Chloroethane

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)

Flammable agents - 4th degree

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)

log Kow= 1.43

1.54

Ethereal odor

Pungent

... Pungent, ether-like odor ...

0.906 at 53.96 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float

0.9214 @ 0 °C/4 °C

Saturated vapor density= 0.25180 lb/cu ft @ 75 °C

Relative density (water = 1): 0.918

0.92 (liquid at 32 °F)

0.9239 @ 0°C

COLORLESS LIQUID

Colorless gas or liquid (below 54 degrees F) ... [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas].

0.574 g/100 mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992)

0.574 g/100 ml in water @ 20 °C

48.3 g/100 ml in alc

0.447 g/100 g water at 0 °C

Solubility: 0.07 g water/100 g ethyl chloride at 0 °C; 103 g acetone/100 g ethyl chloride at 25 °C; 110 g benzene/100 g ethyl chloride at 25 °C; 87 g n-heptane/100 g ethyl chloride at 25 °C; 48 g ethanol/100 g ethyl chloride at 21 °C; 37 g methanol/100 g ethyl chloride at 25 °C; 0.6 G water/100 g ethyl chloride at 20 °C

For more Solubility (Complete) data for ETHYL CHLORIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Reacts with water or steam to produce corrosive fumes.

Liquid ethyl chloride will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings.

Danger

H220: Extremely flammable gas [Danger Flammable gases]

P203, P210, P222, P273, P280, P318, P377, P381, P403, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Danger

H220 (99.8%): Extremely flammable gas [Danger Flammable gases]

P203, P210, P220, P222, P244, P260, P264, P273, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P318, P321, P363, P370+P376, P377, P381, P403, P405, P410+P403, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Chemical: Ethane, chloro-

Hazard Traits - Carcinogenicity; Developmental Toxicity; Environmental tox; Hematotoxicity; Neurotoxicity

Ethane, chloro- is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Ethane, chloro- are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Status: Active Update: 13-03-2023 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/14127

Chloroethane: HSNO Approval: HSR000999 Approved with controls

The New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act requires public and private employers to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1 et. seq.)

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic and irritating gases are generated in fires.

· EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE.

Extremely flammable. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire. Gas/air mixtures are explosive.

FLAMMABLE GAS AT ORDINARY TEMP AND PRESSURE.

HIGHLY DANGEROUS, WHEN EXPOSED TO HEAT OR FLAME.

Vapor causes drunkenness, anesthesia, possible lung injury. Liquid may cause frostbite on eyes and skin. (USCG, 1999)

· Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning, especially when in closed or confined areas.

Chloroethane is a colorless gas at room temperature and pressure. It has a characteristically sharp smell. It is a liquid when stored in pressurized containers; however, the liquid evaporates quickly when exposed to room air. Chloroethane catches fire easily. It was used in leaded gasoline, but strict new government regulations have reduced that use dramatically. It is used in the production of cellulose, dyes, medicinal drugs, and other commercial products, and as a solvent and refrigerant. It is also used to numb the skin before medical procedures such as ear piercing and skin biopsies and as a treatment in sports injuries.

Exposure to ethyl chloride may occur from the use of consumer products containing it. The acute (short- term) effects of ethyl chloride from inhalation exposure in humans consists of temporary feelings of drunkenness, and higher levels cause lack of muscle coordination and unconsciousness. The chronic (long-term) health effects resulting from exposure to air containing low levels of ethyl chloride in humans is not known. Some animal studies indicate effects on the lungs, liver, kidneys, and heart due to exposure to ethyl chloride via inhalation. No studies were located regarding carcinogenic effects following ethyl chloride inhalation exposure in humans. A study by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) indicated that inhaled ethyl chloride is carcinogenic in female mice and may be carcinogenic in rats. EPA has not classified ethyl chloride for carcinogenicity.

