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1,2,3-Trichloropropane
Description: 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (C.A.S. 96-18-4), or TCP, is a colorless liquid that is used primarily as a chemical intermediate in the production of polysulfone liquid polymers and dichloropropene, synthesis of hexafluoropropylene, and as a crosslinking agent in the synthesis of polysulfides. It has been used as a solvent, extractive agent, paint and varnish remover, and cleaning and degreasing agent. It is not a naturally occurring chemical. Chemical properties: 1,2,3-Trichloropropane has a strong acrid odor similar to chloroform. It evaporates almost as fast as water at normal temperatures. It is soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform, and is slightly soluble in water. It dissolves oils, waxes, fats, chlorinated rubber, and numerous resins. It is sensitive to prolonged exposure to light and heat. It is incompatible or reactive with chemically active metals, strong caustics, and oxidizers. When heated to decomposition, it yields highly toxic fumes of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen chloride gas, phosgene gas, and other chlorinated compounds. Synonyms for 1,2,3-trichloropropane are allyl trichloride, glycerol trichlorohydrin, glyceryl tricholorohydrin, and trichlorohydrin. Identification: Health effects: 1,2,3-Trichloropropane is now listed, for the first time, in the Eighth Report on Carcinogens (1998) as a substance reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. It is listed in the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) as an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) carcinogen. Exposure to it can cause central nervous system damage; liver damage; and eye, skin, and throat irritation. Members of the general population may be exposed to it by ingesting contaminated well water near a waste disposal site or agricultural lands treated with fumigants and nematocides that contain the compound as an impurity, or by inhaling contaminated air near manufacturing facilities or hazardous waste disposal facilities. Exposure Values Economics: U.S. manufacturers of 1,2,3-trichloropropane are Dow Chemical USA, Freeport, TX, and Shell Chemical Company, Deer Park, TX. It is also produced as a byproduct of the production of other chlorinated compounds such as dichloropropene, propylene chlorohydrin, dichlorohydrin, glycerol, and epichlorohydrin. Regulation: Under section 313 of the emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986, releases of more than one pound of 1,2,3-trichloropropane in to the air, water, and land must be reported annually and entered into the Toxic Release Inventory(TRI). National Overview of 1998 Toxics Release Inventory See EPA's Toxic Release Inventory. Notations: The NIOSH recommended exposure limits (RELs) are time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations for up to a 10-hour workday during a 40-hour workweek. A short-term exposure limit (STEL) is designated by "ST" preceding the value; unless noted otherwise, the STEL is a 15-minute TWA exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during a workday. A ceiling REL is designated by "C" preceding the value. Any substance that NIOSH considers to be a potential occupational carcinogen is designated by the notation "Ca." The OSHA permissible exposure limits (PEL) are found in Tables Z-1, Z-2, and Z-3 of the OSHA General Industry Air Contaminants Standard (29 CFR 1910.1000). Unless noted otherwise, PEL are TWA concentrations that must not be exceeded during any 8-hour workshift of a 40-hour workweek. A STEL is designated by "ST" preceding the value and is measured over a 15-minute period unless noted otherwise. OSHA ceiling concentrations (designated by "C" preceding the value) must not be exceeded during any part of the workday; if instantaneous monitoring is not feasible, the ceiling must be assessed as a 15-minute TWA exposure. In addition, there are a number of substances from Table Z-2 (e.g., beryllium, ethylene dibromide, etc.) that have PEL ceiling values that must not be exceeded except for specified excursions. For example, a "5-minute maximum peak in any 2 hours" means that a 5-minute exposure above the ceiling value, but never above the maximum peak, is allowed in any 2 hours during an 8-hour workday. Information Sources:
Originally published in Environment Writer by the National Safety Council. Reprinted with permission. Environment Writer Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography Office of Marine Programs Narragansett, RI 02882 Tel: 401-874-6211; Fax: 401-874-6485 Disclaimer * Copyright 2002-2006 * All rights reserved. * University of Rhode Island |