Chemical Hygiene Plan - Queensborough Community College ...

APPENDIX M: HAZARDS OF FUNCTIONAL GROUPS
The following information gives a basic overview of the hazards of functional groups.
This information is not meant to replace material safety data sheets for the specific
chemical(s) used in your experiments. While these functional groups are listed
alphabetically for convenience, chemicals should be segregated and stored by hazard
classes – see the EHS Segregation Scheme for more information.
ALCOHOLS
• The lower aliphatic alcohols are low to moderately toxic and usually have low
vapor pressures, therefore inhalation toxicity is low.
• Vapors may be an irritant to the eyes and mucous membranes.
• Ingestion and absorption of the liquids through the skin can be a major health
hazard.
• Lower alcohols containing double or triple bonds exhibit a greater degree of
toxicity and irritation.
• Fatty alcohols (derived from oils, fats, and waxes) are almost nontoxic.
• Lower alcohols are flammable or combustible liquids.
• Flammability decreases with an increase in the carbon number.
• Solubility of alcohols decrease with increase in carbon chain length.
• Toxicity tends to decrease with an increase in carbon number.
Examples: Allyl alcohol
1-Butanol
Cyclohexanol
1,2-Ethanediol
Ethanol
Methanol
1-Propanol
2-Propyn 1-ol
ALDEHYDES
• Aldehydes are intermediate products in the conversion of primary alcohols to
carboxylic acids or vice versa.
• The low molecular weight aldehydes are more toxic than the higher ones.
• Toxicity decreases with increase in the carbon chain length.
• Aromatic aldehydes are less toxic than low molecular weight aliphatic aldehydes.
• Low molecular weight aldehydes are highly flammable, with flammability
decreasing with increasing carbon chain length.
• Low aromatic aldehydes are combustible or nonflammable liquids.
Examples: Acetaldehyde
Acrolein
Glutaraldehyde
1-Hexanal
190