GPS Safety Summary Reference No. : JIPS_MSP_OL-0002_JP_EN

GPS/JIPS Safety Summary
1. SUBSTANCE NAME
Ethylene (CAS No.: 74-85-1)

2. GENERAL STATEMENT
Ethylene is a source material for producing polyethylene, from which fuel containers and shoppingbags we often see in our daily lives are made. The substance takes the form of a clear gas undernormal temperatures, and possesses a slightly peculiar odor. It is a typical basic petrochemical
product generated by thermally decomposing naphtha made from crude oil at temperatures of800ºC or higher. Since the product is an organic compound with a double bond, it is used as abasic source material for polyethylene, ethylene oxide and other ethylene products. It is also
implemented in the production of ethylene glycol, one of the source materials of PET bottles andpolyester fibers. Ethylene is also a type of plant hormone produced by plants, and is used for
promoting the sprouting of seeds and the maturation of fruits. Since the product is a highly
combustible and flammable gas, it is important to keep it away from heat, sparks, open flames andother fire sources. Additionally, note that inhalation of the gas could induce drowsiness anddizziness. As such, it is recommended that one wear the appropriate protective masks and gloves
when sampling the products, etc. Moreover, in order to minimize affecting the environment andvarious life forms, it is desirable to implement leakage prevention measures.

3. CHEMICAL IDENTITY
Item
Chemical or genericnameTrade name
CAS No.
Other No.
Chemical Formula
Structual Formnula

Description
Ethylene
Ethylene
74-85-1
Japan: Chemical Substances Control Law (2)-12
Japan: Industrial Safety and Health Act, existing chemical substanceC2H４H
HSource/References

C CH
HSection 3 of the SDS issued by Resonac Corporation

4. USES AND APPLICATIONS
Main uses

The substance is used as a source material for polyethylene,
acetaldehyde, ethylbenzene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin
emulsion, etc.

5. PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL PROPERTIESThe substance takes the form of a clear gas under normal temperatures, and possesses a slight,
peculiar odor. Since the gas is extremely combustible and flammable, it is important to it keepaway from heat, sparks, open flames and other fire sources.
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Appearance
ColourOdour
Melting point/Boiling point
Flash point
Flammability (solid, gas)
Explosive limits (vol %)Auto-ignition temperature
Vapour pressure
Relative vapour density at
20 ℃
Relative density
Density
Solubility in waterPartition
coefficientnoctanol/water (Log Pow)
Sources/references

Gas
Colourless
Slightly, peculiar odour-169.2 ℃ / -102.4 ℃ （700mmHg）-136 ℃
Flammability
3.1 – 32 vol %450 ℃
42700 hPa （0℃）
No data available
0.98 （air=1）
0.974 g/cm³ （15℃）
No data available
0.053
Section 9 of the SDS issued by Resonac Corporation

6. HEALTH EFFECTS
When inhaled, the gas could induce drowsiness and dizziness.
Effect assessment
Acute toxicity (oral)
Acute toxicity (dermal)
Acute toxicity (inhalation:gas)
Acute toxicity (inhalation:vapour)
Acute toxicity (inhalation:dust,mist)
Skin corrosion/irritation
Serious eye damage/eye irritation,
Respiratory sensitisation
Skin sensitisation
Germ cell mutagenicity
Carcinogenicity
Reproductive toxicity
Specific target organ toxicity — Single exposure,Specific target organ toxicity (repeatedexposure)
Aspiration hazard
Referencese

Results （GHS Hazard Classification）
Not applicableNot applicableNot classified
Not applicableNot applicable
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Category 3 (Narcosis) May cause drowsinessor dizziness.
Classification not possible
Not applicable
Section 2 and 11 of SDS issued by Resonac
Corporation• GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals): A system that classifies chemicals
according to the type and degree of hazards, labels the information, and provides safety data sheets according toglobally harmonized rules.
• Not applicable: Since the priority of physical state, chemical structure, chemical property, and hazard items used in
the GHS classification procedures does not fall under the category, it is not subject to the classification for thecategory.
• Not classified: Sufficient information has been obtained to implement the GHS classification, and as a result of theclassification, it does not fall under any of the hazard categories specified in the GHS.
• Classification not possible : There is not enough information for GHS classification, and classification is not possible.

7. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
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Effect assessment
Hazardous to the aquatic environment, shortterm (acute)Hazardous to the aquatic environment, longterm (chronic)
Hazardous to the ozone layer
Sources/references

Results （GHS Hazard Classification）
Category 3 Harmful to aquatic life
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Sections 2 and 12 of the SDS issued byResonac Corporation

Environmental fate/dynamics
Mobility in soil
Koc=98Persistence/degradabili
No additional information available
ty
Bioaccumulation
BCF=4
Bioaccumulation potential is presumed to be low.
potential
Conclusion about
The criteria for persistent bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT; remaining
PBT/vPvB
persistently in the environment and possessing high bioaccumulation
potential and toxicity) and very persistent and very bioaccumulative(vPvB; remaining very persistently in the environment and possessing
very high bioaccumulation potential) chemicals are believed toinapplicable.
Sources/references
Sections 12 of the SDS issued by Resonac Corporation

8. EXPOSUREDetals
Occupational exposures

Consumer exposures
Environmentalexposures

Precautions

Exposure potentials through main uses
Since the company’s product is produced in a closed process, thepotential for occupational exposure is extremely limited. Polyethylene,
acetaldehyde and other products made from the substance aremanufactured in closed processing systems. As such, exposure toworkers who manufacture polyethylene and acetaldehyde, etc., isextremely limited. However, workers could inhale the substance, or
their skin and eyes could come in direct contact with it when sampling,etc.
The substance is not used in any case by general consumers.
Since the substance is normally manufactured and used in a closed
process, its emission into the environment is extremely limited. The
substance exists in the form of gas under normal temperatures andpressures, and is believed to be dispersed in the air when discharged
into the environment. Further, the substance could be promptly
decomposed in the air.
If there is a possibility of exposure in other uses, take appropriate
measures with reference to recommended risk management measures.

9. RISK MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommended risk management measures can minimize risks to workers, consumers, and theenvironment from Section 8 exposure scenarios.
DetalsWorkerRisk management recommendations
Wear appropriate protective masks, as well as clothes and protective
gloves made of materials impermeable to ethylene, when sampling thesubstance. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial
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Consumer
Enviaronment

Special notes(emergency measuresin case of leakage, etc.)

PrecautionsHygienists (ACGIH) has published the occupational threshold limit
value of 200 ppm (time-weighted average; TWA) for this substance.
Therefore, in manufacturing places or places using the substance, it isrequired to manage and control an environmental concentration of thesubstance to keep it below the threshold limit value. Managers
responsible for processes should educate workers on the selection ofappropriate protective gear, their proper usage and how to manage
their working places.
Precautions
The operation manager should educate operators about the selectionof appropriate protective equipment, proper usage method, and control
method of the work site.
The substance is not used by general consumers.
The substance could affect the environment if leaked. Therefore,
implement preventive measures against leakage and pay attention to
the daily management and handling of the substance.
Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, high-temperature objects
and other fire sources, because the substance is extremely
combustible and flammable.
Wear conductive shoes that prevent static electricity while at work.
When ethylene manufacturing facilities are open (for regular repair,etc.), oxygen shortage could result when the atmosphericconcentration of ethylene is high. Measure the oxygen concentration
before entering the area, and wear appropriate protective gear asnecessary.
For normal handling, emergency response, disposal, and transportation
control measures, refer to sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, and 14 of the SDS
issued by Resonac Corporation.

10. STATE AGENCY REVIEW
Hazard assessment
Situations of review
International Chemical Safety International Chemical Safety Card
https://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0475.htm
Cards
OECD HPVHigh production volume chemical testing programme
https://hpvchemicals.oecd.org/UI/Search.aspxNITE-CHRIP （ NITE Chemical https://www.nite.go.jp/en/chem/chrip/chrip_search/srhInput
Risk Information Platform）
GHS Classification Results by https://www.nite.go.jp/chem/english/ghs/13-mhlw-2018e.html
the Japanese Government

