Kao Corporation
GLOBAL PRODUCT STRATEGY SAFETY SUMMARYEMULGEN 120
This document is a high-level summary intended to provide the general public with anoverview of product safety for this substance. It is not intended to replace the Safety Data
Sheet, which is available from suppliers and should be referred to for full details ofrecommended safety procedures for each type of use. It is not intended to replace orsupersede manufacturer’s instructions and warnings for their consumer products containing
this substance.

1. Substance Identity
Brand Name: EMULGEN 120
Chemical Name: Polyoxyethylene (12) lauryl ether
CAS Number: 9002-92-0

2. Uses and Applications
EMULGEN 120 is a non-ionic surfactant. It is used as consumer products contained invarious detergents and as an emulsifier for cosmetic products, and others.
For the industrial use, EMULGEN 120 is used as cleaning agent, emulsifier, adjuster ofemulsion polymerization, and others.

3. Physical/Chemical Properties
EMULGEN 120 has no identified physicochemical hazards.
Property

Value

Physical stateSolidColour

White to pale yellowOdour

Slightly characteristic odour

pH4.0 – 6.0 (5% solution)

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Flammability

1.014 g/mL ( 40.0 °C) ( 104 °F),
1.007 g/mL ( 50.0 °C) ( 122 °F),
1.0 g/mL ( 60.0 °C) ( 140 °F)
45.5 °C ( 113.9 °F)
No information available
212.0 °C ( 413.6 °F)(Cleveland open cup method)
No information available

Explosive properties
Self – ignition temperature

No information available
No information available

Vapour pressure
Water solubility
Octanol-water partition coefficient (log Kow)

No information availableSoluble
No information available56.0 mPa･s ( 40.0 °C) ( 104 °F)
39.0 mPa･s ( 50.0 °C) ( 122 °F)
28.0 mPa･s ( 60.0 °C) ( 140 °F)

Density
Melting point
Boiling point
Flash point

Viscosity

4. Human Health Safety Assessment
Consumer: The exposure to EMULGEN 120 is at safe levels.
Worker: The repeated exposure of EMULGEN 120 does not cause any toxic effects
Effect Assessment

ResultAcute Toxicity
oral/ dermal
Irritationskin/ eyeHarmful if swallowed
No acute toxicity after dermal exposure
Unlikely to cause skin irritation
Undiluted substance causes serious eye damage
Based on the available data, unlikely to cause allergic
skin reaction
Unlikely to cause any toxic effects through prolonged
or repeated oral exposure in practical use
Based on the available data, unlikely to cause genetic
defects
Based on the available data, unlikely to cause cancer
Based on the available data, unlikely to be damaging
to fertility or the unborn childSensitization
Toxicity after repeated exposure
Mutagenicity
Carcinogenicity
Toxicity for reproduction

5. Environmental Safety Assessment
The test results with fish, aquatic invertebrates and algae suggest that EMULGEN 120 could
cause toxicity for aquatic organism. It also could cause harmfulness to aquatic organisms
with long lasting effects. However, EMULGEN 120 is unlikely to persist in the environment
because of showing the readily biodegradation. EMULGEN 120 does not bioaccumulate in
the food chain.

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Effect Assessment

ResultBased on the available data, likely to cause toxicity foraquatic organism and harmful to aquatic life with long
lasting effects.
Biodegradation
Readily biodegradable
Not persistent in the environment, not bioaccumulating
PBT/ vPvB conclusion*in organisms and not toxic nor very persistent andvery bioaccumulating*PBT=Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic
vPvB=Very Persistent and Very Bioaccumulative
Aquatic Toxicity

