Ethylene chlorohydrin

Synonyms

2-Chloorethanol [Dutch]; 2-Chloraethanol [German]; 2-Chlorethanol [German]; 2-Chloro-1-ethanol; 2-Chloro-1-hydroxyethane; 2-Chloroethanol; 2-Chloroethyl alcohol; 2-Cloroetanolo [Italian]; 2-Hydroxyethyl chloride; 2-Monochloroethanol; Aethylenechlorhydrin [German]; Chloroethylowy alkohol [Polish]; Ethanol, 2-chloro-; Ethene, chlorohydrin; Ethylchlorohydrin; Ethyleen-chloorhydrine [Dutch]; Ethylene chlorhydrin; Ethylene chlorohydrin; Ethylene glycol, chlorohydrin; Glicol monocloridrina [Italian]; Glycol chlorohydrin; Glycol monochlorohydrin; Glycolmonochloorhydrine [Dutch]; Glycomonochlorhydrin; Monochlorhydrine du glycol [French]; beta-Chloroethyl alcohol; beta-Hydroxyethyl chloride; delta-Chloroethanol; delta-Chloroethanolchloroethylowy alkohol [Polish]; [ChemIDplus] UN1135

Category

Other Toxic Gases & Vapors

Description

Colorless liquid with a faint, ether-like odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a solvent and chemical intermediate; it is formed during the sterilization of supplies with ethylene oxide; [ACGIH] Used as a solvent for cellulose ethers, machine cleaning, and spot removing; [HSDB]

Comments

In acute animal experiments, ethylene chlorohydrin is a potent central nervous system depressant. Autopsy of a worker who died from ethylene chlorohydrin poisoning showed severe damage to the brain, liver, and other organs. [ACGIH] Absorbed through the skin and severely irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract; Causes heart, liver, and kidney damage and respiratory failure; [ICSC] Ethylene chlorohydrin is more toxic to the kidneys than other halogenated hydrocarbons. It readily penetrates through rubber gloves and the skin. [LaDou, p. 417]

No currently registered in the U.S. for use as a pesticide; [HSDB]

Biomedical References

Yes

Yes

1 ppm

5 ppm

2 ppm

7 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Other animal data: Rats exposed for 15 minutes a day at concentrations of 900 to 1,000 ppm died within a few days [Goldblatt and Chiesman 1944]. Repeated 1­hour exposures (not defined) to 2 ppm can be fatal to rats [Ambrose 1950]. \ Human data: Death has resulted from a 2­hour exposure at an estimated concentration of 300 ppm [Dierker and Brown 1944].

7.18 mm Hg

0.4 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 290mg/m3

Explanatory Notes

Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; Flash point = 40 deg C; VP = 4.9 mm Hg at 20 deg C; [HSDB]

high ambient temp required

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:

• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Metal Degreasing
• Sterilizing Equipment