Epichlorohydrin
Agent Name
Epichlorohydrin
Alternative Name
1-Chloro-2,3-epoxypropane
CAS Number
106-89-8
Formula
C3-H5-Cl-O
Major Category
Plastics & Rubber
Synonyms
2-Chloropropylene oxide; gamma-Chloropropylene oxide; 1-Chloro-2,3-epoxypropane; [NIOSH] UN2023
Category
Epoxides
Description
Colorless liquid with a slightly irritating, chloroform-like odor; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used primarily in the manufacture of epoxy and phenoxy resins; [ACGIH]
Comments
Can cause severe skin burns and a skin sensitizer; Inhalation of vapor can cause lung edema and asthma-like reactions; [ICSC] In high-dose animal studies, epichlorohydrin causes testicular damage and sterility. [Frazier, p. 340] Animals exposed in subchronic inhalation studies at 50 ppm show kidney damage and liver effects. TLV Basis is respiratory tract irritant; [ACGIH] Suspected germ cell mutagen (3B); [MAK] Destructive to mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS] Epichlorohydrin (UN2023) has warning of explosive polymerization; [ERG 2016]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
0.1 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
5 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
75 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Human data: Workers engaged in the production of epichlorohydrin from dichlorohydrin glycerin, with isolated exposures to epichlorohydrin ranging from 4.9 to 54.9 ppm, showed no apparent adverse effects [Pet'ko et al. 1966]. Concentrations of 20 ppm produced transient burning of the eyes and nasal mucosa, 40 ppm produced eye and throat irritation that persisted for 48 hours, and concentrations in excess of 100 ppm were considered intolerable with a potential for lung edema and kidney lesions [NIOSH 1976].
Vapor Pressure
16.4 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
0.08 ppm
Odor Threshold High
12 ppm
RD50
687 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 250 ppm/8 hr
Explosive Polymerization
Yes
Explanatory Notes
Odor threshold from AIHA; Flash point = 88 deg F; [CHEMINFO] VP from HSDB;
Half Life
No reports found; [TDR, p. 619]
Reference Link #2
NFPA
may ignite at ambient temp
ERPG-1
5 ppm
ERPG-2
20 ppm
ERPG-3
100 ppm
Adverse Effects
Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Nephrotoxin
Yes
Reproductive Toxin
Yes
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns
IARC Carcinogen
Probable (2a)
NTP Carcinogen
Anticipated human carcinogen
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Animal
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: