Product Name: 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
Chemical Formula: C2H2Cl4
CAS Number: 79-34-5
Synonyms: Symphony, Acetylene tetrachloride, Westron
Recommended Use: Industrial and laboratory solvent, chemical intermediate
Manufacturer: Chemtrek Inc., 100 Safety Drive, Houston, TX 77001, USA
Contact Number: +1-800-555-9341
Emergency Number: CHEMTREC: +1-800-424-9300
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity - Oral (Category 3), Acute Toxicity - Inhalation (Category 2), Carcinogenicity (Category 2), Skin Irritation (Category 2), Eye Irritation (Category 2A), Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Category 2)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, fatal if inhaled, causes skin and serious eye irritation, suspected of causing cancer, may cause damage to liver and kidneys, causes central nervous system depression
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, health hazard
Precautionary Statements: Avoid all contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; do not breathe fumes or mist; use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area; wear protective equipment; wash hands thoroughly after handling
Chemical Name: 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
PURITY: ≥99.0%
Impurities: Trichloroethylene (<1%), Hexachloroethane (<0.5%)
Other Ingredients: None pertinent based on exposure values
Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air; keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing; immediately call a poison control center or doctor; provide artificial respiration if breathing stops
Skin Contact: Immediately remove contaminated clothing; wash skin vigorously with soap and water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical attention for irritation or persistent symptoms
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with clean water for at least 20 minutes while holding eyelids apart; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing; seek immediate medical care
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth with water; never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person; seek medical attention without delay
Most Important Symptoms: Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, respiratory difficulty, chemical burns, confusion, cardiac arrhythmias, possible unconsciousness
Notes for Doctor: Treat symptomatically and supportively; monitor liver and kidney function; avoid use of epinephrine due to risk of cardiac sensitization
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, foam, alcohol-resistant foam
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jet; may spread fire or release toxic vapors
Hazardous Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Firefighting Instructions: Wear full protective suit and self-contained breathing apparatus; approach fire from upwind side; use water spray to cool containers and protect personnel
Unusual Fire Hazards: Vapors heavier than air; may travel along ground and ignite by distant ignition sources; substance is not highly flammable but thermal decomposition produces highly toxic gases
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area; restrict access; wear full protective gear, including chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, apron, and NIOSH-approved respirator
Environmental Precautions: Prevent run-off into soil, drains, sewers, and waterways; alert local authorities if significant spillage occurs
Containment and Cleanup: Small spills: absorb with inert dry material (earth, sand), then place in chemical waste container; ventilate area thoroughly; wash contaminated surfaces with soap and water; large spills: dike area, recover liquid with explosion-proof equipment, send for proper disposal
Decontamination: Use appropriate industrial detergent; do not use solvents such as alcohols which may react
Handling: Work only in well-ventilated areas or fume hoods; avoid inhalation of vapors and direct skin/eye contact; keep containers tightly closed; avoid sources of ignition; use anti-static tools
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated space out of sunlight; keep container upright and well-sealed; segregate away from oxidizers, strong bases, amines, and reactive metals; store below 25°C (77°F); use corrosion-resistant shelving; check containers regularly for leaks
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 1 ppm TWA; OSHA PEL: 5 ppm (35 mg/m³) TWA
Engineering Controls: Use only with local exhaust ventilation or fume hoods; install emergency eyewash and safety showers nearby
Personal Protective Equipment: Respiratory—full-face respirators with organic vapor cartridges or supplied air; Skin—impermeable gloves (nitrile, Viton), protective apron, full-coverage chemical suit; Eyes—chemical safety goggles with face shield
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, face, and arms thoroughly after handling; change contaminated clothing and launder before reuse; prohibit eating, drinking, or smoking in work area
Appearance: Colorless, oily liquid
Odor: Sweet, chloroform-like
Odor Threshold: 3.5 ppm
Melting Point: -43.6°C
Boiling Point: 146°C (295°F)
Flash Point: None, non-flammable liquid
Vapor Pressure: 8 mmHg @ 25°C
Vapor Density: 5.8 (air = 1)
Specific Gravity: 1.594 @ 20°C
Solubility in Water: Slightly soluble (0.3 g/100 ml @ 20°C)
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): 2.39
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 426°C
Decomposition Temperature: >200°C
Viscosity: 1.07 mPa·s @ 25°C
Evaporation Rate: 0.19 (butyl acetate = 1)
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions; exposure to light, strong bases or alkalis, certain metals (aluminum, potassium), and high temperatures leads to decomposition
Reactivity: May react violently with alkali metals, finely divided aluminum, potassium, sodium, and strong bases
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, and minor amounts of other chlorinated hydrocarbons
Polymerization: Will not occur under normal conditions
Incompatible Materials: Reacts with active metals, strong reducing or oxidizing agents, strong bases, and amines
Conditions to Avoid: High heat, open flames, strong acids, direct sunlight, and moisture
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 300 mg/kg; Dermal LD50 (rabbit): >2,000 mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 (rat, 4 hrs): 100 ppm
Chronic Toxicity: Prolonged or repeated exposure causes liver and kidney damage, central nervous system depression, nausea, fatigue, and increased risk of cancer
Carcinogenicity: IARC Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans); ACGIH A3 confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans
Symptoms of Exposure: Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, liver tenderness, CNS depression, confusion, irregular heartbeat, possible death on severe exposure
Toxicity to Aquatic Organisms: Very toxic to aquatic life; LC50 (fish, 96h) = 10 mg/L; EC50 (daphnia, 48h) = 3.3 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Degrades slowly in soil and water; may persist for weeks; not readily biodegradable
Bioaccumulation Potential: Moderate; bioaccumulation factor (BCF) = 40, indicating some risk in aquatic organisms over time
Mobility in Soil: Moderate, may leach to groundwater especially in sandy soils; adsorption to soil is limited
Environmental Fate: Volatilizes mainly from surface water and contaminated soils; degradation in air leads to photolysis with a half-life of 60 days
Other Adverse Effects: Disrupts aquatic microorganisms, may damage local ecosystems, especially if released in large quantities
Waste Disposal Methods: Incinerate at licensed hazardous waste facility; do not pour into drains, water sources, or municipal sewers; use EPA-approved licensed transporter for off-site transfer
Container Disposal: After complete emptying, triple rinse, puncture, and send to authorized drum recycler or hazardous waste incinerator
Regulations: Comply with all local, regional, and federal treatment and disposal regulations
Precautions for Disposal: Avoid release into the environment, ensure all handling in accordance with environmental protection statutes, segregate from incompatible materials for safe incineration
UN Number: 1669
Proper Shipping Name: Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2,2-
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic Substance)
Packing Group: II
Labels: Toxic (Skull and Crossbones); Environmental Hazard (Marine Pollutant)
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Transport Precautions: Keep away from food and feedstuffs, ensure all containers are upright, tightly closed, and handled by trained hazardous materials personnel; avoid overpacking or stacking; follow national and international transport regulations (DOT, IATA, IMDG)
TSCA Status: Listed on the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
SARA Title III: Section 302 Extremely Hazardous: No; Section 313: Listed, subject to reporting
RCRA Status: Hazardous waste code U209, subject to hazardous waste regulations
California Proposition 65: Listed as a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer
OSHA: Regulated as hazardous; subject to Federal and State worker protection standards
WHMIS (Canada): Controlled Product; D1B (Toxic material—immediate and serious toxic effects), D2A (Carcinogen)
International Regulations: ECHA (REACH)—Registered, subject to restrictions; IARC—Group 2B carcinogen
Other Requirements: Ensure all users receive safety training, maintain up-to-date safety documentation, provide spill kits and first aid equipment in all storage and use locations
