Substance fact sheet
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For an explanation of some of the terms used in this page, see the Glossary
| Substance name | 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane |
| CASR number | 630-20-6 |
| Molecular formula | C2H2 Cl4 |
| Synonyms | asym-tetrachloroethane |
Physical and chemical properties Physical properties: 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane is a colourless liquid solvent with a sweet odour. Melting Point (°C): -70.2 Boiling Point (°C): 130.5 Specific Gravity: 1.5532 Chemical properties: |
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Common uses 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane is used as a solvent, and in the production of wood stains and varnishes. |
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Sources of emissions Point sources The primary sources of 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane emissions are the industries that manufacture it or use it in production. Some of the industries that use it in production are the chemical industry and wood stain and varnish manufacturers . These are emissions to the air unless there is a spill. Diffuse sources, and point sources included in aggregated emissions data Other possible emitters of 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane (solvent use) are the manufacturers of fabricated metal parts. Natural sources 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane does not occur naturally in the environment. Mobile sources No mobile sources. Consumer products which may contain 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane Wood stains and varnishes. Information on other consumer products containing 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane is proprietary. |
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Health effects How might I be exposed to 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane? Workers in the industries that use or produce 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane are at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane. By what pathways might 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane enter my body? 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane can enter the body when a person breathes air containing it, or when a person drinks water that has been contaminated with the compound. It can pass through the skin. Relative health hazard On a health hazard spectrum of 0 - 3 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane registers 1.2. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to health, 2 represents a medium hazard and 1 is harmful to health. Factors that are taken into account to obtain this ranking include the extent of the material's toxic or poisonous nature and/or its lack of toxicity, and the evaluation of its tendency to cause, or not cause cancer and/or birth defects. It does not take into account exposure to the substance. Human exposure is reflected in the NPI rank given to this substance (see comparative data below). A substance that scores highly as a health hazard is arsenic at 2.3 and one of the lowest scores is ammonia at 1.0.  Health guidelines No national guidelines What effect might 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane have on my health? 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane may cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat. It is a Central Nervous System depressant. In high concentrations, in air, with closed or poorly ventilated areas, single exposures to 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane may cause central nervous system effects leading to dizziness, headache, sleepiness, confusion, nausea, difficulty in speaking or walking, and possibly unconsciousness, coma and death. Similar compounds have caused adverse liver and kidney effects, from high exposures or from long term exposures. 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane may also cause liver and kidney problems from high or long-term exposures. It will also defat the skin causing irritation and dryness. |
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Environmental effects Environmental Fate 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane enters the air during production, use and transporting it. 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane and its products of degradation contribute to photochemical smog. Although most of the 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane released is to the air, when released to the soil it will either evaporate or leach into the ground water (bores). Environmental Transport Industrial emissions of 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane can produce elevated concentrations in the atmosphere around the source. Since it takes a long time to breakdown in the air it is likely to spread far from where it is used. Most of the releases are to the air, releases to the soil and water quickly evaporate to the air. (This information is based upon the studies on 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane.) Relative hazard to the environment On an environmental spectrum of 0 - 3 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane registers 1. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to the environment and 0 a negligible hazard. Factors that are taken into account to obtain this ranking include the extent of the material's toxic or poisonous nature and/or its lack of toxicity, and the measure of its ability to remain active in the environment and whether it accumulates in living organisms. It does not take into exposure to the substance. Environmental exposure is reflected in the NPI rank for this substance (see comparative data below). A substance that scores highly as an environmental hazard is oxides of nitrogen at 3.0 and one of the lower scores is carbon monoxide at 0.8.  Environmental guidelines See the Additional Information page for current environmental guidelines. No national guidelines. What effect might 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane have on the environment? 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane will exist as a gas if released to the atmosphere. It evaporates from soil and water when they are exposed to the air. In the air when it reacts into other chemicals, it takes a long time. It has moderate acute (short-term) toxicity on aquatic life. It has moderate chronic (long-term) toxicity to aquatic life. Chronic and acute effects on plants, birds or land animals have not been determined. 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane does not bioaccumulate. (This information is based upon the studies on 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane.) |
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Comparative data NPI Rank Approximately 400 substances were considered for inclusion on the NPI reporting list. A risk ranking was given based on health and environmental hazard identification and human and environmental exposure to the substance. Some substances were grouped together at the same rank with 208 ranks in total. 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane was ranked as 86 out of the 208 ranks. Total hazard score (human health + environmental criteria) = 2.2.  |
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Sources of information used in preparing this fact sheet
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