Alcohol is a common reagent used in biology and chemistry laboratories. Ethanol is an alcohol that has an OH group with the formula C2H5OH. It is described as a clear, colorless liquid with a slight odor and a volatile reactivity profile, which is why it is important to be aware of and follow proper safety procedures for ethanol.
The physical properties of ethanol are:
- Molecular weight: 46.07 g/mol
- Density: 789 kg/m³
- Boiling point: 173.1°F
- Freezing point: -173.5°F
- Flashpoint: 55°F
- Solubility: Miscible
- Vapor pressure: 44 mmHg
Ethanol is produced by fermenting sugars with yeast or hydrating ethylene in steam. It has a vital role in the synthesis of organic compounds and can serve as a combustible fuel source.
Safety Procedures for Ethanol: Tips for the Proper Handling of Ethanol
When mixing, dispensing, or transporting ethanol, you should always handle it with caution to minimize the risk of injury. Prior to distributing ethanol for experimental purposes, it’s imperative that you defer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to better understand its physical and chemical characteristics.
It may be necessary to run a hazard analysis or risk assessment of the expected usage before performing any type of laboratory demonstration. For that reason, you should create a list of possible hazards along with the identified controls to mitigate them.
Consulting the safety procedures is highly recommended if you have any reservations about exposure to ethanol since it’s been classified as a flammable and toxic substance. While working in a research facility, make sure to keep ethanol away from excessive heat, visible sparks, and open flames such as a Bunsen burner.
When mixing ethanol with other chemicals, set up the materials you need inside the fume hood to increase ventilation. For temporary storage, you can pour the solvent into glass beakers, flasks, or cylinders. Because ethanol is corrosive to metals and plastics (copper, aluminum, zinc, polymers, rubbers, etc.), you must seal it in containers that are resistant to those effects.
To ensure a sanitized environment, you must remember to wear protective clothing, gloves, and facial covering that will reduce exposure to harmful substances or byproducts. This means putting on safety glasses with side shields or chemical-splash goggles aside from the standard lab coats and chemical-resistant aprons.
Responding to Hazardous Accidents Involving Ethanol
Alcohols are generally unfit for consumption and will cause an intoxicating effect when ingested in small amounts. In the event of exposure to ethanol, step away from strong vapors that have dissipated into the air. Do not breathe in the vapors, mists, and gas for long periods, or else it could damage your health.
If any of it is touching the skin, gently wash the affected area with soap and water. Otherwise, it will lead to further skin irritation that causes itching and peeling. This can be prevented by wearing nitrile or butyl rubber gloves for full contact with a layer thickness between 0.2 and 0.3 mm.
For a sudden splash in the eyes, be sure to flush it out with water for at least 10-15 minutes until eyesight has been restored. But if swelling and pain symptoms persist, call for emergency medical assistance immediately.
When facing an accidental spill, you should remove all potential sources of ignition from the exposed workstation. Leaving it unattended is dangerous because vapors may spread out from the source and form an explosive mixture in the air.
At the end of an experiment, close all reagent containers once you are done using them. For safely disposing of ethanol, collect the liquid in a hazardous waste bag and do not let it enter the sewage system.
The Storage and Transfer of Ethanol
Another thing is to restrict the quantity of ethanol so you aren’t leaving large concentrations in the open during the organic synthesis of products from reactants. This includes the oxidation, dehydration, substitution, pH detection, and esterification of alkoxides.
In Section 2 of the MSDS, the hazard identification classifies ethanol as:
- Category 2 for flammable liquids, reproductive, and organ toxicity
- Category 3 for irritation from oral, dermal, and inhalation
That’s why ethanol is capable of reacting violently with many kinds of mixtures. For example, you should never combine it with concentrated sulfuric acid or hydrogen peroxide because it could yield an explosive release of energy and damage the surrounding equipment.
With that in mind, you’ll need to take preventive measures against dangerous incidents such as a fire in the building. Therefore, you have to account for static discharge or lighting by making all materials explosion-proof.
To clean up an ethanol spillage, try collecting it with an electrically insulated vacuum cleaner. For smaller amounts, use a wet brush to soak up the contents and seal them in a disposable container.
Once you are done, store it in a closed cabinet and away from reactive chemicals including oxidizing agents, strong acids, and bases. Have the safety data sheet on hand if you ever encounter an emergency and need to take first-aid or fire-fighting measures.
According to standard practices, all lab personnel must be able to locate emergency equipment. This includes the fire extinguisher, fire alarm, eyewash station, and standing shower.
