OP-30 octylphenol ethoxylate is a nonionic surfactant. According to GHS classification criteria, its core hazards include: acute toxicity (oral) Category 4, skin corrosion/irritation Category 2, serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2A, and hazardous to the aquatic environment - acute hazard Category 3. The corresponding hazard statements are H302 Harmful if swallowed, H315 Causes skin irritation, H319 Causes serious eye irritation, H402 Harmful to aquatic organisms. This means that no operation step should be taken lightly; it must be treated as a chemical requiring controlled management.
In actual operation, personal protection is the first line of defense for safe use. Hands must be protected with certified chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile rubber gloves) and their integrity should be checked regularly; eyes/face need chemical splash goggles or safety face shields to prevent splash injuries; the body should wear appropriate protective clothing to avoid direct skin contact. When workplace ventilation is insufficient, suitable respiratory protection equipment should also be worn. Additionally, eating, drinking, or smoking is prohibited during operation. Hands must be thoroughly washed after operation, and contaminated clothing must be washed before reuse.
Environmental protection is equally important. Since OP-30 is harmful to aquatic organisms, it is strictly forbidden to discharge leaked material into sewers, surface water, or groundwater systems. In case of leakage, immediately cover and contain with inert absorbent materials (such as sand, diatomaceous earth, or universal absorbent), then collect the absorbed waste into a sealed and labeled waste container, and rinse the spill area with plenty of water. If environmental pollution has occurred, immediately notify the local environmental protection department.
| Safety aspect | Specific requirements |
|---|---|
| GHS hazards | H302 (Harmful if swallowed), H315 (Skin irritation), H319 (Serious eye irritation), H402 (Harmful to aquatic organisms) |
| Respiratory protection | Wear suitable respiratory protection when ventilation is insufficient |
| Hand protection | Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile recommended), check integrity regularly |
| Eye/face protection | Chemical splash goggles or safety face shield |
| Body protection | Wear appropriate protective clothing to avoid skin contact |
| Engineering controls | Good general ventilation or local exhaust, keep operations as closed as possible during transfer/sampling |
| Storage conditions | Cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from heat sources and direct sunlight, keep container tightly closed |
| Spill handling | Contain with inert absorbent material, do not discharge into water bodies, seal and dispose after collection |
Skin contact: Immediately remove all contaminated clothing, rinse skin thoroughly with plenty of running water and soap for at least 15 minutes. If irritation persists, seek medical attention immediately.
Eye contact: Immediately separate eyelids and rinse continuously with plenty of running water or saline for at least 15 minutes, ensuring the liquid flows across the eye surface. Call for medical help or go to a hospital immediately.
Inhalation: Move the person to fresh air and keep breathing unobstructed. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen immediately. If breathing stops, perform artificial respiration immediately and call for medical help.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water immediately, do NOT induce vomiting. If the person is conscious, give a small amount of water to drink. Call for medical help or poison control center immediately, and show this safety information or label to the doctor.
Firefighting: Use dry powder, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, or water spray for firefighting, but avoid using direct water jets on molten or burning material. Firefighters must wear self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus and full chemical protective clothing, and extinguish fire from a safe distance upwind.