6. Exposure
Consumer
The consumer can come into contact with the substance in use of the detergent andcosmetic products, but the concentration of EMULGEN 120 in use is below the level which
would give rise harmful effects of concern. When it’s used as the recommended use,
consumer should always read product information before use and follow the label/ use
instructions.
WorkerThe exposure can occur either in EMULGEN 120 manufacturing facilities or in the various
industrial facilities when EMULGEN 120 is used. Those workers in industrial operations
during maintenance, sampling, testing, or other procedures could be exposed with
EMULGEN 120. Only qualified and trained workers handle the undiluted substance. The
manufacturing facilities offer thorough training program for employees and appropriate work
processes, as well as safety equipment (goggles and gloves) in place to present an
unnecessary exposure. Safety showers and eye-wash stations are accessible nearby.
Workers are required to be trained in accordance with the safety measures in the Safety
Data Sheet.
Environment
Since this substance is used extensively, it is discharged to waste water treatment plantsfrom industrial sites such as manufacturing, preparation, handling, storage and use of thesubstance as well as from consumer households. However, the substance is readily
biodegradable, so that it is removed efficiently in waste water treatment plants. The
substance is biologically degraded in the surface water and is rapidly removed even if it isremained slightly in the waste water. Hence, the chronic exposure to aquatic organisms of
the substance is unlikely to occur. Furthermore, the substance dose not accumulate in thefood chain, so that there is no concern of human exposure through environmental pathway.

7. Risk management recommendations
When you use the substance, make sure to be measured the adequate ventilation. Always
use appropriate chemical-resistant gloves to protect your hands and skin and always wear
eye protection equipment. Do not eat, drink or smoke where the substance is handled,

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processed or stored. Wash hands and skin after contact with the substance. When thesubstance attaches to skin (or hair), take off the contaminated clothes. Wash with a large
amount of water and soap. When it causes your skin irritation, seek medical advice/attention.
If the substance gets into your eyes, rinse your eyes thoroughly for several minutes. If you
wear contact lenses, and you can take it off easily, take it off and continue to rinse your eyes.
Contact to a doctor immediately.
Waste water containing the substance must be passed the waste water treatment plants inorder to remove the substance. No specific measures are needed, because it is notexpected to be released into the air.

8. Regulatory Information/Classification and Labeling
Under GHS classification chemical substances are classified in hazards for physicalproperties, human health and environment. The hazard information for industrial products
are transmitted via specific labels and Safety Data Sheet. GHS offers the standardization for
hazard communication. The subjects who could be assumed to be exposed to the substance,workers, consumers, transport workers, and emergency responders, can better understandthe hazards of the chemicals in use through the transmission.
Labeling according to UN GHS
UN GHS is the basis for country specific GHS labeling.
EMULGEN 120 may be assigned to following GHS classification.

Classification and labeling information
Acute Tox. 4
Eye Dam. 1
Aquatic Acute 2
Aquatic Chronic 3
Hazard Statements:
H302: Harmful if swallowed
H318: Causes serious eye damage
H401: Toxic to aquatic life
H412: Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Signal Word
DangerThe laws of manufacturing, sale, transport, use and disposal are different among countries
or areas. Details are referred to Safety Data Sheet provided by the supplier.

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9. Conclusion
Though EMULGEN 120 is suggested to cause toxicity to aquatic organisms, there is noconcern to the environmental organisms due to the rapid biodegradation of EMULGEN 120.
In the PBT/vPvB assessments for EMULGEN 120, the substance is not applicable toPBT/vPvB. Contact with the undiluted EMULGEN 120 may cause serious damage to theeyes. When handling the substance, workers should follow the standard safety measuresand refer to the Safety Data Sheet. Consumers will usually not come into contact with thesubstance bulk and the substance is used diluted products, therefore, it is considered thatEMULGEN 120 gives rise no hazardous effects to human health.

10. Contact information within company
For further information on this substance or product safety summaries in general, pleasecontact:
Name
Telephone number
Fax number
E-mail address

Kao Corporation, Global Chemical Business+81-3-5630-7700+81-3-5630-7889
chemical@kao.co.jp

Additional information can be found at the International Council of Chemical Associations
portal, found at http://www.icca-chem.org/.

11. Glossary
HazardGHS
Acute Toxicity
Sensitization
Mutagenicity
Toxicity after repeatedexposure
Toxicity for reproduction
Carcinogenicity
Biodegradation
Bioaccumulation

Hazardous property for human health or environments
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labellingof Chemicals
Adverse effects that result from a single exposure
Inducibility of allergy
Effects to induce gene mutations
Adverse effects that result from repeated exposure
Adverse effects for teratogenicity, embryotoxicity, andreproductivity
Action influence to cause a cancer
Biological degradation of a substance in environments
Accumulation of substances in environments

12. Date of Issue
December 14 2018

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