Pentachloroethane

Synonyms

Ethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentachloro-; Ethane pentachloride; Ethane, pentachloro-; Pentachloorethaan [Dutch]; Pentachloraethan [German]; Pentachlorethane [French]; Pentacloroetano [Italian]; Pentalin; [ChemIDplus] 1,1,1,2,2-Pentachloroethane; [CAMEO] UN1669

Category

Chlorinated Aliphatics

Description

Colorless liquid with a sweetish, chloroform-like odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a metal degreaser, dry cleaning agent, fumigant, timber drying agent, to separate impurities from coal, and as a solvent for chemicals, rubbers, resins, and gums; [HSDB] Used as a chemical intermediate and in soil sterilization; [NTP]

Comments

A central nervous system depressant in acute animal studies; [HSDB] An eye and respiratory tract irritant; May cause CNS depression; Chronic exposure may cause impaired nervous system function; [ICSC] Overexposure may cause liver and kidney injury; [NTP] May cause irritation; Prolonged or repeated inhalation exposure may cause organ injury; [Alfa Aesar MSDS]

Biomedical References

5 ppm

3.5 mm Hg

LC50 (rat) = 4,238 ppm/2hr

Explanatory Notes

VP from HSDB;

Acute solvent syndrome

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:

• Dry Cleaning
• Metal Degreasing