Hexachloroethane

Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.

Rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible). Refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Refer for medical attention .

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 procedures)

If material involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible.

...Hexachloroethane must be stored to avoid contact with hot iron, zinc, aluminum, and alkalis, since violent reactions occur. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat.

Before being stored or transported over longer periods of time, chlorinated ethanes ... should be carefully analyzed for water, free acid, and stabilizers because decomposition may lead to excessive corrosion. ... Chlorinated ethanes should not be brought into contact with tanks, containers, valves, etc made of aluminum. /Chloroethanes/

1. Ventilate area of spill; 2. Collect spilled material in the most convenient and safe manner for reclamation or for disposal. ... Liquid containing hexachloroethane should be absorbed in vermiculite, dry sand, earth or a similar material.

Evacuate and restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. Remove all ignition sources. Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. Ventilate area after clean-up is complete. It may be necessary to contain and dispose of this chemical as a hazardous waste.

[40 CFR 240-280, 300-306, 702-799 (7/1/2006)] Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number D034 & U131, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number U131, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

A potential candidate for rotary kiln incineration at a temperature range of 820 to 1,600 °C and residence times of seconds for liquids and gases, and hours for solids. A potential candidate for fluidized bed incineration at a temperature range of 450 to 980 °C and residence times of seconds for liquids and gases, and longer for solids.

Chemical Treatability of Hexachloroethane; Concentration Process: Activated carbon; Chemical Classification: Halocarbons; Scale of Study: Batch Flow/Laboratory Scale; Type of Wastewater Used: Pure Compound; Influent Concentration: 100 ppb; Results of Study: 100% removal; 98% desorbed from carbon by elutriation with solvent (Filtrasorb 300 used solvent included pentane-acetone, diethylether, methylene chloride-acteone, methyl chloride-acetone, and acetone).

For more Disposal Methods (Complete) data for HEXACHLOROETHANE (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

If materials not on fire and not involved in fire: Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. Attempt to stop leak if without undue personnel hazard.

Personnel protection: Avoid breathing vapors. If contact with the material anticipated, wear appropriate chemical protective clothing. Avoid breathing fumes from burning material. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water. Avoid bodily contact with the material.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

If the use of respirators is necessary, the only respirators permitted are those that have been approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (formerly Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration) or by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. In addition to respirator selection, a complete respiratory protection program should be instituted which includes regular training, maintenance, inspection, cleaning, and evaluation.

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for HEXACHLOROETHANE (14 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Mean hexachloroethane concentrations as high as 7.30 ug/L were measured in the blood plasma of 12 occupationally exposed individuals involved in the production of military smoke munition(1). Hexachloroethane was listed among halogenated volatile organic chemicals detected in less than 10% of blood samples from 1,000 adults who participated in the Tird national Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) from 1988-1994(2).

Hexachloroethane was detected at a mean concentration of 427 ppt [ng/mL] in 20% of samples of ovarian follicular fluid obtained from 150 Canadian women. It was not detected in serum.

Urinary

[in animals: liver cancer]

Rats were exposed to white smoke generated from mixtures of titanium dioxide-hexachloroethane (TiO2-HC) and zinc hexachloroethane (Zn-HC), respectively, in an inhalation chamber operated in the static mode. The acute inhalation toxicity of TiO2-HC smoke was much lower than the Zn-HC smoke. Thus, the animals survived exposure to TiO2-HC smoke, even at relatively high smoke concentrations. This smoke was irritating to the animals and minor, acute inflammatory changes were seen in lung tissue. In contrast, Zn-HC smoke was very toxic and caused lethal injuries to the experimental animals, even at relatively low concentrations. Pulmonary injuries were extensive and death was due to blood congestion with pulmonary edema. Since the TiO2-HC and Zn-HC mixtures form titanium tetrachloride and zinc chloride, respectively, a separate study was performed in which rats were exposed to zinc chloride gas or zinc chloride aerosol.

Cancer, Dermal (Skin), Hepatic (Liver), Neurological (Nervous System), Renal (Urinary System or Kidneys), Respiratory (From the Nose to the Lungs)

Nervous

Eyes, skin, respiratory system, kidneys

LC50 Eisenia fetida (Earthworm, adult, 300-500 mg) dermal 19 ug/sq cm/48 hr (95% confidence interval: 16-23 ug/sq cm)

LC50 Daphnia magna 2.9 mg/L/48 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/.

