Ethyl Chloride Product Description

Ethyl chloride is a flammable gas at normal temperature and pressure.  It is a slightly irritating gas with a pungent, ether order.  When introduced to a flame, ethyl chloride tends to burn with a green tint.  Significant amounts of smoke accompany this green flame.  It is soluble in water and miscible in alcohol and ether.

Uses of ethyl chloride

Ethyl chloride has been used as a starting point in the production of tetraethyl lead.  Tetraethyl lead is used as an additive in gasoline to improve engine efficiency.  Ethyl chloride is also used as a refrigerant, solvent and alkylating agent (HSDB, 1995).  The medical field employs ethyl chloride as a topical anesthetic.  Because many of these uses have been phased out in developed nations, the demand for ethyl chloride has dropped of significantly over the last few decades.

One of the final wide-spread uses for ethyl chloride is treating cellulose to manufacture ethylcellulose.  Ethylcellulose is used to thicken paint and to improve the bonding of paints and other products during the application process.

SYNONYM(s): Chloroethane; Monochloroethane; Hydrochloric ether; Muriatic ether

DOT: UN1037 Flammable Gas (2.1)

DESCRIPTION:

Exposure Limits

OSHA GENERAL INDUSTRY PEL: 1000 ppm, 2600 mg/m3

OSHA CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PEL: 1000 ppm, 2600 mg/m3 TWA

ACGIH TLV: 100 ppm TWA (Skin); Appendix A3 (Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans)

NIOSH REL: Potential Carcinogen

SYMPTOM(s): Incoordination, inebriation; abdominal cramps; cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac arrest; liver, kidney damage

HEALTH EFFECTS: Narcosis (HE8)

ORGAN: Respiratory system, liver, kidneys, CVS