Agent Name |
Ethyl chloride |
Alternative Name |
Chloroethane |
CAS Number |
75-00-3 |
Formula |
C2-H5-Cl |
Major Category |
Solvents |
Synonyms |
Aethylchlorid [German]; Aethylchloride [German]; Aethylis chloridum; Anodynon; Chelen; Chloorethaan [Dutch]; Chlorene; Chlorethyl; Chloroaethan [German]; Chloroethane; Chlorure d'ethyle [French]; Chloryl; Chloryl anesthetic; Cloretilo; Cloroetano [Italian]; Cloruro di etile [Italian]; Dublofix; Ethane, chloro-; Ether chloratus; Ether chloridum; Ether hydrochloric; Ether muriatic; Ethyl chloride; Etylu chlorek [Polish]; Hydrochloric ether; Kelene; Monochlorethane; Monochloroethane; Muriatic ether; Narcotile; [ChemIDplus] UN1037 |
Category |
Chlorinated Aliphatic |
Description |
Colorless gas or liquid (below 54 degrees F) with a pungent, ether-like odor; Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, a solvent, an alkylating agent, a propellant in aerosols, and an anesthetic; [ACGIH] |
Comments |
Liver injury has been documented in studies of experimental animals. [ACGIH] Ethyl chloride is in the list of "Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation" published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers. [Reference #1] |
Reference Link |
Volatile Substance Abuse |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
TLV (ACGIH) |
100 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) |
1000 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
3800 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: It has been reported that 13,000 ppm for 21 minutes caused no difficulty in walking or balancing but 19,000 ppm caused weak analgesia and slight dizziness after 12 minutes [Davidson 1926]. |
Vapor Pressure |
1000 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
4.2 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 152,000 mg/m3/2H |
Explanatory Notes |
IDLH = 10% LEL (lower explosive limit); Odor threshold from NJ "Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet"; Flash point = -50 deg C; |
Reference Link |
ATSDR ToxFAQs - Chloroethane |
Flammability (NFPA) |
4: burns readily |
Adverse Effects |
Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
IARC Carcinogen |
Not Classifiable |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: ETHYL CHLORIDE
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