Ethylene Glycol

1Identification

Name

Ethylene Glycol

IUPAC name

ethane-1,2-diol

CAS number

107-21-1 (also reported: 25322-68-3, 37225-26-6, 3775-85-7)

EC number

203-473-3

Molecular formula

C2H6O2

Molecular weight

62.07 g/mol

InChIKey

LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N

SMILES

C(CO)O

PubChem CID

174

Synonyms

ETHYLENE GLYCOL, Ethane-1,2-diol, 1,2-ethanediol, glycol, monoethylene glycol, 2-hydroxyethanol, 1,2-Dihydroxyethane, Glycol alcohol, Ethylene alcohol, Fridex, Tescol, Norkool, Ethylene dihydrate, Zerex

Recommended uses

• CIR ingredient: Ethylene Glycol
  Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
• Ethylene glycol is used as antifreeze in cooling and heating systems, in hydraulic brake fluids, as an industrial humectant, as an ingredient of electrolytic condensers, as a solvent in the paint and plastics industries, in the formulations of printers' inks, stamp pad inks, and inks for ballpoint pens, as a softening agent for cellophane, and in the synthesis of safety explosives, plasticizers, synthetic fibers (Terylene, Dacron), and synthetic waxes.
  EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants
• Used in antifreeze and deicing solutions for cars, boats, and aircraft; also used as a solvent for paints, plastics, photographic developing solutions, coolants, hydraulic fluids, and inks; [ATSDR ToxFAQs] Highest risk for exposure in deicing aircraft and runways; [Reference #2] Occupational exposure mainly through skin and eyes, but also inhalation if heated or aerosolized; 50% solution used to de-ice bridges; Has been used in adhesives, polishes, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals; [ACGIH]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Processing aids not otherwise specified Monomers Surfactant (surface active agent) Plating agent Heat transferring agent Fuel pH regulating agent Solvent Anti-adhesive/cohesive Anti-freeze agent Binder Other Freeze-thaw additive Lubricating agent Processing aids, specific to petroleum production Intermediate Laboratory chemicals Hydraulic fluids Plasticizer Refrigerants Corrosion inhibitor Filler Diluent Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Catalyst Emulsifier Soil amendments (fertilizers)
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
• Processing aids, specific to petroleum production Intermediate Adhesion/cohesion promoter Coalescing agent Plasticizer Hydraulic fluids Catalyst Corrosion inhibitor Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Diluent Soil amendments (fertilizers) Monomers Heat transferring agent Insulators Anti-adhesive/cohesive Anti-freeze agent Solvent Freeze-thaw additive Lubricating agent Other
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)

Use categories: Food additives · Food Additives -> ADJUVANT; CARRIER_SOLVENT -> JECFA Functional Classes · Cosmetics -> Humectant; Viscosity controlling; Solvent · SOLVENTS

Description

• Ethylene glycol is a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water. It is odorless, but has a sweet taste. Ethylene glycol is used to make antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes, and boats. It is also used in hydraulic brake fluids and inks used in stamp pads, ballpoint pens, and print shops.
  Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Ethylene glycol (ingested) can cause developmental toxicity according to The National Toxicology Program.
  California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
• Ethylene glycol is a clear, colorless syrupy liquid. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. Since it is a liquid it can easily penetrate the soil and contaminate groundwater and nearby streams.
  CAMEO Chemicals

2Hazard identification

Signal word

Warning

Pictograms

GHS07

Classification source

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council

Precautionary statements

Other reported classifications

5 classification records exist across sources. Differences usually reflect purity, physical form or impurities.

NFPA 704 rating

• 2 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 1 - Materials that must be preheated before ignition can occur. Materials require considerable preheating, under all ambient temperature conditions, before ignition and combustion can occur.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 0 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire conditions.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Health hazards

• Inhalation of vapor is not hazardous. Ingestion causes stupor or coma, sometimes leading to fatal kidney injury. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Fire hazards

• This chemical is combustible. (NTP, 1992)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Combustible.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Hazards summary

• Ethylene glycol is a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water. It is odorless, but has a sweet taste. Ethylene glycol is used to make antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes, and boats. It is also used in hydraulic brake fluids and inks used in stamp pads, ballpoint pens, and print shops.
  Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Ethylene glycol has many uses, including as antifreeze in cooling and heating systems, in hydraulic brake fluids, and as a solvent. Acute (short-term) exposure of humans to ethylene glycol by ingesting large quantities causes three stages of health effects: central nervous system (CNS) depression, followed by cardiopulmonary effects, and later renal damage. The only effects noted in one study of individuals exposed to low levels of ethylene glycol by inhalation for about a month were throat and upper respiratory tract irritation. Rats and mice chronically (long-term) exposed to ethylene glycol in their diet exhibited signs of kidney toxicity and liver effects.
  EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants

3Composition / information on ingredients

This page describes the pure substance. Commercial products may be solutions or mixtures. Check Section 3 of your supplier's SDS for concentrations and other ingredients.

