MERCAPTAN page 5 of 6

DEFINITIONS
ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation
Industrial Hygienists. It recommends upper limits (called is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations
TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.

A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. NAERG is the North American Emergency Response
Guidebook. It was jointly developed by Transport Canada,
The CAS number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts the United States Department of Transportation and the
Service to identify a specific chemical. Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico.
It is a guide for first responders to quickly identify the specific
A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will or generic hazards of material involved in a transportation
burn. incident, and to protect themselves and the general public
during the initial response phase of the incident.
A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes
irreversible damage to human tissue or containers. NCI is the National Cancer Institute, a federal agency that
determines the cancer-causing potential of chemicals.
DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection. NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It
classifies substances according to their fire and explosion
DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency hazard.
that regulates the transportation of chemicals.
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators,
agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards. conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes
standards to OSHA.
A fetus is an unborn human or animal.
NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests
A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that chemicals and reviews evidence for cancer.
will ignite easily and burn rapidly.
OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid which adopts and enforces health and safety standards.
gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air.
PEOSHA is the Public Employees Occupational Safety and
HHAG is the Human Health Assessment Group of the federal Health Act, a state law which sets PELs for New Jersey public
EPA. employees.

IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a
scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their measure of concentration by volume in air.
cancer-causing potential.
A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases
A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly energy under certain conditions.
dissolve in another.
A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by
mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of damaging the fetus.
air. It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).
TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure
MSHA is the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the limit recommended by ACGIH.
federal agency that regulates mining. It also evaluates and
approves respirators. The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a
solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure
indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and
therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in.
 page 6 of 6
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> E M E R G E N C Y I N F O R M A T I O N <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Common Name: ETHYL MERCAPTAN * If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be
DOT Number: UN 2363 properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be
NAERG Code: 130 applicable.
CAS Number: 75-08-1
=============================================
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire
Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA department. You can request emergency information from the
FLAMMABILITY - 4 following:

REACTIVITY - 0
CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300
FLAMMABLE NJDEP HOTLINE: (609) 292-7172
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE =============================================
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; HANDLING AND STORAGE (See page 3)
3=serious; 4=severe
FIRST AID
FIRE HAZARDS
In NJ, POISON INFORMATION 1-800-764-7661
* Ethyl Mercaptan is a FLAMMABLE GAS or LIQUID.
* Use dry chemical, CO2, or alcohol or polymer foam Eye Contact
extinguishers, as water may not be effective in a fire. * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids.
including Sulfur Oxides and Carbon Monoxide.
* CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. Skin Contact
* Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin
* Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. with soap and water.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. Breathing
* Remove the person from exposure.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if
breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped.
If liquid Ethyl Mercaptan is spilled or leaked, take the * Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
following steps: * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours
after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be
* Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from delayed.
area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete.
* Remove all ignition sources. PHYSICAL DATA
* Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar
material and deposit in sealed containers. Vapor Pressure: 442 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
* Ventilate area of spill or leak.
Flash Point: 0oF (-18oC)
If Ethyl Mercaptan gas is leaked, take the following steps: Water Solubility: Insoluble

* Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
area of leak until clean-up is complete.
* Remove all ignition sources. Chemical Name:
* Ventilate area of leak to disperse the gas. Ethanethiol
* Stop flow of gas. If source of leak is a cylinder and the leak Other Names:
cannot be stopped in place, remove the leaking cylinder to a Ethyl Hydrosulfide; Ethyl Thioalcohol; Thioethanol
safe place in the open air, and repair leak or allow cylinder ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
to empty. Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial
* Keep Ethyl Mercaptan out of a confined space, such as a purposes.
sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
sewer is designed to prevent the build-up of explosive NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
concentrations. SENIOR SERVICES
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Ethyl Right to Know Program
Mercaptan as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your (609) 984-2202
regional office of the federal Environmental Protection ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations.