Product Name: Dichloroethane
Synonyms: 1,2-Dichloroethane, Ethylene dichloride, EDC
CAS Number: 107-06-2
Recommended Uses: Industrial solvent, intermediate in chemical production, leaded gasoline additive manufacture
Manufacturer: Major chemical companies worldwide distribute and synthesize dichloroethane
Contact Information: Reachable via company safety hotline for emergencies, with 24-hour service commonly listed on label and shipping documents
Classification: Flammable liquid and vapor, Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin and eye irritant, Carcinogen (IARC group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes skin and eye irritation, may cause cancer after prolonged exposure, toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects, forms explosive mixtures with air
Pictograms: Flame, exclamation mark, health hazard, environment symbol
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; avoid breathing vapors; wash hands thoroughly after handling; use explosion-proof equipment
Chemical Name: 1,2-Dichloroethane
Formula: C2H4Cl2
Concentration: ≥99% pure in industrial-grade material
Impurities: Trace impurities include water, hydrochloric acid, and other chlorinated hydrocarbons in minimal quantities due to production processes
Inhalation: Remove exposed person to fresh air immediately, support breathing as needed, seek medical attention promptly for persistent cough or breathing difficulty
Skin Contact: Take off contaminated clothing immediately, rinse skin with flowing water for at least 15 minutes; repeated washing may help prevent irritation or burns
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously under running water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy; continue rinsing; urgent ophthalmological evaluation required
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water thoroughly, never provoke vomiting, medical attention is mandatory due to risk of aspiration and toxic effect on the nervous system and organs
Notes for Doctor: Treat symptomatically, monitor for delayed pulmonary and neurological symptoms, consider possible cardiac arrhythmia in severe intoxications
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, alcohol-resistant foam
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water jets can cause potential chemical splash and spreading
Specific Hazards: Releases toxic gases like hydrogen chloride, phosgene, and carbon monoxide on combustion
Protective Equipment: Firefighters must wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective suit including chemical-resistant gloves and boots
Firefighting Instructions: Keep containers cool by spraying with water, evacuate personnel from fire area, prevent runoff from reaching sewers or waterways
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ventilate area, wear suitable protective equipment including respirator
Environmental Precautions: Prevent material from contaminating soil, surface water, and sewers, inform local authorities if large spill occurs
Containment and Cleanup: Use inert absorbent material such as sand or vermiculite, collect spill in chemical waste containers, decontaminate area with detergent and copious water, ensure proper ventilation throughout process
Handling: Use chemical fume hood or local exhaust, avoid all personal contact with liquid or vapor, do not smoke or use ignition sources in area
Storage: Store in tightly closed, labeled containers made of compatible material, keep in a cool, well-ventilated place away from heat, sparks, open flames, acids, alkalis, oxidizing agents, and moisture
Precautions: Ground and bond all transfer and storage equipment, regularly inspect containers for leaks, monitor ambient air regularly for vapor concentration build-up in storage area
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL 50 ppm (8-hour TWA); ACGIH TLV 10 ppm (8-hour TWA)
Engineering Controls: Provide mechanical exhaust ventilation or fume extraction, use leak detection systems at transfer points, install emergency showers and eyewash stations
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, butyl rubber), splash goggles or face shield, flame-retardant lab coat or chemical apron, vapor respirator with organic vapor cartridge when airborne concentration exceeds safe levels
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, forearms, and face thoroughly after handling, prohibit eating or drinking in chemical handling areas, change contaminated clothing before entering lunch or break rooms
Appearance: Clear to slightly yellow, heavy, oily liquid
Odor: Chloroform-like, sweetish; perceptible at low concentrations
Boiling Point: 83.5°C (182.3°F)
Melting Point: -35°C (-31°F)
Flash Point: 13°C (56°F) closed cup
Vapor Pressure: 87 mmHg at 20°C
Relative Density: 1.25 (water = 1)
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (~8.7 g/L at 20°C), miscible with most organic solvents
Vapor Density: 3.4 (air = 1)
Auto-ignition Temperature: 413°C (775°F)
Evaporation Rate: Faster than water; high volatility
pH: Not applicable (neutral organic liquid)
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperature and pressure, decomposes slowly on prolonged exposure to light and moisture
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, alkali metals, aluminum, ammonia, amines, finely divided metals
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide
Polymerization: Not likely under normal conditions but possible in the presence of some catalysts or under high energy
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flames, sunlight, contact with incompatible substances
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 670 mg/kg; LC50 (inhalation, rat, 4 hr): 4000 ppm
Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, respiratory distress, incoordination, visual disturbances, skin redness, blistering, eye pain
Chronic Effects: Liver and kidney damage, central nervous system effects, possible carcinogenicity (IARC 2B)
Carcinogenicity: Evidence from animal studies and limited human data; classified as possibly carcinogenic
Mutagenicity and Teratogenicity: Animal studies suggest potential risk at prolonged exposure or high doses
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms, rapid and long-lasting adverse effects in fish and invertebrates
Persistence and Degradability: Moderate persistence; breaks down through biodegradation, photolysis, and hydrolysis, but may last in groundwater
Bioaccumulation: Low bioaccumulation factor in aquatic species but danger lies in high vapor and water solubility
Mobility in Soil: Moves readily through soil, can reach water tables and contaminate groundwater
Environmental Concerns: Industrial spills contributed to legacy contamination in many regions, strict monitoring recommended around production and use sites
Waste Handling: Incinerate in permitted facility equipped with scrubber and afterburner for chlorinated organics, avoid landfill disposal or down-the-drain practices
Container Disposal: Rinse and triple-clean containers before recycling, puncture or crush empty drums to prevent reuse, consign all residues and rinsates to hazardous waste stream
Legal Obligations: Strictly regulated as hazardous waste under national and international chemical disposal statutes, designated by RCRA as U077 waste code in the United States, manifests and certified destruction documentation preserved for regulatory compliance
UN Number: 1184
Proper Shipping Name: 1,2-Dichloroethane
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: II
Labels: Flammable Liquid; Toxic
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Segregated from food and feedstuffs during transport, emergency guides and firefighting equipment accessible in transit
OSHA: Hazardous Chemical as defined in 29 CFR 1910.1200
EPA: Listed as hazardous air pollutant, regulated under CERCLA, RCRA, and SARA Title III
TSCA: Listed on US Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
EU: Classified under CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, subject to REACH authorization
IARC: Group 2B (Possibly carcinogenic to humans)
Other Regulatory Details: Strict workplace monitoring required for air concentrations, personal exposure logs retained for review, warning signage posted at all handling sites