4First-aid measures

• EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
  CAMEO Chemicals
• (General first aid procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately. Skin: Water wash immediately - If this chemical contacts the skin, immediately wash the contaminated skin with water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and wash the skin with water. If symptoms occur after washing, get medical attention immediately. Breathing: Respiratory support Swallow: Medical attention immediately - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately.
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Symptoms of exposure

• Cough. Dizziness. Headache.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Redness.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Redness. Pain.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

5Fire-fighting measures

• If material on fire or involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Use "alcohol" foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Keep run-off water out of sewers and water sources.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

6Accidental release measures

Spill cleanup

• Personal protection: filter respirator for organic gases and vapours adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable containers as far as possible. Wash away remainder with plenty of water.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Environmental considerations: Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or solid material. /SRP: If time permits, pits, ponds, lagoons, soak holes, or holding areas should be sealed with an impermeable flexible membrane liner./ Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash, cement powder, or commercial sorbents.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Environmental considerations: Air spill: Apply water spray or mist to knock down vapors.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Environmental considerations: Water spill: Use natural barriers or oil spill control booms to limit spill travel. Remove trapped material with suction hoses.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

7Handling and storage

• Separated from strong oxidants, strong bases and strong acids. Dry. Ventilation along the floor.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• ... Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area away from oxidizing agents.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Temperature: Ambient
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

8Exposure controls / personal protection

Personal protective equipment

• Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Ethylene glycol: Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact. Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact. Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated. Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced. Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• /Breakthrough times greater than one hour reported by (normally) two or more testers for natural rubber (nat Rub), neoprene (neop), nitrile rubber (nitrile), polyethlene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some data suggesting breakthrough times of approximately an hour or more for neoprene/natural rubber (Neop/Nat Rub) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). No data for butyl rubber (Butyl) Neoprene/styrene-butadiene (Neop/SBR), nitrile rubber/polyvinyl chloride (Nitrile/PVC), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), polyurethane (PU), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and viton.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Respirator recommendations

• Important additional information about respirator selection
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

9Physical and chemical properties

10Stability and reactivity

Reactivity

• Mixing ETHYLENE GLYCOL in equal molar portions with any of the following substances in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase: chlorosulfonic acid, oleum, sulfuric acid, [NFPA 1991].
  CAMEO Chemicals
• No rapid reaction with air. No rapid reaction with water.
  CAMEO Chemicals

Incompatible materials and hazardous reactions

• Mixing ethylene glycol and 96% sulfuric acid in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Contact of aq ethylene glycol soln with DC-energized silvered copper wires causes ignition of the latter. Bare copper or nickel- or tin-plated wires were inert and silver-plated wire can be made by adding benzotriazole as a metal deactivator to the coolant soln. This problem of electrical connector fires in aircraft has been studied in detail to identify the significant factors.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• A mixture of phosphorus(V) sulfide, ethylene glycol, and hexane in a mantle-heated flask spontaneously overheated and exploded at an internal temperature of about 180 °C. It had been intended to maintain the reaction temp at 60 °C, but since alcoholysis of the sulfide is exothermic, presence of the heating mantle prevented the dissipation of heat, and the reaction accelerated continuously until explosive decomposition occurred.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

11Toxicological information

Routes of exposure

• The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and through the skin.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Target organs

• Cardiovascular (Heart and Blood Vessels), Developmental (effects during periods when organs are developing) , Renal (Urinary System or Kidneys), Respiratory (From the Nose to the Lungs)
  Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• Urinary
  EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)

Short-term exposure effects

• The substance is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the kidneys, central nervous system and acid-base balance in the body. This may result in renal failure, brain injury and metabolic acidosis. Exposure could cause lowering of consciousness.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Carcinogen classification

• Ethylene Glycol
  NTP Technical Reports
• TR-413: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Ethylene Glycol (CASRN 107-21-1) in B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies) (1993 )
  NTP Technical Reports
• 07/09/91
  NTP Technical Reports
• Chemical Not Tested in Species/Sex
  NTP Technical Reports

12Ecological information

Environmental fate

• Ethylene glycol's production and uses such as a coolant and antifreeze, solvent, brake fluid, in cosmetics (up to 5%), ball point pen inks, printing inks, and adhesives may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. Ethylene glycol's use as a component of deicing fluid for airport runways and drilling fluids will result in its direct release to the environment. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 0.0878 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates ethylene glycol will exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase ethylene glycol will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals;
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Ecotoxicity

• LC50; Species: Xenopus laevis (African Clawed Frog) age 3-4 wk; Conditions: freshwater, static, 20 °C; Concentration: 326000 ug/L for 48 hr /formulation/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• EC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water Flea) age <24 hr neonate; Conditions: freshwater, static, 21 °C, pH 7.6; Concentration: 782.7 mM for 24 hr; Effect: intoxication, immobilization
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• LC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water Flea) age < or =24 hr; Conditions: freshwater, static, 20-22 °C; Concentration: >10000000 ug/L for 24 hr /formulation/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

13Disposal considerations

• SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

14Transport information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 14 of the supplier's SDS.

How DOT hazard classes work →

15Regulatory information

• This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. Ethylene glycol is produced, as an intermediate or a final product, by process units covered under this subpart.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Residues of ethylene glycol are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest. Use: Encapsulating agent for pesticides being applied post-harvest as residual, and crack and crevice sprays in and around food and nonfood areas of residential and nonresidential structures, including food handling establishments. Limit: without limitation.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Ethylene glycol as a component of pesticide formulations is exempt from the requirement of a tolerance when used in foliar applications to peanut plants.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 5000 lb or 2270 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV.D.3.b).
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Ethylene glycol is an indirect food additive for use only as a component of adhesives.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Overview of SDS regulations (OSHA HazCom, WHMIS, REACH/CLP) →

16Other information

Compiled from PubChem CID 174 and the sources it aggregates (attributed inline). Data retrieved 2026-10-12. This summary describes the pure substance and is not a supplier SDS.