Liver injury has been documented in studies of experimental animals. [ACGIH] Ethyl chloride is in the list of Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers. [Reference #1]

1037 115

1037 115

TSCA CHIPs present a preliminary assessment of ethyl chloride's potential for injury to human health & the environment (available at EPA's TSCA Assistance Office: (202) 554-1404.

USEPA; Ambient Water Quality Criteria Doc: Chlorinated Ethanes (1980) EPA 440/5-80-0269.

DHHS/ATSDR; Toxicological Profile for Chloroethane (1989) ATSDR/TP-89/07

USEPA; Summary Review of Health Effects Associated with Monochloroethane Health Issue Assessment. (1988) NTIS PB 88-236047

DHHS/NTP; Toxicology & Carcinogenesis Studies of Chloroethane in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies) Technical Report Series No. 346 (1989) NIH Publication No. 90-2801

Excerpt from ERG Guide 115 [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

Shut off supply; if not possible and no risk to surroundings, let the fire burn itself out. In other cases extinguish with powder, carbon dioxide. In case of fire: keep cylinder cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

ON FROSTBITE: rinse with plenty of water, do NOT remove clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention .

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

General First Aid:

(General first aid procedures)

Water fog, carbon dioxide, dry chemical. For large fire it is best to allow material to burn while cooling surrounding equipment. Stop flow of ethyl chloride.

If material on fire or involved in fire: Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be confined. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Solid streams of water may spread fire. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Use foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

If fire becomes uncontrollable or container is exposed to direct flame - consider evacuation of one-third (1/3) mile radius.

MATERIALS WHICH ARE TOXIC AS STORED OR WHICH CAN DECOMPOSE INTO TOXIC COMPONENTS ... SHOULD BE STORED IN A COOL WELL VENTILATED PLACE, OUT OF THE DIRECT RAYS OF THE SUN, AWAY FROM AREAS OF HIGH FIRE HAZARD, AND SHOULD BE PERIODICALLY INSPECTED. INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS SHOULD BE ISOLATED ...

ETHYL CHLORIDE SHOULD BE ... STORED IN TIGHT CONTAINERS, PREFERABLY HERMETICALLY SEALED ... .

Protect containers against physical damage. Outdoor or detached storage is preferred. For indoor storage, store in a standard flammable liquid storage room. Keep away from ignitable materials or oxidizing agents. Remove any sources of ignition, spark or heat.

Storage temp: ambient

Waste water treatment: evaporation from water at 25 °C of 1 ppm solution (still air, avg depth 6.5 cm), 50% after 21 min, 90% after 79 min

/SRP: For laboratory spills:/ Absorb the spills with paper towels or the like materials. Place in hood to evaporate.

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

Ethyl chloride is a waste chemical stream constituent which may be subjected to ultimate disposal by controlled incineration. Incineration of ethyl chloride, preferably after mixing with another combustible fuel. Care must be exercised to assure complete combustion to prevent the formation of phosgene. An acid scrubber is necessary to remove the halo acids produced.

Ethyl chloride boils @ 12 °C, therefore it is commonly a gas at ambient temp, and will be in pressurized cylinders. Thermal destruction methods may be difficult to apply unless a gas feed to the incinerator can be arranged. (Peer-review conclusions of an IRPTC expert consultation (May 1985))

If the exposure occurred through inhalation, move patient to fresh air. Monitor for respiratory distress. If cough or difficulty breathing develops, evaluate for respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, or pneumonitis. Administer oxygen and assist ventilation as required. Treat bronchospasm with inhaled beta2 agonist and oral or parenteral corticosteroids. In case of seizures, administer a benzodiazepine IV, diazepam or lorazepam; consider phenobarbital or propofol if seizures recur after diazepam. Monitor for hypotension, dysrhythmias, respiratory depression, and need for endotracheal intubation. Evaluate for hypoglycemia, electrolyte disturbances, hypoxia. Irrigate exposed eyes with copious amounts of room temperature water for at least 15 minutes if the exposure occurred through eye contact. Following dermal exposure, remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed area thoroughly with soap and water. Treat dermal irritation or burns with standard topical therapy; patients developing dermal hypersensitivity reactions may require treatment with systemic or topical corticosteroids or antihistamines. (T36)

