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Chemical Datasheet

1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE

6.1 - Poison

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 71-55-6   (1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE)
  • 2831
  • Poison
  • TCE
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Methyl chloroform
  • 1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
1
2 0
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 1 Must be preheated before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant odor. May irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. In high concentrations the vapors may have a narcotic effect. Nonflammable, but may decompose and emit toxic chloride fumes if exposed to high temperatures. Used as a solvent.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water. Absorbs some water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic and irritating gases are generated in fires. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
INHALATION: symptoms range from loss of equilibrium and incoordination to loss of consciousness; high concentration can be fatal due to simple asphyxiation combined with loss of consciousness. INGESTION: produces effects similar to inhalation and may cause some feeling of nausea. EYES: slightly irritating and lachrymatory. SKIN: defatting action may cause dermatitis. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE decomposes in the presence of chemically active metals. This includes aluminum, magnesium and their alloys. It will react violently with dinitrogen tetraoxide, oxygen, liquid oxygen, sodium and sodium-potassium alloys. It will also react violently with acetone, zinc and nitrates. It can react with sodium hydroxide. It is incompatible with strong oxidizers and strong bases. Mixtures with potassium or its alloys are shock-sensitive and may explode on light impact. This chemical can react with an aqueous suspension of calcium hydroxide, and with chlorine in sunlight. It will attack some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. Upon contact with hot metal or on exposure to ultraviolet radiation, it will decompose to form irritant gases. A cobalt/molybdenum-alumina catalyst will generate a substantial exotherm on contact with its vapor at ambient temperatures. Hazardous reactions also occur with (aluminum oxide + heavy metals). (NTP, 1992).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 160 Polymerizable warning [Halogenated Solvents]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 160 Polymerizable warning [Halogenated Solvents]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.

LARGE FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam or water spray. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 160 Polymerizable warning [Halogenated Solvents]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

SMALL LIQUID SPILL: Pick up with sand, earth or other non-combustible absorbent material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Methyl chloroform:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Methyl chloroform 71-55-6 Liquid >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
Methyl trichloromethane 71-55-6 Liquid >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
Trichloro ethane, 1,1,1- 71-55-6 Liquid >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Volatile chemicals have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting which increases the medical problems. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C2H3Cl3
Flash Point: greater than 200°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 7.5 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 12.5 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: 932°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -26.5°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 100 mmHg at 68°F ; 125 mmHg at 77°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 4.6 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.31 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 165.4°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 133.4 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 68°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 11.00 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 700 ppm (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (71-55-6)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 230 ppm 930 ppm 4200 ppm
30 minutes 230 ppm 670 ppm 4200 ppm
60 minutes 230 ppm 600 ppm 4200 ppm
4 hours 230 ppm 380 ppm 2700 ppm
8 hours 230 ppm 310 ppm 2100 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
1,1,1-Trichloroethane (71-55-6) 350 ppm star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 700 ppm 3500 ppm
star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Trichloroethane, 1,1,1-; (Methyl chloroform) (71-55-6) 230 ppm 600 ppm 4200 ppm LEL = 75000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
1,1,1-Trichloroethane 71-55-6 1000 pounds 313 U226
Methyl chloroform 71-55-6 1000 pounds X U226

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names