Agent Name
Ethyl chloride
Alternative Name
Chloroethane
Synonyms
Aethylchlorid [German]; Aethylchloride [German]; Aethylis chloridum; Anodynon; Chelen; Chloorethaan [Dutch]; Chlorene; Chlorethyl; Chloroaethan [German]; Chloroethane; Chlorure d'ethyle [French]; Chloryl; Chloryl anesthetic; Cloretilo; Cloroetano [Italian]; Cloruro di etile [Italian]; Dublofix; Ethane, chloro-; Ether chloratus; Ether chloridum; Ether hydrochloric; Ether muriatic; Ethyl chloride; Etylu chlorek [Polish]; Hydrochloric ether; Kelene; Monochlorethane; Monochloroethane; Muriatic ether; Narcotile; [ChemIDplus] UN1037
Category
Chlorinated Aliphatics
Description
Colorless gas or liquid (below 54 degrees F) with a pungent, ether-like odor; Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, a solvent, an alkylating agent, a propellant in aerosols, and an anesthetic; [ACGIH]
Comments
Liver injury has been documented in studies of experimental animals. [ACGIH] Ethyl chloride is in the list of "Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation" published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers. [Reference #1]
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Human data: It has been reported that 13,000 ppm for 21 minutes caused no difficulty in walking or balancing but 19,000 ppm caused weak analgesia and slight dizziness after 12 minutes [Davidson 1926].
Vapor Pressure
1010 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
4.2 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 152,000 mg/m3/2H
Explanatory Notes
IDLH = 10% LEL (lower explosive limit); Odor threshold from NJ "Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet"; Flash point = -50 deg C; VP from HSDB;
Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
IARC Carcinogen
Not classifiable
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Animal
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: