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DIMETHYL TEREPHTHALATE

6.1 - Poison
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The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 120-61-6
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Poison
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
1
1 0
Blue Health 1 Can cause significant irritation.
Red Flammability 1 Must be preheated before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
White solid or heated colorless liquid. Has no odor. Liquid solidifies in cool water. Solid and liquid sink in water. (USCG, 1999)

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
When mixed with air, the vapor or dust forms very hazardous and highly reactive mixtures. (NTP, 1992). Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
This chemical is combustible. (NTP, 1992)
Health Hazard
Molten DMT will cause severe burns of skin on contact. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
DIMETHYL TEREPHTHALATE is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides. Can generate electrostatic charges. [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 250]. This compound is sensitive to heat. The molten material reacts with water due to the temperature. This compound is incompatible with strong oxidizers, strong acids and strong bases.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Fire Extinguishing Agents: Water, dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide (USCG, 1999)
Non-Fire Response
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then dampen the solid spill material with toluene, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with toluene to pick up any remaining material. Your contaminated clothing and absorbent paper should be sealed in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent-wash all contaminated surfaces with toluene followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

STORAGE PRECAUTIONS: You should store this material under ambient temperatures and keep it away from oxidizers. (NTP, 1992)
Protective Clothing
Molten DMT: goggles, face shield, gauntlets, and protective clothing. Solid: dust mask, goggles. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • C10H10O4
Flash Point: 308°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 33 g/m3 (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: 1058°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: 284 to 288°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 16 mmHg at 212°F ; 140 mmHg at 302°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 6.7 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.2 at 68°F 1.08 at 145°C (liquid) (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 572°F at 760 mmHg (sublimes) (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 194.19 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 55°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

No PAC information available.

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

No regulatory information available.

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • 1,4-BENZENEDICARBOXYLIC ACID, DIMETHYL ESTER
  • DIMETHYL 1,4-BENZENEDICARBOXYLATE
  • DIMETHYL ESTER OF 1,4-BENZENEDICARBOXYLIC ACID
  • DIMETHYL P-BENZENEDICARBOXYLATE
  • DIMETHYL P-PHTHALATE
  • DIMETHYL TEREPHTHALATE
  • DIMETHYLTEREPHTHALATE
  • DMT
  • METHYL 4-(CARBOMETHOXY)BENZOATE
  • METHYL 4-CARBOMETHOXYBENZOATE
  • METHYL P-(METHOXYCARBONYL)BENZOATE
  • NCI-C50055
  • TEREPHTHALIC ACID METHYL ESTER
  • TEREPHTHALIC ACID, DIMETHYL ESTER

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