Chemical Sampling Information
	bis(Chloromethyl) ether
Quick Links General Description Exposure Limits Health Factors Monitoring Search    [use word(s)/phrase] Table of Contents By Name A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z By CAS Number General Description Synonyms: BCME; bis-CME; Chloromethyl ether; Dichlorodimethyl ether; Dichloromethyl ether; Oxybis(chloromethane) OSHA IMIS Code Number: 2630 Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 542-88-1 NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: KN1575000 Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 2249 131 [27 KB, PDF] NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, bis-Chloromethyl ether: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more Exposure Limits OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1008 bis(Chloromethyl) ether requirements identical to 29 CFR 1910.1003 -- 13 Carcinogens (4-Nitrobiphenyl, etc.). -- Cancer-Suspect Agent OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.1108 requirements identical to 29 CFR 1910.1003 -- 13 Carcinogens (4-Nitrobiphenyl, etc.). -- Cancer-Suspect Agent OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1008 requirements identical to 29 CFR 1910.1003 -- 13 Carcinogens (4-Nitrobiphenyl, etc.). -- Cancer-Suspect Agent American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 0.001 ppm, 0.0047 mg/m3 TWA; Appendix A - NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): Appendix A - NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens; Appendix B - Thirteen OSHA-Regulated Carcinogens Health Factors National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Known to be a Human Carcinogen [209 KB, PDF] International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 1, carcinogenic to humans (technical-grade) [1 MB, PDF, 454 pages] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Group A, known human carcinogen Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, mucous membrane, respiratory system; pulmonary congestion, edema; blurred vision (corneal damage), necrosis; decreased pulmonary function; cough, dyspnea, wheezing; blood-stained sputum, bronchial secretions; [potential occupational carcinogen]; INGES. ACUTE: Burning sensation in throat and chest, abdominal pain; shock or collapse. Health Effects: Cancer (Lung) (HE1); Chronic bronchitis, impaired respiratory function (HE10); Irritation-Eyes, Nose, Throat, Skin---Marked (HE14). Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system Notes: Vapor/air mixtures of bis(chloromethyl) ether (BCME) may be explosive. BCME is a contaminant (1 to 7%) of technical grade chloromethyl methyl ether (CMME). Both are no longer produced or sold in large quantities in the U.S. Date Last Revised: 06/20/2007 Literature Basis: NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: bis-Chloromethyl ether. International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): bis(Chloromethyl) ether. EPA Air Toxics Website: bis(Chloromethyl)ether (BCME). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network. No authors listed: bis(Chloromethyl) Ether and Technical-Grade Chloromethyl Methyl Ether (CAS Nos. 542-88-1 and 107-30-2). Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program, 2005. [209 KB, PDF] Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Bis(Chloromethyl) Ether. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 345-348. Weiss, W. and Nash, D.: An epidemic of lung cancer due to chloromethyl ethers. 30 years of observation. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 39(10): 1003-1009, 1997. Monitoring Methods used by OSHA Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method: sampling media: Two Midget Impingers in series, each containing 10 mL derivatizing reagent maximum volume: 50 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.5 L/min current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/ECD method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 10) method classification: Fully Validated note: Derivatizing reagent: 16 grams of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol and 4.4 grams of Sodium Methoxide dissolved in 1 Liter of Methanol. OSHA personnel may obtain sampling solution from SLTC. All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.