Hexachloroethane

IDLH Documentation

CAS number: 67­72­1

NIOSH REL: 1 ppm (10 mg/m3) TWA [skin]; NIOSH considers hexachloroethane to be a potential occupational carcinogen as defined by the OSHA carcinogen policy [29 CFR 1990].

Current OSHA PEL: 1 ppm (10 mg/m3) TWA [skin]

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 1 ppm (9.7 mg/m3) TWA [skin], A2

Description of Substance: Colorless crystals with a camphor­like odor.

LEL:. . Noncombustible Solid

Original (SCP) IDLH: 300 ppm

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: Based on the toxicological data relating to potential liver injury [Gleason et al. 1969; Elkins 1959], 300 ppm, the saturated vapor pressure at 20 C [Kirk­Othmer 1964] has been chosen as the IDLH.

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

Lethal dose data:


Species

Reference

Route
LD50

(mg/kg)
LDLo

(mg/kg)

Adjusted LD
Derived value
Rat

G. pig
Weeks et al. 1979

Weeks et al. 1979
oral

oral
4,460

4,970
-----

-----
3,173 ppm

3,536 ppm
317 ppm

354 ppm


Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.

Revised IDLH: 300 ppm [Unchanged]

Basis for revised IDLH: No inhalation toxicity data are available on which to base an IDLH for hexachloroethane. Therefore, based on acute oral toxicity data in animals [Weeks et al. 1979], the original IDLH for hexachloroethane (300 ppm) is not being revised at this time. [Note: NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the "most protective" respirators be worn for hexachloroethane at concentrations above 1 ppm.]


REFERENCES:

1. Elkins HB [1959]. Hexachloroethane, C2Cl6. In: The chemistry of industrial toxicology. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John B. Wiley & Sons, Inc., pp. 142­143.

2. Gleason MN, Gosselin RE, Hodge HC, Smith RP [1969]. Clinical toxicology of commercial products. 3rd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins Company, pp. II­76, III­65 to III­67.

3. Kirk­Othmer [1964]. Encyclopedia of chemical technology. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 5:166.

4. Weeks MH, Angerhofer KA, Bishop R, et al. [1979]. The toxicity of hexachloroethane in laboratory animals. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 40:187­199.
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