OYSI

Ethanol: Hazard Symbols, H-Statements and Safe Handling

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Olivier Hoefer·Managing Director OYSI GmbH

Ethanol (CAS 64-17-5) is part of my daily work in chemical trading: as a solvent, disinfectant, in pharmaceutics and cosmetics. It's one of the most commonly used substances — and precisely because of that, its hazard classification is often underestimated.

Hazard Symbols: Which GHS Pictograms Apply to Ethanol?

GHS02 Gefahrensymbol: Entzündbar – Flamme
GHS02Flame
GHS07 Gefahrensymbol: Gesundheitsschädlich/Reizend – Ausrufezeichen
GHS07Exclamation Mark
Signal Word: Danger

Ethanol carries two GHS pictograms: GHS02 (Flame) due to its flammability, and GHS07 (Exclamation Mark) for its irritant effects. The signal word is "Danger".

H-Statements: What Do the Hazard Statements Say?

CodeHazard Statement
H225Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H319Causes serious eye irritation

The H225 is the critical statement: ethanol has a flash point of only 13 °C. This means flammable vapour-air mixtures form even at room temperature.

P-Statements: Key Precautionary Statements

CodePrecautionary Statement
P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames.
P280Wear protective gloves / eye protection.
P305+P351+P338IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses.
P403+P235Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.

Practical Tips: Safe Handling of Ethanol

In my experience in chemical trading, I regularly see the same mistakes. Here are the essential rules:

Storage

  • Storage class 3: Ethanol must be stored separately from oxidizers and strong acids.
  • Temperature: Store cool, ideally below 25 °C.
  • Containers: Only in approved, hermetically sealed containers. Stainless steel or HDPE.

Occupational Safety

  • Safety goggles are mandatory — H319 (serious eye irritation).
  • Gloves: Nitrile gloves are adequate. Latex does not provide sufficient protection.

Transport: UN Number and ADR Classification

UN Number
1170
ADR Class
3
Packing Group
II
Tunnel Code
D/E

Ethanol is transported under UN 1170. ADR class 3 with packing group II means: medium hazard.

Typical Applications

  • Disinfection: At 70-80%, one of the most effective disinfectants.
  • Solvent: Pharmaceutical industry, tinctures, extracts.
  • Cosmetics: Perfumes, deodorants, skincare.
  • Laboratory: Standard reagent and cleaning agent.

Complete Safety Data

All CAS data, GHS classification, ADR transport data on our ethanol fact sheet.

Open Ethanol Fact Sheet →

Sources