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Hexachloroethane
May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
CAS number: 67–72–1
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 camphor-like 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 [Kirk-Othmer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RatG. pig | Weeks et al. 1979Weeks et al. 1979 | oraloral | 4,4604,970 | ———- | 3,173 ppm3,536 ppm | 317 ppm354 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. 142-143.
2. Gleason MN, Gosselin RE, Hodge HC, Smith RP [1969]. Clinical toxicology of commercial products. 3rd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins Company, pp. II-76, III-65 to III-67.
3. Kirk-Othmer [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 40:187-199.