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DESIGNATIONS
CAS No.: 106-89-8
Registry names: Epichlorohydrin
Chemical name: 1-Chloro-2,3-epoxypropane
Synonyms, Trade names: ECH, chloromethyloxirane, 2,3-epoxypropyl chloride, oxirane
Chemical name (German): Epichlorhydrin
Chemical name (French): Epichlorhydrine
Appearance: colourless liquid with chloroform-like odour
BASIC CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL DATA
| Empirical formula: | C3H5ClO |
| Rel. molecular mass: | 92.53 g |
| Density: | 1.18 g/cm3 |
| Relative gas density: | 3.2 |
| Boiling point: | 116.5°C |
| Melting point: | -48°C |
| Vapour pressure: | 1.6 x 103 Pa |
| Flash point: | 26°C |
| Ignition temperature: | 385°C |
| Explosion limits: | 2.3-34.4 vol% |
| Solvolysis/solubility: | in water: 60 g/l soluble in ethanol and ether |
| Conversion factors: | 1 ppm = 3.83 mg/m3 1 mg /m3 = 0.26 ppm |
ORIGIN AND USE
Usage:
Epichlorohydrin is used in the rubber industry as a solvent and
as an initial material in the manufacture of epoxy and phenoxy
resins. Epichlorohydrin is likewise used for various types of
organic synthesis.
Origin/derivation:
Epichlorohydrin is not found naturally. It is produced
synthetically by way of the conversion of propylene with chlorine
gas at 600°C and hydrolysis with calcium hydroxide. The
technical product always contains certain impurities.
Toxicity
| Mammals: | ||
| Rat: | LD50 40 mg/kg, oral | acc. KOCH, 1989 |
| LCLo 250 ppm, inhalation (4 h) | acc. KOCH, 1989 | |
| Mouse: | LD50 178 mg/kg, oral | acc. KOCH, 1989 |
| Aquatic organisms: | ||
| Goldfish: | LC50 23 mg/l (24 h) | acc. KOCH, 1989 |
| Water flea: | LC50 30 mg/l | acc. KOCH, 1989 |
| Algae: | 6 mg/l toxic limit concentration | acc. KOCH, 1989 |
Characteristic effects:
Humans/mammals: Epichlorohydrin is a toxic and carcinogenic substance with mutagenic effect. If it has been resorbed through the skin, the symptoms do not appear immediately. Acute poisoning causes irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, respiratory paralysis and damage to the kidneys and liver. Epichlorohydrin has an adverse effect on the lungs, the liver and the central nervous system. Chronic damage is indicated by allergenic effects and changes to the eyes and lungs.
ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOUR
Environmental accumulation is moderate. The toxicity is most pronounced in water because of the water solubility. Epichlorohydrin is a mobile substance which is found both in the hydrosphere and in the atmosphere.
Hydrolysis produces pronounced metabolic degradation. Incomplete combustion gives rise to the formation of phosgene.
ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS
| Medium/ acceptor | Sector | Country/ organ. | Status |
Value | Cat. | Remarks | Source |
| Water: | Drinkw | DDR | (L) |
10 µg/l | acc. KOCH, 1989 | ||
| Air: | Emiss. | D | L |
5 mg/m3 | mass flow ³ 25 g/h | acc. SCHMEZER et. al., 1987 | |
| DDR | L |
0.2 mg/m3 | Short-time value | acc. HORN, 1989 | |||
| DDR | L |
0.06 mg/m3 | Long-time value | acc. HORN, 1989 | |||
| Workp | AUS | (L) |
20 mg/m3 | 1978 | acc. SCHMEZER et. al., 1987 | ||
| Workp | B | (L) |
20 mg/m3 | 1978 | acc. SCHMEZER et. al., 1987 | ||
| Workp | CH | (L) |
19 mg/m3 | 1978 | acc. SCHMEZER et. al., 1987 | ||
| Workp | D | L |
12 mg/m3 | TRK | DFG, 1989 | ||
| Workp | DDR | (L) |
10 mg/m3 | acc. HORN, 1989 | |||
| Workp | DDR | (L) |
5 mg/m3 | acc. HORN, 1989 | |||
| Workp | NL | (L) |
4 mg/m3 | 1978 | acc. SCHMEZER et. al., 1987 | ||
| Workp | PL | (L) |
1 mg/m3 | 1976 | acc. SCHMEZER et. al., 1987 | ||
| Workp | RO | (L) |
10 mg/m3 | Max. impact | acc. SCHMEZER et. al., 1987 | ||
| Workp | S | (L) |
2 mg/m3 | 1978 | acc. SCHMEZER et. al., 1987 | ||
| Workp | SF | (L) |
19 mg/m3 | 1975 | acc. SCHMEZER et. al., 1987 | ||
| Workp | SU | (L) |
1 mg/m3 | PDK | acc. SORBE, 1989 | ||
| Workp | USA | (L) |
10 mg/m3 | TWA | Skin | ACGIH, 1986 |
Assessment/comments
Epichlorohydrin is extremely toxic in water and has been proven to be carcinogenic and mutagenic. Dumping or incineration should be avoided.