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Epichlorohydrin
Description: Epichlorohydrin (C.A.S. 106-89-8) is a colorless liquid with an irritating, chloroform-like odor. It is used in the production of various synthetic materials, including epoxy resins (68% of the epichlorohydrin produced), synthetic glycerin (19%), elastomers (3%), and others (10%). Other products produced from epichlorohydrin include glycidyl ethers, some types of modified epoxy resins, wet-strength resins for the paper industry, and water-treatment resins. It has been used to cross-link starch in food. Epichlorohydrin is also used in the production of Zeospan, a specialty polyether rubber used for car parts. There is widespread use of epichlorohydrin as a stabilizer. Chemical properties: Epichlorohydrin is slightly soluble in water; miscible with ethanol, diethyl ether, and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents; and insoluble in petroleum hydrocarbons. It hydrolyzes slowly at room temperature and more rapidly in the presence of heat or traces of acid. When heated to decomposition, epichlorohydrin emits toxic fumes of hydrochloric acid and other chlorinated compounds. It is incompatible with strong oxidizers, strong acids, certain salts, caustics, zinc, aluminum, isopropylamine, potassium tert-butoxide, trichloroethylene, and water. It may polymerize in the presence of strong acids and bases, particularly when hot. The commercial product is 98% pure with a maximum of .2% water. Synonyms for epichlorohydrin are 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane; 2-chloropropylene oxide; gamma-chloropropylene oxide; 3-chloro-1,2-epoxypropane; chloromethyl)ethylene oxide; alpha-epichlorohydrin; (DL)-alpha-epichlorohydrin; 1,2-epoxy-3-chloropropane; 2,3-epoxypropyl chloride; 3-chloro-1,2-propylene oxide; 2(chloromethyl) oxirane; and glycerol epichlorohydrin. Identification: Health effects: Epichlorohydrin is classified as a substance that may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen, according to the Sixth Annual Report on Carcinogens, National Toxicology Program, U.S. Department of Health and Human Service. It is also classified as a carcinogen by the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). It can produce at least temporary sterility. In acute poisoning, death may be caused by respiratory paralysis. In chronic poisoning, there is kidney damage. Exposure to epichlorohydrin can be through ingestion, inhalation, absorption through the skin, and skin or eye contact. Exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, respiratory distress, cough, cyanosis, inflammation in the eyes and lungs, and painful irritation and sensitization of the skin. Exposure Values: Economics: U.S. manufacturers of epichlorohydrin are Dow Chemical USA, Hq, Freeport, TX and Shell Oil Co, Deer Park, TX. Regulations: EPA regulates epichlorohydrin under the Clean Water Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund); Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act; and Toxic Substances Control Act. The Food and Drug Administration regulates epichlorohydrin as a food additive. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also regulates it under the Hazard Communication Standard and as a chemical hazard in laboratories. Under Section 302 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986, epichlorohydrin is listed as an Extremely Hazardous Substance and has a threshold planning quantity of 1000 lbs. Under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986, releases of more than one pound of epichlorohydrin into the air, water, and land must be reported annually and entered into the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Facilities having a threshold quantity of 20,000 lbs of epichlorohydrin are subject to the Risk Management Program Rule (RMP), Section 112r of the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act. The RMP toxic endpoint for epichlorohydrin is .049 mg/L. 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 |