| Agent Name |
Vinyl chloride |
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| Alternative Name |
Chloroethylene |
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| CAS Number |
75-01-4 |
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| Formula |
C2-H3-Cl |
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| Major Category |
Plastics & Rubber |
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| Synonyms |
Chloroethene; Chloroethylene; Ethylene monochloride; Monochloroethene; Monochloroethylene; VC; Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM); [NIOSH] UN1086 |
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| Category |
Vinyl Halides |
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| Description |
Colorless gas or liquid (below 7 degrees F) with a pleasant odor at high concentrations; Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
The highest exposures to vinyl chloride occurred in polyvinyl chloride polymerization plants during reactor vessel cleaning. [LaDou, p. 478] |
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| Comments |
Increased incidence of liver cancer (angiosarcoma) was found in workers who had high exposure to vinyl chloride monomer while cleaning reaction vessels. [LaDou, p. 233] There is limited evidence that vinyl chloride caused increased birth defects in exposed human populations. [ATSDR Case Studies #29] Vinyl chloride was once evaluated as an anesthetic; it can cause central nervous system depression after inhalation of high concentrations. [ATSDR Medical Management] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] |
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| Restricted |
See 29 CFR 1910.1017; |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR Medical Management - Vinyl chloride |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
1 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
1 ppm, STEL(OSHA) = 5 ppm(avg. not exceeding any 15 min) |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
10 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
20 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 180,000/15m |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from AIHA; Flash point = -78 deg C; |
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| Half Life |
Based on limited data: "fairly rapid"; [TDR, p. 1224] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR - ToxFAQs - Vinyl Chloride |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
4: burns readily |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Known Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: VINYL CHLORIDE
|
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