Product Name: Vinyl Acetate Monomer
Chemical Formula: C4H6O2
Synonyms: Acetic acid ethenyl ester, VAM
CAS Number: 108-05-4
Recommended Use: Raw material in production of polyvinyl acetate, adhesives, paints, textiles
Supplier Details: Typically listed with manufacturer’s address and emergency contact number
Emergency Contact: Chemtrec usually provides a toll-free hotline for chemical emergencies related to spillage, leaks, or poisoning
Hazard Classification: Flammable liquid, Category 2; Acute toxicity, inhalation; Skin and eye irritation
Label Elements: Signal word: Danger; Pictograms indicate flame and exclamation mark
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable; Harmful if inhaled; Causes skin and serious eye irritation; May cause respiratory issues
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat and ignition sources; Wear eye/face protection; Avoid breathing vapors or mist
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact
Possible Health Effects: Central nervous system depression, irritation of eyes and respiratory tract, skin dermatitis on prolonged exposure
Component: Vinyl Acetate Monomer
Concentration: 99% or greater, depending on industrial grade
Impurities: Traces of acetic acid, water, polymerization inhibitors (e.g., hydroquinone)
Additives: Small amounts of stabilizers to reduce polymerization risk in transport and storage
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical advice if symptoms such as dizziness, headache, or respiratory distress show up
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water; seek medical attention if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing and get medical help
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical attention
Notes for Doctors: Treat symptomatically; watch for delayed pulmonary edema or respiratory complications
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Alcohol resistant foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jet may spread flammable liquid
Specific Hazards: Produces toxic and irritating gases such as carbon monoxide and acetic acid under fire conditions
Special Equipment: Firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Further Guidance: Evacuate area; cool exposed containers with water spray to prevent rupture
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ventilate area, wear protective gloves, splash goggles, chemically resistant clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, sewers, and waterways; alert local authorities if significant spillage occurs
Cleanup Methods: Absorb with inert material such as sand or clay; collect in closed, labeled containers for disposal; ventilate area to disperse vapors
Safe Handling Practices: Ground all containers for transfer; use equipment designed for flammable liquids; avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; ensure good ventilation
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly closed, properly labeled containers, away from heat sources and direct sunlight; use in areas with vapor-proof electrical fixtures; keep away from oxidizing agents, acids, and bases
Packaging Materials: Steel drums with polymerization inhibitor lining, or approved plastic containers
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 10 ppm (35 mg/m³); ACGIH TLV: 10 ppm TWA
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation; explosion-proof electrical equipment
Personal Protection: Chemical splash goggles, impervious gloves (nitrile recommended), flame retardant protective clothing, face shield for large volumes
Respiratory Protection: Approved respirators when vapor concentrations exceed permitted levels
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before breaks and after handling; avoid eating or drinking in work area
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Sweet, sharp, acetone-like
Odor Threshold: 0.1 - 0.4 ppm (detectable by most people at low concentrations)
pH: Not applicable (non-aqueous)
Melting Point: -93°C
Boiling Point: 72°C
Flash Point: -8°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Faster than water
Flammability: High (vapors may form explosive mixtures with air)
Upper/Lower Flammability Limits: 21% / 2.6% (by volume in air)
Vapor Pressure: 110 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 2.0 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 0.934 g/cm³
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water; soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): 0.73
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 426°C
Decomposition Temperature: Not well specified
Viscosity: Low (approximately 0.35 mPa·s at 20°C)
Chemical Stability: Stable in presence of polymerization inhibitor
Reactivity: May polymerize violently under heat, light, or contamination with peroxides, acids, or alkalis
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sparks, open flames, direct sunlight, static electricity
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, alkalis, peroxides, metal powders
Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acetic acid
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) 2920 mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 (rat, 4 hr) 11.4 mg/L
Chronic Toxicity: Prolonged exposure may cause nose and throat irritation, bronchitis, and potential liver or kidney effects
Sensitization: Some risk of skin or respiratory sensitization on repeated exposure
Carcinogenicity: IARC: Possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B); ACGIH: Not classifiable as a human carcinogen
Mutagenicity & Reproductive Toxicity: No strong evidence of genetic harm or reproductive effects in standard studies
Other Information: May worsen symptoms in individuals with preexisting lung, eye, or skin conditions
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic life at high concentrations; LC50 (fish, 96 h): 20-50 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Moderate biodegradability; volatilizes from water surface
Bioaccumulation: Low log Kow suggests limited potential for bioaccumulation
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to low adsorption to soil particles
Other Adverse Effects: Volatile organic compound (VOC); contributes to photochemical smog and ozone formation
Waste Treatment Methods: Incinerate at approved facilities under controlled conditions
Contaminated Packaging: Clean thoroughly before recycling or disposal or consult licensed chemical waste contractor
Regulatory Considerations: Handle as hazardous waste in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements; RCRA code U240
Special Precautions: Avoid disposal in landfill or regular sewer system due to flammability and water contamination risk
UN Number: UN1301
Proper Shipping Name: Vinyl Acetate, Stabilized
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: II
Labels: Flammable liquid label required
Marine Pollutant: Not typically classified as marine pollutant
Special Transport Notes: Use correct, approved containers; always ship with polymerization inhibitor
OSHA: Hazardous chemical, listed in Standard 1910.1200
EPCRA Sections 302/304/313: Listed substance; subject to reporting requirements
SARA Title III: Subject to community right-to-know provisions
TSCA: Listed in the inventory
California Proposition 65: Listed as a chemical known to cause cancer
Other International: Included in inventories for EINECS (Europe), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia), with similar control standards