11. REGULATORY INFORMATION／GHS CLASSIFICATION AND LABELLING INFORMATION
Regulatory information only in Japan
Applicable laws
Regulatory situations
Industrial Safety andDangerous or Harmful Substances Subject to Be Indicated theirHealth Act
Names（Article 57 Paragraph (1) of the Act, Article 18 item(ⅰ)
and item(ⅱ) appended Table No. 9 of the Enforcement Order）ethylene

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Dangerous Substances：flammable gas（appended table1 item 5 ofEnforcement Order）
ethylene
Dangerous Articles and Harmful Substances Whose Names, etc.
Should Be Notified（Article 57-2 of the Act, Article 18-2 item(ⅰ)
and item(ⅱ) appended Table No. 9 of the Enforcement Order）
ethylene
Not applicable

Poisonous and Deleterious
Substances Control Act
Ship Safety Act

High-pressure gas, flammable high-pressure gas （Article 2 and 3of Regulations for the Carriage and Storage of Dangerous Goods
in Ship, Cabinet Order Concerning the Control of Hazardous
Materials appended Table 1）

Civil Aeronautics Act

High-pressure gas, （Article 194 of the Enforcement Ordinance,Cabinet Order Concerning the Control of Hazardous Materials
appended Table 1）
Articles Prohibited from Being Transported (Article 194 (ix) of theEnforcement Regulations) (deep-cooled liquefied)Port Regulations Act

Road ActHigh Pressure Gas SafetyAct

Act on Confirmation, etc. ofRelease Amounts of SpecificChemical Substances in theEnvironment and Promotionof Improvements to theManagement Thereof ( Lawconcerning Pollutant
Release and Transfer
Register / PRTR)
Agricultural Chemicals
Regulation Act
UN classification
UN No.
Hazards
Physical hazards

Hazardous materials（inflammable liquids） (Article 20-2 of theAct, Article 12 of Enforcement Ordinance, Notification of theEnforcement Regulations of the Port Regulations Act specifying
the types of hazardous materials)
Restrictions on vehicle traffic（Article 19-13 of the Enforcement
Ordinance, Appended Table 2 of Notification No.12 of Japan
Expressway Holding and Debt Repayment Agency）
ethylene
Compressed gases (Article 2-1 of the Act)
Compressed gases
Liquefied gas (Article 2-3 of the Act)
Liquefied gasflammable gas (Article 2-1 of the General High-pressure Gas
Safety Regulations)
ethylene
Not applicableSpecified agricultural chemicals (Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the Act,
Notification No. 1, March 4, 2003)
ethylene
2.11038 (deep-cooled liquefied)/1962 (compressed)
Classification results (hazard information)
Flammable Gas, Category 1
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Health hazards
Environmental hazards

Gases under pressure, Compressed gas or deep-cooled liquefied
gas
Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure) Category 3, NarcosisHazardous to the aquatic environment, short-term (acute),
Category 3

Labelling Information
Hazard pictograms (GHS)

Signal word (GHS)
Hazard statements (GHS)

DangerExtremely flammable gas (H220)
Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated. (H280)
Contains refrigerated gas; may cause cryogenic burns or injury(H281)
May cause drowsiness or dizziness. (H336)
Harmful to aquatic life (H402)

12. CONTACT INFORMATION
CompanyAddress
Departments
Tel. / Fax

Resonac Corporation
1-9-2, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6606, Japan
Petrochemicals Division, Olefins Department+81-3-5470-3752/ +81-3-5533-7922

13. DATE OF ISSUE / REVISION, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Date of issue: September 27, 2013
Revisions:
Date of revision
Revised section
Revised item
VersionJanuary 10, 2023
5, 6, 10-13
Update to the latest information Rev.2
The contents are based on the safety data sheet (SDS) created on January 10, 2023.
Special instructions: none

14. DISCLAIMER
The safety summary is part of the effort for the voluntary management of chemical substance inthe chemical industry (GPS/JIPS: Japan Initiative of Product Stewardship). The purpose of thesafety summary is to provide information on the safe handling of the product as an overview andnot to provide professional information, such as the risk evaluation process and its impact onhuman health and the environment. This document is not meant to serve as an alternative to risk
evaluation, such as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or a Chemical Safety Report (CSR). This safetysummary is being written as accurately as possible based on data such as laws, materials, andinformation available at the time of publication, but it does not include all data. It does notguarantee anything.

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