# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Ethyl ether | CAS 60-29-7
C2H5OC2H5 | RTECS KI5775000
Synonyms & Trade Names Diethyl ether, Diethyl oxide, Ethyl oxide, Ether, Solvent ether | DOT ID & Guide 1155 127
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL: See Appendix D
OSHA PEL†: TWA 400 ppm (1200 mg/m3)
IDLH 1900 ppm [10%LEL] | Conversion 1 ppm = 3.03 mg/m3
Physical Description Colorless liquid with a pungent, sweetish odor. [Note: A gas above 94°F.]
MW: 74.1 | BP: 94°F | FRZ: -177°F | Sol: 8%
VP: 440 mmHg | IP: 9.53 eV |  | Sp.Gr: 0.71
Fl.P: -49°F | UEL: 36.0% | LEL: 1.9% |
Class IA Flammable Liquid: Fl.P. below 73°F and BP below 100°F.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Strong oxidizers, halogens, sulfur, sulfur compounds [Note: Tends to form explosive peroxides under influence of air and light.]
Measurement Methods NIOSH 1610; OSHA 7
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: Prevent skin contact Eyes: Prevent eye contact Wash skin: No recommendation Remove: When wet (flammable) Change: No recommendation | First Aid (See procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately Skin: Water wash promptly Breathing: Respiratory support Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations OSHA Up to 1900 ppm: (APF = 10) Any chemical cartridge respirator with organic vapor cartridge(s)*/(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister/(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with organic vapor cartridge(s)*/(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator*/(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Irritation eyes, skin, upper respiratory system; dizziness, drowsiness, headache, excited, narcosis; nausea, vomiting
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system
See also: INTRODUCTION