Developmental (effects during periods when organs are developing) , Gastrointestinal (Stomach and Intestines, part of the digestive system), Neurological (Nervous System), Renal (Urinary System or Kidneys), Reproductive (Producing Children)

Developmental

Liver, kidneys, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, central nervous system

Chloroethane poisoning may cause liver and kidney damage. Decreased defensive responses against illness, neurological effects following inhalation, effects on the nervous system, and cardiac depression can result from the exposure to this toxin. Moreover, respiratory paralysis and toxic injury to the heart have been reported following anesthesia with chloroethane. (L935)

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 24(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that ethyl chloride is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of ethyl chloride from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given a Henry's Law constant of 1.11X10-2 atm-cu m/mole(3). Volatilization of ethyl chloride from dry soil surfaces is expected(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 1.01X10+3 mm Hg(4).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 24(SRC), determined from an estimation method(2), indicates that ethyl chloride is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 1.1X10-2 atm-cu m/mole(4). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 0.9 hours and 3.2 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 2.5(SRC), from its log Kow of 1.43(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low.

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), ethyl chloride, which has a vapor pressure of 1.01X10+3 mm Hg at 20 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a gas in the ambient atmosphere. Gas-phase ethyl chloride is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 39 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 4.11X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.

inhalation, skin absorption (liquid), ingestion (liquid), skin and/or eye contact

Inhalation (L935) ; dermal (L935) ; eye contact (L935) ; oral (L935)

Chloroethane targets the central nervous system and the heart. The lipophilicity of chloroethane suggests it acts upon the lipid layer of cellular membrane or the hydrophobic areas of specific membrane-bound cellular proteins. Euphoria and excitement resulting from the effects of chloroethane on the central nervous system induice catecholamine release. At levels adequate to induce anesthesia, chloroethane sensitizes the heart to the effects of catecholamines. This sensitization, along with asphyxia and hypoxia, can cause arrhythmias, and death. (L935)

Pursuant to section 8(d) of TSCA, EPA promulgated a model Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule. The section 8(d) model rule requires manufacturers, importers, and processors of listed chemical substances and mixtures to submit to EPA copies and lists of unpublished health and safety studies. Ethane, chloro- is included on this list.

This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. Ethyl chloride is produced, as an intermediate or a final product, by process units covered under this subpart.

Listed as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) generally known or suspected to cause serious health problems. The Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990, directs EPA to set standards requiring major sources to sharply reduce routine emissions of toxic pollutants. EPA is required to establish and phase in specific performance based standards for all air emission sources that emit one or more of the listed pollutants. Ethyl chloride is included on this list.

Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 100 lb or 45.4 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802; In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (202) 426-2675. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b).

Ethyl chloride

1

10000

Flammable chemical that can be released at a facility.

(FL) FLORIDA 12 ug/l

(WI) WISCONSIN 400 ug/l

N - Nervous system

QN - Nervous system

... Ethyl chloride is not metabolized to a significant degree.

... Dechlorination of a number of chloroethanes ... /was evaluated/ using hepatic microsome preparations from rats. ... For monochloroethane, enzymatic losses of chlorine amounted to less than 0.5 percent of the initial amount of radiolabel used. However, ... some dechlorination (not quantified) occurred in the absence of NADP, suggesting an alternate pathway of metabolism or a nonenzymatic breakdown of the compound.

