Glycidol

Agent Name
Glycidol
Alternative Name
2,3-Epoxy-1-propanol
CAS Number
556-52-5
Formula
C3-H6-O2
Major Category
Plastics & Rubber
Glycidol formula graphical representation
Synonyms
1,2-Epoxy-3-hydroxypropane; 1-Hydroxy-2,3-epoxypropane; 1-Propanol, 2,3-epoxy-; 2,3-Epoxy-1-propanol; 2,3-Epoxypropanol; 2-(Hydroxymethyl)oxirane; 2-Hydroxymethyloxiran; 3-Hydroxy-1,2-epoxypropane; 3-Hydroxypropylene oxide; Allyl alcohol oxide; Epihydrin alcohol; Epoxypropyl alcohol; Glycide; Glycidol; Glycidyl alcohol; Hydroxymethyl ethylene oxide; Methanol, oxiranyl-; Monoepoxide glycidol; Oxiranemethanol; Oxiranylmethanol; [ChemIDplus] UN2810
Category
Epoxides
Description
Colorless, slightly viscous liquid; [HSDB]
Sources/Uses
Used primarily as a stabilizer of vinyl polymers; [ACGIH]
Comments
Mice and rats exposed to high concentrations develop pneumonitis and emphysema; Rabbits show skin irritation and reversible corneal burns after skin and eye exposure; [ACGIH] In lethal inhalation studies of rodents, pulmonary edema was usually the cause of death; There is no experimental data, but glycidol, an epoxide, should be considered a potential skin and respiratory sensitizer; [HSDB]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
2 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
50 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
150 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Other animal data: It has been reported that rats exposed repeatedly to 400 ppm for 7 hours per day, 5 days a week for 10 weeks showed no evidence of cumulative toxicity, only very slight irritation of the eyes, and slight lacrimation and respiratory distress following the first few exposures [Hine et al. 1956]. \ Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.
Vapor Pressure
5.59 mm Hg
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 580 ppm/8H
Explanatory Notes
Flash point = 162 deg F; VP =5.59 mm Hg @ 25 deg C; [HSDB]
Reference Link #2

Adverse Effects

Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns
IARC Carcinogen
Probable (2a)
NTP Carcinogen
Anticipated human carcinogen
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Animal

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: