Ethers

Ethers are a class of organic compounds that contain an ether group and are flammable.

Uses​

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Ethers are most commonly used as anaesthetic and solvents​.

Recommended Control Measures​

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Avoiding an explosive atmosphere. As the lower explosive limit is 1.9%, even working within a fume cupboard cannot guarantee that an explosive atmosphere cannot be created. Therefore additional precautions need to be taken​.

• If possible the fume cupboard or work area should be designed for working with an explosive atmosphere (electrical appliances to be rated under ATEX)​.
• The work area to be cleared of all heat sources, no hot plate, water baths, including personal equipment such as phones and chargers.​
• Part of the risk assessment will be to agree with the person in charge of the lab and other lab users the amount of ether that can be stored, used or produced in the area. This has to be approved by the Head of Department.​
• Ethers will form unstable peroxides over time (commercially supplied diethyl ether has additives to inhibit this). The risk assessment must propose a procedure for monitoring all stored ethers for the production of peroxides and steps put in place to inhibit the production and to manage disposal if the formation is detected.  ​

Health Surveillance ​

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Diethyl ether is classed as having adequate warning properties and has been assigned a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) of: 

• 100ppm Long-Term-Exposure Limit (8hr TWA reference period)
• 200ppm Short-Term-Exposure Limit (15 minute reference period)

There must be a system in place to ensure the WELs are not reached or exceeded.

Chemical safety library

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> Read more about control measures for chemicals in our chemical safety library