July 1999 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Bis(chloromethyl) Ether |
(Éter
Bis(Clorometílico)) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about bis(chloromethyl) ether. For
more information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center
at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries
about hazardous substances and their health effects. This
information is important because this substance may harm you.
The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend
on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits
and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Bis(chloromethyl)
ether is only used in small amounts inside fully enclosed
systems to make other chemicals. Use of this chemical
is highly restricted, so chances for exposure are very
low. Bis(chloromethyl) ether is highly irritating to the
skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs and it is a carcinogen.
Bis(chloromethyl) ether has been found at 2 of the 1,518
National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). |
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What
is bis(chloromethyl) ether? |
Bis(chloromethyl) ether is a clear liquid
with a strong unpleasant odor. It does not occur naturally.
It dissolves easily in water, but degrades rapidly and readily
evaporates into air.
In the past, it was used to make several
types of polymers, resins, and textiles, but its use is now
highly restricted. Only small quantities of bis(chloromethyl)
ether are produced in the United States. The small quantities
that are produced are only used in enclosed systems to make
other chemicals. However, small quantities of bis(chloromethyl)
ether may be formed as an impurity during the production of
another chemical, chloromethyl methyl ether.
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What
happens to bis(chloromethyl) ether when it enters the environment? |
- Bis(chloromethyl) ether released to air can be broken
down by reactions with other chemicals and sunlight, or
it can be removed by rain.
- In water, it is broken down quickly to formaldehyde and
hydrochloric acid.
- When released to soil, some will evaporate to the air
but most of it will be broken down by reacting with soil
moisture.
- Bis(chloromethyl) ether does not build up in the food
chain and does not last long in the environment.
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How
might I be exposed to bis(chloromethyl) ether? |
- Because bis(chloromethyl) ether does not last long in
the environment and because of its restricted use, you are
not likely to be exposed to this chemical.
- The most likely way to be exposed is by breathing it
in the air if you work at, or live near, an industrial facility
that makes or uses chemicals that may contain bis(chloromethyl)
ether as a contaminant.
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How
can bis(chloromethyl) ether affect my health? |
Bis(chloromethyl) ether causes irritation
to the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs. In some cases, damage
to the lungs can be severe enough to cause death. Breathing
low concentrations will cause coughing and nose, and throat
irritation.
Animal studies show effects similar to
those observed in people. These effects include irritation
to the skin, nose, and lungs and lung damage (swelling and
bleeding). Application of the liquid to the skin of mice and
rabbits has produced hair loss, bleeding, swelling, and destruction
of tissue.
We do not know if bis(chloromethyl) ether
causes reproductive effects or birth defects in people or
animals.
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How
likely is bis(chloromethyl) ether to cause cancer? |
There is evidence that bis(chloromethyl)
ether causes lung cancer and other tumors in people and animals.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined
that bis(chloromethyl) ether is a known human carcinogen.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to bis(chloromethyl)
ether? |
Because bis(chloromethyl) ether is broken
down rapidly in the body, there are no specific tests to determine
if someone has been exposed to this chemical. The only available
medical tests involve physical examination of the nose and
throat, chest x-rays, or other tests to identify damage to
the respiratory tract. However, these tests are not specific
for this chemical and can only be used after damage has occurred.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
The EPA recommends that levels in lakes
and streams should be limited to 0.0000038 parts per billion
parts of water (0.0000038 ppb) to prevent possible health
effects from drinking water or eating fish contaminated with
bis(chloromethyl) ether. Any release to the environment greater
than 10 pounds of bis(chloromethyl) ether must be reported
to the EPA.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has set a limit of 1 ppb as the highest acceptable
level in workplace air, and strict controls have been established
to minimize exposure to this chemical.
The federal recommendations have been
updated as of July 1999.
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Glossary |
Carcinogen: A substance that can
cause cancer.
CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service.
Evaporate: To change into a vapor
or a gas.
National Priorities List: A list
of the nation's worst hazardous waste sites.
Polymer: Chemical compounds consisting
of repeating structural units.
ppb: Parts per billion.
Tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1989. Toxicological Profile for bis(chloromethyl) ether. Atlanta, GA: U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
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Where can I get more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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