Ethyl chloride

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]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Yes

100 ppm

1000 ppm

3800 ppm

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].

1010 mm Hg

4.2 ppm

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;

Reference Link #2

burn readily

Acute solvent syndrome

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

Not classifiable

Confirmed Animal

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Solvents, acute toxic effect