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Name: 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
Common Synonyms: Acetylene tetrachloride, Tetrachloroethane
CAS Number: 79-34-5
Appearance: Clear, colorless, oily liquid
Odor: Sweet, chloroform-like
Use: Solvent, intermediate in chemical manufacturing, laboratory processes
Acute Effects: Central nervous system depression, respiratory irritation, possible damage to liver and kidneys, nausea, dizziness
Chronic Effects: Liver damage, kidney dysfunction, central nervous system effects, possible carcinogen
Flammability: Low fire hazard but produces toxic fumes under fire conditions
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Hazard Symbols: T (Toxic), Xn (Harmful), N (Dangerous for environment)
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity, specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure, aquatic chronic hazard
Risk Phrases: Harmful if swallowed, may cause cancer, toxic by inhalation
Chemical Formula: C2H2Cl4
Purity: Usually above 99% in industrial samples, possible presence of minor impurities depending on source
Structure: Two carbon atoms, four chlorine atoms bonded as 1,1,2,2-cis/trans
Relevant Impurities: Can include traces of trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride byproducts in manufacturing
Inhalation: Move affected person into fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention for breathing difficulty or CNS depression
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, flush skin with plenty of water and mild soap, medical attention for persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if easy to do, medical evaluation if redness or pain continues
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth, seek emergency medical care immediately especially if symptoms develop
Symptoms to Watch: Confusion, headache, faintness, drowsiness, abdominal pain, vomiting, abnormal urine color
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, foam, water fog (avoid direct water jet to prevent spread of chemical)
Fire Hazards: Not highly flammable, but vapors can ignite at higher temperatures and decomposition releases toxic gases including hydrogen chloride, phosgene, and chlorine
Protective Gear: Firefighters need full protective clothing, including chemical-resistant gloves, and self-contained breathing apparatus
Combustion Products: Toxic gases such as hydrochloric acid, carbon monoxide, chlorine compounds
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ensure adequate ventilation, wear protective gloves and eyewear, avoid breathing vapors
Spill Cleanup: Absorb with inert materials like vermiculite, sand, or earth, scoop into sealed containers, ventilate area thoroughly
Environmental Protection: Prevent liquid from entering drains, surface water, or soil, notify appropriate authorities if contamination risk occurs
Decontamination: Wash spill site after material pickup has been completed, avoid dispersal of dust and aerosols
Safe Handling Practices: Use within closed systems whenever possible, minimize vapor release, handle only with proper personal protective equipment (PPE), avoid contact with skin or eyes, do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from heat, sparks, open flames, incompatible substances like strong oxidizers and alkali metals
Container Requirements: Use corrosion-resistant containers, check regularly for leaks or deterioration
Incompatibilities: Avoid storage with strong bases, alkali metals, and moisture
Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hoods, explosion-proof ventilation systems, restrict access to trained personnel
Respiratory Protection: Wear approved respirators if airborne concentration exceeds regulatory limits or during emergency cleanup
Skin Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile, neoprene), lab coats, face shields for potential splash risk
Eye Protection: Safety goggles, full-face shields where splashing likely
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL 1 ppm (parts per million), ACGIH TLV 1 ppm for 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
Other Protection: Emergency showers and eye wash stations in work area, regular monitoring for vapor presence
State: Liquid at room temperature
Color: Colorless
Odor: Sweet, ethereal aroma
Boiling Point: Approximately 146°C (295°F)
Melting Point: -44°C (-47°F)
Density: 1.59 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, miscible with most organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: 6 mm Hg at 20°C
Molecular Mass: 167.85 g/mol
Viscosity: Moderate, oily liquid
Flash Point: Above 66°C (closed cup)
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions and temperatures, degrades slowly under exposure to moisture or strong light
Decomposition Products: Forms toxic hydrogen chloride and phosgene gases on heating, especially in fire
Reactivity: Can react vigorously with strong bases, sodium, potassium, and other reactive metals
Incompatible Materials: Alkali metals, strong oxidizers, strong bases
Hazardous Polymerization: Not known to polymerize under normal conditions
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat) 250 mg/kg (highly toxic by ingestion), inhalation can lead to unconsciousness or death at high levels
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or recurring exposure damages liver, kidneys, and could impair central nervous system function
Carcinogenicity: IARC classifies as possible human carcinogen
Other Health Effects: Repeated exposure produced serious illness in historical industrial use; high historical incidents of chemical hepatitis among workers
Target Organs: Liver, kidneys, central nervous system
Common Symptoms: Weakness, confusion, headaches, nausea, vomiting, skin burns, dermatitis following skin contact
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to fish and invertebrates even at low concentrations, disrupts algae growth, long-term contamination of waterways
Soil Mobility: Low to moderate persistence, tends to volatilize but can leach into groundwater in sandy or porous soils
Bioaccumulation: Not persistent in organisms, but contributes to broader chlorinated solvent pollution
Degradability: Limited breakdown in natural settings, slow decomposition in soil and water
Other Environmental Concerns: Contamination traced to legacy pollution at certain industrial waste sites and improper disposal practices from mid-twentieth century
Preferred Disposal Methods: Incineration in commercial facilities equipped to handle halogenated solvent waste, high-temperature destruction to minimize toxic byproducts
Container Handling: Rinse thoroughly prior to recycling or disposal, all residues treated as hazardous waste
Compliance: Disposal must align with local, regional, and national regulations for hazardous substances—never pour down drains or in regular trash
Environmental Safeguards: Careful logging of quantities disposed, avoidance of atmospheric release, workplace tracking of waste streams
UN Number: UN1897
Danger Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Proper Shipping Name: Tetrachloroethane
Packing Group: II (Moderate hazard)
Transport Precautions: Ensure leak-proof sealed containers, keep away from incompatible materials, employ secondary containment during vehicle transport, shipments documented for carrier awareness of hazard
OSHA Regulation: Listed hazardous substance with exposure controls and medical surveillance in the workplace
RCRA Status: Recognized as hazardous waste when discarded
CERCLA List: Response reportable quantity for accidental releases
EU Regulation: Classified as dangerous for environment and health, subject to REACH reporting
Worker Protection: Strict employee monitoring in industries handling or producing substance, routine health surveillance mandated for chronic exposure settings
Public Health Advisory: Water systems required to monitor for presence because of legacy industrial releases, health warnings issued in affected communities