LC50 Daphnia magna (Water flea) 8,070 ug/L/96 hr (static, unmeasured bioassay)

LC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water flea, age 0-24 hr neonate); Conditions: freshwater, static, 22.0 °C, pH 8.23 (8.16-8.29), hardness 196 mg/L CaCO3, alkalinity 172 mg/L CaCO3, dissolved oxygen 6.56 mg/L (6.45-6.78 mg/L); Concentration: 1360 ug/L for 48 hr (1040-1790 ug/L) /98% purity/

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for HEXACHLOROETHANE (38 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), Koc values ranging from 1,380 to 2,360(2,3) indicate that hexachloroethane is expected to have low to slight mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of hexachloroethane from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given a Henry's Law constant of 3.89X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(4). Hexachloroethane is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 0.4 mm Hg(5). The biodegradation half-life of hexachloroethane in a non-adapted aerobic sandy soil was reported as 25-48 days(5).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), Koc values ranging from 1,380 to 2,360(2,3), indicate that hexachloroethane is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(4) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 3.89X10-3 atm-cu m/mole at 25 °C(5). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 2 hours and 6 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(6), BCF values ranging from 1.0 to 708(7-10) suggest the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low to high(SRC). Hexachloroethane injected into a shallow sand aquifer was degraded with a half-life of 40 days in 10 °C groundwater under anaerobic conditions(11).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), hexachloroethane, which has a vapor pressure of 0.4 mm Hg at 20 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Hexachloroethane does not contain functional groups that react with atmospheric oxidants such as hydroxyl radicals, nitrate radicals and ozone(3). Hexachloroethane does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by ingestion.

inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ /Fathead minnows, 44 days of age, in 24.7 °C water, in toxicant concentrations of 0.28 to 2.16 mg/L were studied/. Affected fish lost schooling behavior, had increased respiration, and lost equilibrium prior to death. No effect data recorded. Individual lengths and weight of the test fish not recorded; ... Measured mean weight was 0.28 g. The chemical was dissolved using dimethylformamide (DMF) as a solvent carrier. Samples not taken at 96 hr ... . Minimum detection limits were not recorded.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ /Fathead minnows, 32 days of age, in 24.7 °C water, in toxicant concentrations of 0.29 to 3.34 mg/L were studied/. Affected fish lost schooling behavior, had increased respiration, and lost equilibrium prior to death. No effect data recorded. Individual lengths and weight of the test fish not recorded; ... Measured mean weight was 0.13 g. ... Mean recovery was likely >90%. ... Samples not taken at 96 hr ... . Control chamber concentrations were <0.001 mg/L.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ Static acute and renewal chronic tests were conducted with Daphnia magna, Daphnia pulex and Ceriodaphnia reticulata to determine their relative sensitivities to selected organic and inorganic chemicals: 2-chloroethanol, 2,4-pentanedione, pentachlorophenol, hexachloroethane, 2,2,2-trichloroethanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentadiol, endrin, silver, lead, chromium, and cadmium. The three species tested yielded comparable acute EC50 values for Dalphnia magna, Dalphnia pulex and Ceriodaphnia reticulata varied twofold for hexachloroethane. Chronic EC50 values for the three species were within one order to magnitude for 2-chloroethanol, 2,4-pentanedione, cadmium, chromium and silver. Differences in the sensitivities of these three popular cladoceran test species were within one order of magnitude. Reproductive impairment in all three test species appeared to be a more sensitive indicator of chronic toxicity than survival.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ The available freshwater data for chlorinated ethanes indicate that toxicity increases greatly with increasing chlorination, and that acute toxicity occurs at concentrations as low as ... 980 ug/L for hexachloroethane. ... Chronic toxicity occurs at concentrations as low as ... 540 ug/L for hexachloroethane.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ The available saltwater data for chlorinated ethanes indicate that toxicity increases greatly with increasing chlorination and that acute toxicity to fish and invertebrate species occurs at concentrations as low as ... 940 ug/L for hexachloroethane.

Hexachloroethane was detected in bird eggs collected in the Lake Baikal region of Russia from the following bird species, concentration in ug/kg dry weight: Mallard, 150; Pintail, <10; Shoveler, 225; Tufted duck, <10; Pochard, 105.3; Goose, 103.7; Domestic fowl, <10; Heron, 69.1; Herring gull, 73.8; Common gull, 194.4; Common tern, 28.8; Black headed gull, <10; Liapwing, 201.6; Slavonian grebe, 216.7; Marsh sandpiper, <10(1). The mean concentrations of hexachloroethane measured in C. sapidus, F. heteroclitus, M. Undulatus, and B. Patronus samples collected from different locations in the Bayou d'Inde located 6.4 km west of Lake Charles, Louisiana were 0.132-0.281, 2.32-12.2, 0.641-4.29, and 2.92-5.14 mg/kg of lipid, respectively(2).

Cough.

Redness.

irritation eyes, skin, mucous membrane; In Animals: kidney damage; [potential occupational carcinogen]

D034; A waste containing hexachloroethane may or may not be characterized as a hazardous waste following testing by the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure as prescribed by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations.

U131; As stipulated in 40 CFR 261.33, when hexaxhloroethane, as a commercial chemical product or manufacturing chemical intermediate or an off-specification commercial chemical product or a manufacturing chemical intermediate, becomes a waste, it must be managed according to Federal and/or State hazardous waste regulations. Also defined as a hazardous waste is any residue, contaminated soil, water, or other debris resulting from the cleanup of a spill, into water or on dry land, of this waste. Generators of small quantities of this waste may qualify for partial exclusion from hazardous waste regulations (40 CFR 261.5).

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. Hexachloroethane is included on this list. Effective date 4/29/83; Sunset date 1/13/86.

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. Hexachloroethane is produced, as an intermediate or 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. Hexachloroethane 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. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b).

