Agent Name |
beta-Chloroprene |
Alternative Name |
2-Chloro-1,3-butadiene |
CAS Number |
126-99-8 |
Formula |
C4-H5-Cl |
Major Category |
Plastics & Rubber |
Synonyms |
Chlorobutadiene; Chloroprene; 2-Chloro-1,3-butadiene; [NIOSH] |
Category |
Other Monomers |
Description |
Colorless liquid with a pungent, ether-like odor; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used to manufacture synthetic rubber (neoprene and polychloroprene latex); [ACGIH] |
Comments |
Chloroprene was toxic to workers at 80 ppm and dangerous at 200 ppm causing respiratory irritation and respiratory depression. Acute animal studies show evidence of liver injury. [ACGIH] A lachrymator; [HSDB] Can cause chemical burns; [NIOSH Guidelines for Chemical Hazards] In high-dose reproductive studies of animals, chloroprene or its metabolites can cause testicular damage. Increased spontaneous abortions were measured in one population study of exposed workers. [Frazier, p. 338-9] |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
TLV (ACGIH) |
10 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) |
25 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
300 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: Exposure to 973 ppm has resulted in nausea and giddiness in volunteers in 10 to 15 minutes [Nystrom 1948]. Extreme fatigue and unbearable chest pain has occurred following a month of exposure to concentrations ranging from 56 to 334 ppm [Nystrom 1948]. |
Vapor Pressure |
188 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
0.11 ppm |
Odor Threshold High |
138 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 3,270 ppm/4 hr |
Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from AIHA; Flash point = -4 deg F; [CHEMINFO] |
Half Life |
No reports found; [TDR, p. 334] |
Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
Adverse Effects |
Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
Lacrimator |
Yes |
Neurotoxin |
Other CNS Neurotoxin |
Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
IARC Carcinogen |
Possible Carcinogen |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: 2-CHLORO-1,3-BUTADIENE
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