Common Name: 1,2-Dichloroethane
CAS Number: 107-06-2
DOT Number: UN 1184
Date: September 9, 1986
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* 1,2-Dichloroethane can affect you when breathed in and by
passing through your skin.
* 1,2-Dichloroethane should be handled as a CARCINOGEN WITH
EXTREME CAUTION.
* Exposure can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, liver and
kidney damage and can cause you to pass out and even die.
* Exposure can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. Higher
levels can cause fluid build up in the lungs (pulmonary
edema). This can cause death.
* Contact can irritate the skin and eyes.
* 1,2-Dichloroethane is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a FIRE HAZARD.
IDENTIFICATION
1,2-Dichloroethane is a colorless, oily, liquid with a chloroform
like odor. It is used to make vinyl chloride, as a solvent and in
many other industrial processes.
REASON FOR CITATION
* 1,2-Dichloroethane is on the Hazardous Substance List because
it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, NTP
and NFPA.
* This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List
because it is a CARCINOGEN, a MUTAGEN and is FLAMMABLE.
* Definitions are attached.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED
* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
evaluated. This may include collecting air samples. Under OSHA
1910.20, you have a legal right to obtain copies of sampling
results from your employer. 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.
* ODOR THRESHOLD = 88 ppm.
* The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not
smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
50 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift and 100 ppm
ceiling not to be exceeded at any time except for an
allowable peak up to 200 ppm for 5 minutes in any 3
hours of a workshift.
NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 1 ppm
averaged over an 10 hour workshift and 2 ppm, not to be
exceeded during any 15 minute work period.
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 10 ppm
averaged over an 8 hour workshift.
* 1,2-Dichloroethane may be a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be
no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact
should be reduced to the lowest possible level.
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 1,2-
Dichloroethane 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 1,2-Dichloroethane 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.
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HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to 1,2-Dichloroethane:
* Breathing 1,2-Dichloroethane can irritate the nose, throat,
and lungs causing a cough, shortness of breath and difficulty
in breathing. Higher levels can cause a build up of fluid in
the lungs (pulmonary edema). This can cause death.
* Exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, increasing
drowsiness and then loss of consciousness. Overexposure can
also cause liver and kidney damage, and irritate the eyes.
* Contact can irritate the skin causing redness and a rash, and
irritate the eyes.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to 1,2-Dichloroethane and can last for months
or years:
Cancer Hazard
* 1,2-Dichloroethane may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has
been shown to cause stomach, lung, breast and other types of
cancers in animals.
* Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to
a carcinogen. 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, 1,2-Dichloroethane has not been
tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction.
Other Long Term Effects
* 1,2-Dichloroethane can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposures
may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, phlegm, and/or
shortness of breath.
* Repeated, prolonged contact can chronically irritate the skin
causing dryness, redness and a rash.
* Repeated, prolonged exposure can cause loss of appetite,
nausea and vomiting, trembling and low blood sugar (with
weakness). It may damage the liver and kidneys.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the
following are recommended:
* Lung function tests.
* Liver and kidney function tests.
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may
be useful:
* Consider chest x ray after acute overexposure.
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 smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung
cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may
worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure.
Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will
reduce your risk of developing health problems.
* Because more than light alcohol consumption can cause liver
damage, drinking alcohol may increase the liver damage caused
by 1,2-Dichloroethane.
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 controls are recommended:
* Where possible, automatically pump liquid 1,2-Dichloroethane
from drums or other storage containers to process containers.
* Specific engineering controls are recommended for this
chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document:
Occupational Exposure to Ethylene Dichloride (1,2-
Dichloroethane) #78 211.
* Before entering a confined space where 1,2-Dichloroethane may
be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration
does not exist.
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The
following work practices are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by 1,2-
Dichloroethane 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 1,2-
Dichloroethane.
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower
facilities should be provided.
* On skin contact with 1,2-Dichloroethane, immediately wash or
shower to remove the chemical.
* Do not eat.
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