1. OSHA Occupational Chemical Database
  2. ETHYLENE DICHLORIDE (1,2-DICHLOROETHANE)
Label abbreviations descriptions

ETHYLENE DICHLORIDE (1,2-DICHLOROETHANE)†

Chemical Identification
Chemical Identification
CAS # 107-06-2
Formula

C₂H₄Cl₂
Synonyms

1,2-dichloroethane; ethylene chloride; glycol dichloride
Physical Properties
Physical Properties
Physical description Colorless liquid with a pleasant, chloroform-like odor.
Boiling point 182°F Molecular weight 98.96
Freezing point/melting point -32°F Vapor pressure 64 mmHg
Flash point 56°F Vapor density 3.4
Specific gravity 1.24 Ionization potential 11.05 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL) 6.2% Upper explosive limit (UEL) 16%
NFPA health rating 2 NFPA fire rating 3
NFPA reactivity rating 0 NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.) 0874
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media CSC tube (100/50 mg) [SKC 226-01]
Sampling time*

50 min 
Sampling volume (TWA)*

10 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)*

0.2 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)*
 

 
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)*
 

 
Analytical method instruments GC-ECD
Method reference OSHA 3 (fully validated)
Notes
 

 
Special requirements
 

 

* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Wipe Method
Wipe Method
Sampler/Sampling media
 

 
Bulk Method
Bulk Method
 

 
On-Site Screening Techniques
On-Site Screening Techniques
Device Detector tube Detector tube
Model/Type Gastec 135L Matheson-Kitagawa 8014-235S
Sampling information
(see manufacturer instructions) 		0.5-2 strokes; 16-1040 ppm range; uncertainty 16% for 100-300 ppm, 8% for 300-1040 ppm 1 stroke; approx 5-160 ppm range
Exposure Limits
Exposure Limits
OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
NIOSH REL
Up to 10-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
ACGIH TLV©
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
CAL/OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
PEL-TWA
 

50 ppm (200 mg/m³)

 REL-TWA
 

1 ppm (4 mg/m³)

 TLV-TWA
 

10 ppm [1977]

 PEL-TWA
 

1 ppm (4 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL
 

 

 REL-STEL
 

2 ppm (8 mg/m³)

 TLV-STEL
 

 

 PEL-STEL
 

2 ppm (8 mg/m³)
PEL-C
 

100 ppm [5 min any 3 hrs]; 200 ppm (Peak)

 REL-C
 

 

 TLV-C
 

 

 PEL-C
 

200 ppm
Skin notation
 

N

 Skin notation
 

N

 Skin notation
 

N

 Skin notation
 

N
Notes:

See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-2.

OSHA Construction and Maritime Industry PEL is 50 ppm (200 mg/m³) as an 8 HR TWA only. See 29 CFR 1926.55 Table 1 and 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards.

 Notes:
 

CARCINOGEN (Ca): REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LOWEST FEASIBLE CONCENTRATION. See Appendix A and Appendix C, Supplementary Exposure Limits (Chloroethanes)..

 Notes:
 

 

 Notes:
 

 
Health factors:  See NIH-NLM PubChem. IDLH
 

50 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: IARC-2B, NIOSH-Ca, NTP-R, TLV-A4, EPA-B2 Notes:
 

Ca
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:
 

50 ppm/200 ppm/300 ppm
Additional Resources and Literature References
Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Ethylene dichloride

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Ethylene dichloride

Literature References

 
  • ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Ethylene dichloride. See annual publication for most recent information.
  • EPA Air Toxics Website: Ethylene Dichloride (1,2-Dichloroethane). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network
  • Bowler, R.M., Gysens, S. and Hartney, C.: Neuropsychological effects of ethylene dichloride exposure. Neurotoxicology 24(4-5): 553-562, 2003.
  • Guengerich, F.P., Kim, D.H. and Iwasaki, M.: Role of human cytochrome P-450 IIE1 in the oxidation of many low molecular weight cancer suspects. Chem. Res. Toxicol. 4(2): 168-179, 1991.
  • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Ethylene Dichloride. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp.1085-1087.

Last Updated Date : 06/06/2022