Because chloroethane is a small lipophilic compound, simple diffusion accounts for its absorption across membranes, and its higher affinity for lipids determines its distribution. Metabolism of chloroethane is believed to occur exclusively in the liver. The two major pathways are the production of acetaldehyde by cytochrome P450, and conjugation of chloroethane with glutathione to form S-ethyl-glutathione (catalyzed by glutathione S-transferase). The P450 enzyme CYP2El is responsible for chloroethane metabolism. The latter reaction is catalyzed by glutathione-S-transferase enzymes. Acetaldehyde is rapidly metabolized to acetic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase. S-ethyl-glutathione can be furhter metabolized to S-ethyl-N-acety-L-cysteine (by γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, cysteinyl glycinase, and N-acetyltransferase, NAT) or S-ethyl-L-cysteine (by γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and cysteinyl glycinase). Chloroethane is eliminated from the body by pulmonary exhalation. (L935)

Drugs that block nerve conduction when applied locally to nerve tissue in appropriate concentrations. They act on any part of the nervous system and on every type of nerve fiber. In contact with a nerve trunk, these anesthetics can cause both sensory and motor paralysis in the innervated area. Their action is completely reversible. (From Gilman AG, et. al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 8th ed) Nearly all local anesthetics act by reducing the tendency of voltage-dependent sodium channels to activate.

IT IS EASILY ABSORBED THROUGH MUCOUS MEMBRANES AND THE LUNG AND THROUGH THE SKIN. ETHYL CHLORIDE IS QUICKLY ELIMINATED FROM THE BODY; MOST OF THIS ELIMINATION OCCURS THROUGH THE LUNG.

The major portion of an inhaled dose is eliminated unchanged in exhaled breath, but minute traces may remain in the blood for some time ... . Some of the compound is also excreted in the urine, feces, and sweat.

Ethyl chloride is used in the production of ethyl cellulose, use as a solvent, refrigerant, and topical anesthetic, in the manufacture of dyes, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, and as a medication to alleviate pain associated with insect burns and stings.

Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, a solvent, an alkylating agent, a propellant in aerosols, and an anesthetic; [ACGIH]

CHEMICAL INTERMEDIATE

Refrigerant, solvent, alkylating agent, starting point in the mfr of tetraethyl lead, topical anesthetic

MEDICATION (VET)

MEDICATION

(1972) NEGLIGIBLE

(1984) 9.13X10+9 g

(1972) NEGLIGIBLE

(1975) 2.23X10+6 GRAMS

2023: 10,000,000 - <50,000,000 lb

(1972) 2.61X10+11 G

(1975) 2.61X10+11 GRAMS

(1984) 1.32X10+11 g

(1988) 1.51X10+8 lbs

Prepared by the action of chlorine on ethylene in the presence of hydrochloric acid and light; by action of chlorine on ethylene in presence of chlorides of copper, iron, antimony, and calcium; by heating alcohol, hydrochloric acid and zinc chloride.

THERMAL CHLORINATION OF ETHANE.

By-product of vinyl chloride production or direct reduction of vinyl chloride; hydrochlorination of ethylene.

Grades: Technical; USP

High purity (99.7%, liquid phase) grade.

Matheson Gas Products 99.7% minimum grade.

CP grade, minimum purity 99.7%.

Wholesale and Retail Trade

Ethane, chloro-: ACTIVE

ETHYL CHLORIDE IS COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE IN METAL TUBES WITH VALVE CLOSURES OR IN GLASS BOTTLES WITH SPRING RELEASE CLOSURES. THESE CONTAINERS HAVE VARIOUS SIZE NOZZLE OPENINGS FOR REGULATION OF SPRAY.

DOW USES MATERIAL CAPTIVELY FOR ETHYL CELLULOSE PRODUCTION AND SELLS MATERIAL; HERCULES MAINTAINS A FACILITY FOR ETHYL CHLORIDE MANUFACTURE.

IN 1982: STAUFFER IDLED ITS LONG BEACH, CA PLANT; ETHYL CORP PLACED ITS BATON ROUGE, LA PLANT ON STANDBY.

THE EPA PHASEDOWN OF ALKYL LEAD COMPOUNDS IN GASOLINE CAUSED A STEADY DECLINE IN THE USE OF ETHYL CHLORIDE.