Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-20 (CAS No.: 61791-12-6) is a nonionic surfactant with relatively high overall safety. Its acute toxicity is very low (rat oral LD50 > 2000 mg/kg), it is not classified as a dangerous chemical, and it is non-flammable and non-explosive. However, this does not mean that safe operation can be ignored—the product has slight irritancy to skin and eyes, and repeated or prolonged exposure may cause skin defatting and dryness. Therefore, standardized operating procedures must still be followed in industrial use.
Under normal use conditions, EL-20 does not release harmful gases. However, if exposed to open flames or high temperatures, the product may decompose and produce irritating fumes such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, so it should be kept away from heat sources and open flames. Additionally, the product may have slight adverse effects on aquatic organisms; in case of a spill, prevent it from entering sewers or water sources.
| Protection Area | Protection Requirement | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory System | Generally no special protection required | If aerosols or dust are generated, it is recommended to wear a particulate respirator |
| Hands | Wear chemical protective gloves | Nitrile or chloroprene rubber gloves recommended |
| Eyes | Wear chemical safety goggles | To prevent liquid splashes into eyes |
| Body | Wear conventional work clothing | Avoid prolonged skin contact |
| Accident Type | Handling Method |
|---|---|
| Skin Contact | Immediately remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with plenty of water and soap for at least 15 minutes. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. |
| Eye Contact | Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water or saline solution, keeping eyelids open, for at least 15 minutes. If irritation or pain persists, seek immediate medical attention. |
| Inhalation | Move person to fresh air. If discomfort occurs, seek medical attention. |
| Ingestion | Do NOT induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water and then seek immediate medical attention. |
| Spill Handling | Absorb spilled liquid with inert absorbent material (e.g., sand, vermiculite), collect into a sealed container and dispose of in accordance with local regulations. Flush residual area with plenty of water. Prevent spill from entering sewers, water sources, or low-lying areas. |
| Fire | This product is not flammable, but may decompose to produce irritating fumes such as carbon monoxide in a fire. Firefighters must wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing. Select appropriate extinguishing media based on the surrounding fire (water fog, foam, dry powder, carbon dioxide). |
In applications such as textile dyeing and printing, pesticide emulsification, cosmetics, and metalworking fluids, EL-20 is typically used in small proportions in formulations, and under normal operating conditions the safety risk is controllable. However, attention is needed: during heating operations (e.g., high-temperature emulsification processes), ventilation should be enhanced to prevent vapor accumulation; during bulk feeding or dispensing operations, it is recommended to wear goggles and protective gloves to avoid splash contact. If used in cosmetic formulations, the final product must comply with relevant cosmetic safety standards to ensure that skin irritation is within acceptable limits.
The above safety information is compiled based on product data provided by Haian Guoli Chemical Co., Ltd. and existing knowledge, and serves only as a guide for safe operation, not as a guarantee of product performance. Users should develop and implement appropriate safety operating procedures according to specific working conditions and local regulations. In the event of severe contact or accidental ingestion, seek immediate medical attention and present the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).