Chloromethyl Methyl Ether

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)

Other Classes -> Halogenated Ethers

Carcinogens

Irritating odor

Irritating odor.

1.0605 at 68 °F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink

1.0603 @ 20 °C/4 °C

Relative density (water = 1): 1.06

1.06

1.063 @ 10°C

1.06

COLORLESS LIQ

Colorless liquid.

Colorless liquid

Reacts with water (NIOSH, 2024)

MISCIBLE WITH ETHANOL & ETHER & MANY OTHER ORG SOLVENTS

SOL IN ACETONE, CHLOROFORM, ETHYL ETHER, ETHYL ALCOHOL

Soluble in oxygenated solvents

Solubility in water: decomposes

Reacts

32 °F (EPA, 1998)

0 °C

0 °C (open cup).

-8 °C c.c.

32 °F (open cup)

(oc) 32 °F

138 °F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)

59.5 °C

59.00 to 60.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg

59 °C

138 °F

59.5 °C @760 [mm Hg]

Danger

H225: Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]

P203, P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P317, P318, P321, P330, P362+P364, P370+P378, P403+P235, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Danger

H225 (100%): Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]

P203, P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P317, P318, P321, P330, P337+P317, P362+P364, P370+P378, P403+P235, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Chemical: Methane, chloromethoxy-

Hazard Traits - Carcinogenicity; Dermatotoxicity; Ocular Toxicity; Respiratory Toxicity

Methane, chloromethoxy- is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Methane, chloromethoxy- 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)

Chloromethyl methyl ether: HSNO Approval: HSR002938 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.)

Flammable/combustible material; may be ignited by heat, sparks, or flames. Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Container may explode in heat of fire. In addition to the risk of explosion, when air mixtures of ether vapors are heated or exposed to flame or sparks, they tend to form peroxides. Ethers containing peroxides can detonate when heated. Unburned material may form powerful tear gas. When wet, also forms irritating formaldehyde gas. Evolves formaldehyde and hydrogen chloride. When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes of chlorides. Avoid decomposing heat Hazardous polymerization may not occur. (EPA, 1998)

· HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.

Highly flammable. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire. Heating will cause rise in pressure with risk of bursting. Vapour/air mixtures are explosive.

The principal effect is irritation. The liquid causes severe irritation of eyes and skin; and vapor exposure of 100 ppm is severely irritating to eyes and nose. This level is dangerous to life in 4 hours. Pulmonary edema or pneumonia may cause death. There was increased death rate from respiratory cancer among exposed victims and it is a regulated carcinogen. (EPA, 1998)

· TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.

Chloromethyl methyl ether is used in some chemical manufacturing processes. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure causes severe irritation of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and respiratory tract, pulmonary edema, and pneumonia in humans. Chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure may cause chronic bronchitis in humans. Numerous case reports and epidemiological studies have reported increased incidences of respiratory cancer in workers occupationally exposed to chloromethyl methyl ether. Increased incidences of lung tumors have been observed in mice, rats, and hamsters exposed by inhalation. EPA has classified chloromethyl methyl ether as a Group A, known human carcinogen.

Liquid causes second degree burns after contact for a few minutes; [CHRIS] CMME becomes rapidly contaminated with bis-chloromethyl ether, a known human carcinogen; [ACGIH] A lachrymator; [HSDB] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] Bis(chloromethyl) ether and Chloromethyl methyl ether (technical grade) are listed in Table 18-3 as substances that are known human carcinogens (IARC Group 1) after occupational exposure causing lung cancer (oat cell). [Siemiatycki, p. 327]

1239 131

1239 131

Move container from fire area. Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter material. Cool containers that are exposed to flames with water. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety device or any discoloration of tank due to fire. Extinguish with dry chemicals, foam, or carbon dioxide. Water may be ineffective in extinguishing fire. (EPA, 1998)

Use dry powder. Water may be ineffective. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer immediately for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention .

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

Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Refer immediately 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.

Signs and Symptoms of Chloromethyl Methyl Ether Exposure: Acute exposure to chloromethyl methyl ether may produce severe irritation and burning of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Sore throat, fever, chills, dypsnea (difficulty breathing), chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary edema with productive cough may be noted.

General First Aid:

(General first aid procedures)

FLASHBACK ALONG VAPOR TRAIL MAY OCCUR.

Unburned material may form powerful tear gas. When wet, also forms irritating formaldehyde gas.

May float or sink in fire

TERRESTRIAL FATE: The fate of chloromethyl methyl ether in moist soil is unknown. However, since it hydrolyzes so rapidly in pure water(1), it is expected to disappear rapidly from moist soil(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Chloromethyl methyl ether will hydrolyze instantaneously in water (half-life <1 sec)(1). Reaction products include methanol, formaldehyde, HCl, and chloromethylformate(1,2).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Chloromethyl methyl ether will hydrolyze in humid air (half-life 3.5 min to 6.5 hr)(1,2). However, results suggest that the hydrolysis is surface catalyzed and therefore may not represent the true half-life in atmospheric room air or outside air(SRC). The half-life of chloromethyl methyl ether with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been determined to be approximately 7 days(3,SRC).

