1,1-Dichloroethane

Synonyms

Asymmetrical dichloroethane; 1,1-Dichlorethane; 1,1-Ethylidene dichloride; Chlorinated hydrochloric ether; Ethane, 1,1-dichloro-; Ethylidene chloride; Ethylidene dichloride; alpha,alpha-Dichloroethane; 1,1-Dichloorethaan [Dutch]; 1,1-Dichloraethan [German]; 1,1-Dicloroetano [Italian]; Aethylidenchlorid [German]; Chlorure d'ethylidene [French]; Cloruro di etilidene [Italian]; [ChemIDplus] Dichloromethylmethane; [Merck Index] Dichloroethane, 1,1-; 1,1-Ethylene dichloride; HCC 150A; [CAMEO] UN2362

Category

Chlorinated Aliphatics

Description

Colorless, oily liquid with a chloroform-like odor; [NIOSH] Clear colorless to light yellow liquid; [Acros Organics MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Used as a chemical intermediate, grain fumigant, and solvent for plastics and oils; in the past, used as an anesthetic; [ACGIH] Used as a cleaning agent, in metal degreasing, rubber cementing, in fabric spreading, ore flotation, fire extinguishing, as an insecticide spray, extraction solvent, coupling agent in antiknock gasoline, paint, varnish, and finish remover, and to make high vacuum rubber; [HSDB] Used as a reagent and solvent for paint and varnishes; [Merck Index]

Comments

1,1-Dichoroethane is less toxic to the liver than other chlorinated solvents. [ACGIH] The halogenated solvents are CNS depressants; A 14 year old boy developed fatal hepatorenal syndrome after ingesting about 50 ml of dichloroethane; [Sullivan, p. 739-40] May have CNS effects, causing unconsciousness at high exposure levels; May cause liver and kidney injury; [ICSC] An eye and respiratory tract irritant; Prolonged or repeated exposure can cause skin burns; Inhalation may cause CNS depression; May cause liver and kidney injury; [HSDB] An eye and respiratory tract irritant; Harmful by ingestion; [Acros Organics MSDS]

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

100 ppm

100 ppm

100 ppm

3000 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Patty [1963] reported that rats survived 8­hour exposures to 4,000 ppm, but died at 16,000 ppm [Smyth 1956].

227 mm Hg

49 ppm

Odor Threshold High

1359 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 13,000 ppm/4hr

Explanatory Notes

Odor threshold from AIHA; Flash point = -17 deg C; VP from HSDB;

Based on information from its use as an anesthetic in the past: completely removed within 2 days; [TDR, p. 490]

Reference Link #2

may ignite at ambient temp

Acute solvent syndrome

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Fumigants, acute toxic effect
• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)
• Metal Degreasing
• Metal Extraction and Refining
• Painting (Solvents)
• Textiles (Fiber & Fabric Manufacturing)