Toxic pollutant designated pursuant to section 307(a)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and is subject to effluent limitations. /Chlorinated ethanes/

The levels of hexachloroethane in ambient water which may result in an incremental cancer risk of 1X10-5, 1X10-6, and 1X10-7 over an individual lifetime are estimated to be 19 ug/l, 1.9 ug/l, and 0.19 ug/l, respectively. On the basis of the consumption of aquatic organisms alone, the corresponding levels in ambient water are estimated to be 87.4 ug/l, 8.74 ug/l, and 0.87 ug/l, respectively.

In the United States, about half of the hexachloroethane is used by the military for smoke-producing devices. Another use of hexachloroethane is in pyrotechnics. It inhibits the explosiveness of methane and the combustion of ammonium perchlorate. Hexachloroethane is used as an anthelmintic (to destroy tapeworms) in sheep and cattle. It is also added to the feed of ruminants to prevent methanogenesis and increase feed efficiency, and it is used as an ingredient in some fungicides and insecticides. Hexachloroethane is used in metal and alloy production. Hexachloroethane has various applications as a polymer additive. It has flameproofing qualities and increases affinity for dyes.

Used by the military to make smoke bombs and by industry to remove air bubbles from molten aluminum; no longer produced in the United States; [ATSDR ToxFAQs] Used in metallurgy for refining aluminum alloys, removing impurities from molten metals, recovering metal from ores or smelting products, and as degassing agent for magnesium, to inhibit explosiveness of methane and combustion of ammonium perchlorate, in pyrotechnics, fire extinguishing fluids, organic synthesis, as ignition suppressant, polymer additive, flame-proofing agent, vulcanizing agent, swelling agent and to increase dye affinity for polymer fibers, laboratory chemical, plasticizer for cellulose esters, insecticide, rubber process solvent, camphor substitute in nitrocellulose, retardant in fermentation, to make synthetic diamonds, and as veterinary anthelmintic (flukicide); [HSDB] Has also been used in fungicide and insecticide formulations, extreme-pressure lubricants, moth repellents, and submarine paints; [NTP]

Aluminum Producing [Category: Industry]

Hexachloroethane is contained in pyrotechnics. It inhibits the explosiveness of methane and the combustion of ammonium perchlorate. Smoke containing hexachloroethane is used to extinguish fires.

Hexachloroethane has various applications as a polymer additive. It has flame proofing qualities, increases sensitivity to radiation crosslinking, and is used as a vulcanizing agent. Added to polymer fibers, it acts as a swelling agent and increases affinity for dyes.

Moth repellant /former use/; fire extinguishing fluids manufacture; laboratory chemical; military smoke candles and grenades; plasticizer for cellulose esters; insecticide and rubber process solvent; camphor substitute in nitrocellulose solvent; retardant in fermentation process

(1978) 7.88X10+8 G

(1982) 5.10X10+8 G

(1984) 6.51X10+8 g

(1986) 4.47X10+6 lb

2023: 75,000 - <500,000 lb

(1977) AT LEAST 9.58X10+8 G

Production volumes for non-confidential chemicals reported under the Inventory Update Rule. [Table#3793]

Hexachloroethane is listed as a High Production Volume (HPV) chemical (65FR81686). Chemicals listed as HPV were produced in or imported into the U.S. in >1 million pounds in 1990 and/or 1994. The HPV list is based on the 1990 Inventory Update Rule. (IUR) (40 CFR part 710 subpart B; 51FR21438).

According to USA distributors, hexachloroethane had three major applications within the United States prior to 1979: 50% used by the military in the production of smoke bombs and other smoke munitions. 30-40% in the manufacture of degassing pellets to be used in aluminum foundries to force air bubbles out of molten ore. 10-20% as an anthelmintic for the control of sheep flukes.

By-product from the chlorination of ethylene and propylene with excess chlorine in vapor phase at 550-650 °C without a catalyst.

In the presence of catalysts, trichloroethylene is readily chlorinated to hexachloroethane.

Ethylene dichloride + chlorine (chlorination; byproduct of trichloroethylene/perchloroethylene production)

Ethane/propane + chlorine (chlorinolysis; byproduct of perchloroethylene/carbon tetrachloride production)

A primary source for hexachloroethane is from the production of tetrachloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride by chlorinolysis of hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbon residues. It can be separated from the residues by distillation and fractionated crystallization. For the intentional production of hexachloroethane, tetrachloroethylene is chlorinated batchwise in the presence of iron chloride. The hexachloroethane crystallizes from the mother liquor and is isolated. The mother liquor is recycled and again chlorinated.

Purity: 98.0% minimum

Smoke mixture with US Army designation HC, type C is composed of ca 6.7 wt% grained aluminum, 46.7 wt% zinc oxide, and 46.7 wt% hexachloroethane.

All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing

Ethane, 1,1,1,2,2,2-hexachloro-: ACTIVE

Industrial uses of hexachloroethane are diminishing, so that most hexachloroethane is either recycled or incinerated with HCl - or chlorine recovery depending on the individual technology applied. ... Hexachloroethane is one of the more toxic chloroethanes. Its use in plasticizer or rubber formulations is, therefore, decreasing..