Serious local effects by all routes of exposure.

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

... Based upon the lack of persistence of BCME /bis(chloromethyl) ether/ and CMME /chloromethyl methyl ether/ in the environment, average human exposure to these compounds is likely to be very low. ... General population exposure to BCME and CMME occurs where they are produced by the widespread burning of this synergist in mosquito coils. ...Quantitative information on the kinetics and metabolism ... in humans is not available. However, it is anticipated that although in vivo BCME and CMME would be rapidly hydrolyzed in tissues to formaldehyde and hydrogen chloride, and methanol, formaldehyde and hydrogen chloride, respectively, there should be alkylation activity. ... BCME and CMME are acutely toxic by inhalation or ingestion. ...During inhalation of BCME /in laboratory animal studies/, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract were noted as well as necrotizing bronchitis. Skin application resulted in erythema and necrosis, and application to the eye resulted in corneal necrosis. Similar effects were noted after exposure to CMME. Increased mortality and tracheal hyperplasia were observed in rats and hamsters following multiple inhalation exposure to ... BCME ... Similar results were observed in rats repeatedly exposed by inhalation to ... CMME ... In general, positive results were obtained when ... tested for mutagenicity in vitro. ... BCME and CMME have been reported to increase unscheduled DNA synthesis in vitro ... Studies with CMME have shown an increased incidence of tracheal metaplasia and bronchial hyperplasia in a dose-dependent manner in rats. However, results of carcinogenicity bioassays are inconclusive in animal studies. ... Exposure of workers to BCME (CMME) was associated with increased risk of lung cancer. Workers exposed to commercial grade CMME were probably also exposed to BCME. The predominant tumors in exposed workers were small cell carcinomas, quite distinct from the chiefly squamous cell carcinomas usually found in smokers. The association between exposure to BCME (CMME) and lung cancer was strong ... The type of lung cancer, latency period and average age of appearance of lung tumors in workers exposed to BCME (CMME) has been remarkably consistent. For CMME, there is also evidence of a positive relationship between a qualitative measure of exposure and mortality due to lung cancer. ... Concentrations /of BCME and CMME/ ... in the course of occupational exposure increased the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the peripheral lymphocytes of exposed workers. Information has not been reported regarding the neurological, immunological, developmental or reproductive effects of BCME or CMME in humans. ... No information on the toxicological effects of BCME and CMME on environmental organisms has been reported.

U046; As stipulated in 40 CFR 261.33, when chloromethyl methyl ether, 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).

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. Chloromethyl methyl ether 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 10 lb or 4.54 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).

Releases of CERCLA hazardous substances are subject to the release reporting requirement of CERCLA section 103, codified at 40 CFR part 302, in addition to the requirements of 40 CFR part 355. Chloromethyl methyl ether is an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) subject to reporting requirements when stored in amounts in excess of its threshold planning quantity (TPQ) of 100 lbs.

Chloromethyl methyl ether

1

5000

Toxic chemical that can be released at a facility.

Chloromethyl methyl ether is used in the synthesis of chloromethylated compounds and as an alkylating agent and solvent used in the manufacture of water repellents, ion-exchange resins, and industrial polymers.

Used as a methylating agent; [ACGIH]

Carcinogen--see 29 CFR 1910.1003;

CHEM INT, EG, FOR DODECYLBENZYL CHLORIDE

An alkylating agent & solvent used in the manufacture of water repellants, ion-exchange resins, & indust polymers

In synthesis of chloromethylated compounds.

... Technical grade chloromethyl methyl ether contains 1-8% bis(chloromethyl)ether ... .

Commercial product is usually contaminated by sym-dichloromethyl ether.

2023: 5,000,000 - <10,000,000 lb

(1977) AT LEAST 4.59X10+9 G

(1982) PROBABLY GREATER THAN 2.27X10+6 G

Prepn by passing hydrogen chloride through a mixture of formalin and methanol.

Methyl chloromethyl ether ... can be made by ... reaction of /aliphatic compounds with paraformaldehyde and hydrogen chloride/. A highly carcinogenic by-product, bischloromethyl ether, restricts the use of this reaction.

Methanol + formaldehyde + hydrogen chloride, anhydrous (reaction)

Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing

Methane, chloromethoxy-: ACTIVE

IN 1976 THE INDUSTRIAL USE OF CHLOROMETHYL ETHERS HAS BEEN WIDELY CURTAILED OR STOPPED ALTOGETHER.