Product Stewardship Summary

Epichlorohydrin

Introduction Chemical Identity Physical/Chemical Properties This document is intended to provide the Epichlorohydrin Epichlorohydrin is a colorless, volatile general public with a high-level overview of (i.e., 1-chloro-2,3-epoxy-propane) and flammable liquid with an irritating epichlorohydrin, including its uses, properties, (CAS No. 106-89-8) has a molecular -like odor which emits toxic and health and environmental considerations. formula of C3H5OCl. fumes when heated to decomposition. It is not intended to replace the Safety Data It is only slightly soluble in water but Synonyms: Sheet (SDS), which is available from suppliers. miscible with many organic ; ECH, epichlorohydrin, All purchasers and users of this substance other properties include: should read the SDS carefully to understand 2,3-epoxypropyl chloride, the hazards and appropriate precautions and (chloromethyl)ethylene oxide, ■■ Molecular Weight (g/mol): 92.53 practices for safe use of this substance. It is chloromethyloxirane, oxirane, ■■ : -57.1°C (-71.9°F) also not intended to replace or supercede 2-(chloromethyl), chloropropylene oxide ■■ Boiling point: 116°C (241°F) manufacturer’s instructions and warnings for ■■ Degradation point: 217°C products that may contain this substance. This Uses information is being provided for information ■■ Specific gravity: 1.18 @ 20°C only. This information does not constitute a Epichlorohydrin is a man-made chemical ■■ Vapor pressure: 12.5 @ 20°C (68°F) product specification, warranty, or approval for intermediate used in a wide variety of specific uses. This information does not alter or manufacturing applications, including ■■ Solubility in water: 1–10% affect Hexion’s standard terms and conditions epoxy and phenoxy resins and textiles, ion ■■ Vapor Density (Air=1): 3.3 of sale. It is the sole responsibility of the exchange resins, rubbers, paper saturated purchaser to select a particular Hexion product, ■■ Odor thresholds: resins and agricultural products. The most determine its suitability for the purchaser’s ––Mean odor recognition (ppm): 10 application, follow appropriate handling and familiar epoxy resin is used as a coating processing procedures, and to comply with all on the inside of food and beverage cans ––Odor recognized by majority of applicable statutory, regulatory, compatibility to prevent rusting. Epichlorohydrin is also individuals (ppm): 25 and industry requirements and standards for used as a and in the synthesis testing, safety, efficacy and labeling. of glycerol. Other uses include insect fumigation and as an intermediate for the formation of glycidyl acrylate derivatives such as those used in the manufacture of eyeglass lenses. General Health Effects Carcinogenic Potential Acute effects: Due to its vapor pressure, Epichlorohydrin causes cancer in excessive vapor concentrations of various laboratory animals following epichlorohydrin can readily occur at prolonged exposure. Based on this room temperature and may cause evidence, the International Agency for unconsciousness and even death. Acute Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies inhalation exposure to epichlorohydrin epichlorohydrin in the 2A category (i.e. in the workplace can cause irritation probably carcinogenic to humans). In to the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin the U.S., epichlorohydrin is considered of workers. At high levels of exposure, by the Occupational Safety and Health nausea, vomiting, cough, labored Administration (OSHA) to be a potential th breathing, inflammation of the lung, carcinogen. Also in the U.S. in the 11 pulmonary edema, and kidney lesions Report on Carcinogens, epichlorohydrin may be observed in humans. Lung is considered as reasonably anticipated injury, which can be delayed following to be a human carcinogen based on exposure, can result from inhalation sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in of epichlorohydrin vapor at sufficient experimental animals (IARC 1976, 1982, concentrations. 1987, 1999). The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Chronic effects: Repeated inhalation (ACGIH) places epichlorohydrin in cancer of epichlorohydrin vapor (or prolonged class A3 (confirmed animal carcinogen skin contact with the liquid) has caused with unknown relevance to humans). 1– 6,9,10 adverse effects in the upper respiratory tract and liver and kidney injury to laboratory animals as well as humans. Chronic occupational exposure of humans to epichlorohydrin has been associated with high levels of respiratory tract illness and adverse effects on the blood. In animal studies, effects on reproduction have been reported mainly as a reversible decrease in fertility in male rats; in exposed pregnant females there are no effects on the development of fetuses. A number of epidemiological studies which investigated epichlorohydrin exposure and health effects in workers have shown no association with effects on reproduction. 1–8 Environmental Effects Exposure Potential References Because of its use primarily as a chemical 1. CalEPA. 