Sorry, Rudy, must disagree with you. MEA has a distinct odour in hot
water solution. And it is not just I who say so: quoting from Cala and
Winston p. 73, "...A further drawback of these materials [organic amines]
is their volatility. This results in the emission of unpleasant fishy
odours as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with negative
environmental consequences.". Again on pp 277/8, "The presence of a
strong odour should not be ignored because it may indicate unacceptale
levels of MEA or solvent being released in the atmosphere." In my own
book, p 240: "...both ethanolamine and ammonium hydroxide give toxic
vapours and inhalation should be avoided. Fortunately, both are
strong-smelling products and it is reasonably safe to say that if
somebody with a normal olfactory sense can not detect the presence of the
chemiccals on entering the room where they are used, then there is
probably no danger. However, this does not dispense the user from making
Dräger tube measurements...".
The vapour pressure is cited at 0,2 mm Hg and is cited as "COLORLESS
LIQUID WITH AN AMMONIA ODOR" in
http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/M/monoethanolamine . The PEL is 3 ppm and
"INHALATION OF VAPORS MAY CAUSE SEVERE IRRITATION OF THE RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM.", which ain't bad for something that doesn't evaporate.
Again, an Aussie info states "May cause irritation of the respiratory
tract, experienced as nasal discomfort and discharge, with chest pain and
coughing. Prolonged overexposure may cause injury to the respiratory
tract.", also implying that it evaporates.
See also the OSHA data at
http://www.osha-slc.gov/ChemSamp_data/CH_239000.html
Sorry, you're wrong
Brian
.
[log in to unmask] wrote:
> FYI
>
> Monoethanolamine has virtually zero vapor pressure, and is completely
> odorless, when diluted with water.
>
> The Glycol ethers have vapor pressure, and have an odor.
>
> Rudy Sedlak
> RD Chemical Company
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