Substance fact sheet
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) provides information on the types and amounts of pollutants being emitted in the Australian community.
This page provides facts about ethyl acetate. It describes how you might be exposed to this substance, how exposure might effect you and the environment, common uses, comparative data about ethyl acetate and its physical and chemical properties.
For more information about some of the terms used in this page, see the NPI glossary.
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of ethyl acetate emissions in Australia.
Short-term exposure to high levels of ethyl acetate results first in irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, followed by headache, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and unconsciousness. Very high concentrations may cause a stupor. Prolonged exposures may cause clouding of the eye, damage to the lungs and heart and kidney and liver problems.
Ethyl acetate will enter the body if we breathe in contaminated air, or eat or drink contaminated materials. Ethyl acetate can pass through the skin.
Workers in the industries that use or produce ethyl acetate are at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to ethyl acetate by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using ethyl acetate. Consumers may also be exposed to ethyl acetate when using consumer products containing ethyl acetate (thinners for paint lacquers and enamels, nail preparations, etc) especially if there is not good ventilation, and by drinking wine.
See Sources for more information.
According to Worksafe Australia: For ethyl acetate, it is allowable for workers to be exposed to concentrations of 200 parts per million over an eight hour workshift.
The Australian NOHSC National Exposure Standards Database link is probably the most useful source of information.
Note that the emissions data in the NPI database is not directly comparable with these guidelines.
Insufficient data are available to predict the toxicity of ethyl acetate to aquatic life, plants and land animals.
Industrial emissions of ethyl acetate can produce elevated, concentrations in the atmosphere around the source. Ethyl acetate that makes its way into the ground, and does not evaporate, will eventually end up in the ground water.
Ethyl acetate evaporates to a gas if released as a liquid. Ethyl acetate is a volatile organic chemical (VOC) and will contribute to the formation of smog.
No national guidelines.
Ethyl acetate is used as a solvent for varnishes, lacquers, dry cleaning, stains, fats and nitrocellulose. It is released during the production of artificial silk and leather, and during the preparation of photographic films and plates. It is released during the manufacture of linoleum, and ‘plastic’ wood, dyes, pharmaceuticals, drug intermediates, acetic acid, artificial fruit flavorings and essences, and perfumes and fragrances. Ethyl acetate is used as a solvent in nail polish, nail polish remover, base coats and other manicuring products. Ethyl acetate is present in wines.
The primary sources of ethyl acetate are the industries that manufacture it or use it in production. Some of the industries that manufacture it or use it in production are the chemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, manufacturers of paints, varnishes and lacquers. These emissions mainly are to the air.
Other possible emitters of ethyl acetate are vapours and spilling of commercial and household, varnish and lacquer and their removal, preparation of films and film plates, manufacture of artificial leather and silk, and consumer products containing ethyl acetate. These emissions are to the air unless there is a spill.
Natural sources of ethyl acetate are wines and naturally fermented products.
No mobile sources.
Some of the consumer products containing ethyl acetate are automotive and machinery paints, inks, lubricating oils, moisturising creams, nail polish, enamels and removers, paint thinners, premoistened towelettes, resin and rubber adhesives, and artificial flavourings. It is also found in wines.
Approximately 400 substances were considered for inclusion on the NPI reporting list. A ranking and total hazard score was given based on health and environmental hazards and human and environmental exposure to the substance.
Ethyl acetate was ranked as 62 out of 400. The total hazard score taking into account both human health and environmental criteria is 1.7.
On a health hazard rating of 0 - 3 ethyl acetate registers 0.7. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to health, 2 represents a medium hazard and 1 is harmful to health.
On an environmental rating of 0 - 3 ethyl acetate registers 1.0. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to the environment and 0 a negligible hazard.
Factors taken into account to obtain this ranking and these scores include the extent of the material's toxic or poisonous nature and/or its lack of toxicity, and the measure of its ability to remain active in the environment and whether it accumulates in living organisms. It does not take into account exposure to the substance. Environmental exposure is reflected in the NPI rank for this substance (see comparative data below). A substance that scores highly as an environmental hazard is oxides of nitrogen at 3.0 and one of the lower scores is carbon monoxide at 0.8. A substance that scores highly as a health hazard is arsenic at 2.3 and one of the lowest scores is ammonia at 1.0.
| Substance name | Ethyl acetate |
| CASR number | 141-78-6 |
| Molecular formula | C4H8O2 |
| Synonyms | Ethyl acetic ester; acetoxyethane; Acetic ether; vinegar naphtha; acetidin; Aceticester |
| Physical properties: Ethyl acetate is a colourless liquid with a pleasant fruity odour. Melting Point (°C): -83.6 Boiling Point (°C): 77.1 Specific Gravity 0.8945 Vapour Density: 3 |
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| Chemical properties: Ethyl acetate is a flammable liquid, and an explosion hazard. It is slightly soluble in water, but soluble in most organic solvents Flashpoint: (°C) -3 |
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There is more information that may be useful in understanding some of the issues surrounding the NPI.