Common Name: 1,1,2-Trichloroethane
CAS Number: 79-00-5
DOT Number: UN 2831
Date: August, 1988
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* 1,1,2-Trichloroethane can affect you when breathed in and by
passing through your skin.
* Overexposure can cause unconsciousness and death. It can also
cause the heart to beat irregularly or to stop.
* High or repeated lower exposures can damage the liver and
kidneys.
* Long term skin contact can cause thickening and cracking of
the skin.
* Never use near combustion sources like furnaces or welding;
highly toxic gases are formed (including Hydrogen Chloride and
Phosgene).
IDENTIFICATION
1,1,2-Trichloroethane is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. It
is used in making other chemicals and adhesives, and as a solvent.
REASON FOR CITATION
* 1,1,2-Trichloroethane is on the Hazardous Substance List
because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, CAG, DOT,
DEP and EPA.
* This chemical is also on the Special Health Hazard Substance
List because it is a CANCER CAUSING AGENT.
* Definitions are attached.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED
* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air
samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your
employer. You have a legal right to this information under
OSHA 1910.20.
* If you think you are experiencing any work related health
problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 10
ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift.
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 10 ppm
averaged over an 8 hour workshift.
* The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin
contact also occurs, you may be over exposed, even though air
levels are less than the limits listed above.
WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
* Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust
ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust
ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be
worn.
* Wear protective work clothing.
* Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to 1,1,2-
Trichloroethane and at the end of the workshift.
* Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort,
communicate all information on the health and safety hazards
of 1,1,2-Trichloroethane to potentially exposed workers.
This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential
and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure.
Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other
factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential
effects described below.
------------------------------------------
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to 1,1,2-Triichloroethane:
* Breathing the vapor can cause you to feel dizzy or
lightheaded. High exposures can cause you to pass out or even
cause death.
* Exposure can cause the heart to beat irregularly or stop. This
can cause death.
* The vapor may irritate the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to 1,1,2-Trichloroethane and can last for
months or years:
Cancer Hazard
* 1,1,2-Trichloroethane may be a CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans
since it has been shown to cause liver and adrenal gland
cancers in animals.
* Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to
a cancer causing agent. Such substances may also have the
potential for causing reproductive damage in humans.
Reproductive Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane has not
been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction.
Other Long Term Effects
* Liver and kidney damage can occur from high or repeated lower
exposures.
* Repeated contact can cause thickening and cracking of the
skin.
* This chemical has not been adequately evaluated to determine
whether brain or other nerve damage could occur with repeated
exposure. However, many solvents and other petroleum based
chemicals have been shown to cause such damage. Effects may
include: reduced memory and concentration, personality changes
(withdrawal, irritability), fatigue, sleep disturbances,
reduced coordination, effects on nerves supplying internal
organs (autonomic nerves) and/or nerves to the arms and legs
(weakness, "pins and needles").
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV
or greater, or significant skin contact) the following are
recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that:
* Liver and kidney function tests.
* Interview for brain effects, including recent memory, mood
(irritability, withdrawal), concentration, headaches, malaise
and altered sleep patterns. Consider cerebellar, autonomic and
peripheral nervous system evaluation. Positive and borderline
individuals should be referred for neuropsychological testing.
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may
be useful:
* Special 24 hour EKG (holster monitor) to look for irregular
heart beat.
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present
symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already
done are not a substitute for controlling exposure.
Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to
this information under OSHA 1910.20.
Mixed Exposures
Because more than light alcohol consumption can cause liver damage,
it can increase the liver damage caused by 1,1,2-Trichloroethane.
WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of
reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations
and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical
release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using
respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the
controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary.
In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1)
how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is
released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye
contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly
toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing
exposures are possible.
In addition, the following control is recommended:
* Where possible, automatically pump liquid 1,1,2-
Trichloroethane from drums or other storage containers to
process containers.
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The
following work practices are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by 1,1,2-
Trichloroethane should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members
could be exposed.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to 1,1,2-
Trichloroethane.
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower
facilities should be provided.
* On skin contact with 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, immediately wash
or shower to remove the chemical.
* Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted 1,1,2-
Trichloroethane at the end of each work day, whether or not
known skin contact has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where 1,1,2-Trichloroethane is
handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be
swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry,
jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace
controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be
appropriate.
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply
to every situation.
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