2000. Epichlorohydrin. Environmental Fate Information intermediate, the primary source of Chronic Toxicity Summary. In the event of a spill, because exposure to epichlorohydrin is from Determination of Noncancer Chronic epichlorohydrin is relatively volatile it occupational sources. With respect to Reference Exposure Levels. would readily evaporate from near‑surface potential consumer exposure, since http://oehha.ca.gov/air/chronic_rels/ soils and other solid surfaces. If released epichlorohydrin is used to manufacture pdf/106898.pdf other products, end-use consumer into water it will be lost primarily by 2. Environmental Protection Agency products are expected to contain no more evaporation (half-life 29 hr in a typical (EPA). Integrated Risk Information than trace levels of epichlorohydrin, if any river) and hydrolysis (half-life 8.2 days). System (IRIS). Epichlorohydrin at all with resulting exposures expected to It does not adsorb appreciably to (CASRN 106-89-8). http://www.epa.gov/ be low to negligible. No data on measured sediment. If spilled on land, it will also iris/subst/0050.htm evaporate and leach into the groundwater concentrations of epichlorohydrin in where it will hydrolyze. environmental media, food or water are 3. Environmental Protection Agency available as industrial emissions are also (EPA). Basic Information about Biodegradation and chemical reactions negligible. 3,4,5,6 Epichlorohydrin in Drinking with reactive species in soil and water may Water http://water.epa.gov/drink/ accelerate the loss of epichlorohydrin, Risk Management contaminants/basicinformation/ but data from field studies are lacking. Recommendations epichlorohydrin.cfm In the atmosphere, epichlorohydrin Risk management procedures are degrades by reaction with sunlight 4. Epichlorohydrin (Environmental Health mainly for individuals who might come produced hydroxyl (i.e., OH) radicals Criteria) (ISBN 10: 9241540931/ISBN into contact with epichlorohydrin in (≈ half-life 4 days). With an estimated 13: 9789241540933) World Health an occupational setting. This entails log bioconcentration factor of 0.66, Organization maintaining adequate local ventilation in epichlorohydrin will not bioconcentrate order to ensure that air concentrations 5. Epichlorohydrin. Product Stewardship appreciably in aquatic organisms and is fall below applicable requirements Manual Safe Handling and readily biodegradable. 3,4,6 and recommended exposure limits. Storage. Dow Chemical Company. When there is a likelihood of unknown http://msdssearch.dow.com/ Aquatic and/or Terrestrial Toxicity exposures that might exceed these PublishedLiteratureDOWCOM/ Because of its rapid evaporation and/or values, respiratory protection is mandatory dh_0100/0901b80380100836. degradation in water, epichlorohydrin using government-required or appropriate pdf?filepath=epoxy/ is not expected to be toxic to aquatic apparatus to avoid irritation and/or to pdfs/noreg/296-01301. organisms. Acute toxicity levels for comply with acceptable limits, such as pdf&fromPage=GetDoc epichlorohydrin measured in a variety face masks with correct cartridges and 6. Environment Canada, Health Canada. of aquatic organisms, including various self-contained breathing apparatus, 2009. Proposed Risk Management species of fish and invertebrates depending upon the situation. Proper Approach for Oxirane, (chloromethyl)- (e.g.,daphnids) do not indicate a concern hand (gloves), eyes (protective goggles (Epichlorohydrin), Chemical Abstracts for low level toxic effects. Epichlorohydrin or face shield) and skin (neoprene apron Service Registry Number (CAS is mildly acutely toxic to fish (various and boots) protection should also be used RN):106-89-8. species) and crustaceans (e.g., Daphnia) where necessary. In addition, showers with LC50s from 10–30 mg/l and 30–40 and eyewash stations should also be 7. Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. mg/l, respectively. 3,4,6 maintained. 5,6,8 Epichlorohydrin. Material Safety Data Sheet. Product Stewardship Commitment 8. Solvay Chemicals, Inc. 2005. Epichlorohydrin is used in a wide variety Epichlorohydrin MSDS No. EPI_0405 of manufacturing applications. The www.solvaychemicals.us chemistry of epichlorohydrin continues to 9. U.S. Department of Health and Human make it a versatile and valuable material, Services. 11th Report on Carcinogens. with applications that enhance the quality Public Health Service, National of modern life. We are committed to Toxicology Program. responsible plant operations that protect the health and safety of our associates, 10. World Health Organization (WHO). neighbors and the environment. As Epichlorohydrin in Drinking- responsible stewards of our products, we water. Background document for are committed to helping our customers development of WHO Guidelines for with regulatory compliance, safe product Drinking-water Quality http://www. use and product enhancements. We who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/ continue to support scientific research, chemicals/epichlorohydrin.pdf compliance awareness and education programs designed to advocate the safe use of epichlorohydrin. Hexion: Helping you make it in today’s world. 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