Chloroethane

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

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.