Close
Ethers
Ethers are a class of organic compounds that contain an ether group and are flammable.
鲍蝉别蝉鈥�
Ethers are听most commonly used听as anaesthetic and solvents鈥�.
Recommended Control Measures鈥�
Avoiding an explosive atmosphere.听As the lower explosive limit is 1.9%, even working within a fume听cupboard cannot guarantee that an explosive atmosphere cannot be created. Therefore additional听precautions need to be taken鈥�.
- If听possible听the fume cupboard or work area should be designed for working with an explosive atmosphere听(electrical appliances to be rated under ATEX)鈥�.
- The work area to be cleared of all heat sources, no hot plate, water baths, including personal equipment听such as phones and chargers.鈥�
- Part of the risk assessment will be to听agree听with the person in charge of the lab and other lab users the听amount of ether that can be stored, used or produced in the area. This听has to听be approved by the听Head of Department.鈥�
- Ethers will form unstable peroxides over time (commercially supplied diethyl ether has additives to inhibit听this). The risk assessment must propose a procedure for monitoring all stored ethers听for the production of听peroxides and steps put in place to inhibit the production and to manage disposal if the formation is detected.听听鈥�
Health Surveillance听鈥�
Diethyl ether is classed as having adequate warning properties and has been assigned a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) of:听
- 100ppm听Long-Term-Exposure Limit (8hr TWA reference period)
- 200ppm听Short-Term-Exposure Limit (15 minute听reference period)
There must be a system in place to ensure the WELs are听not reached or exceeded.
Chemical safety library
> Read more about control measures for chemicals in our chemical safety library听
Interesting fact
On听1st听June 1958听a railroad tanker containing听nitromethane exploded, the cause was听thought to be due to adiabatic pressure (air听bubbles compressing and superheating due to a听rise in pressure) 鈥� This risk is common to all听liquid explosives.
Last updated: Monday, June 7, 2021
