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Chemical Datasheet

CHLOROPICRIN AND METHYL CHLORIDE MIXTURE

2.3 - Poisonous gas

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 76-06-2   (CHLOROPICRIN)
  • 74-87-3   (METHYL CHLORIDE)
  • 1582
  • Poison Gas
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Chloropicrin
  • METHYL CHLORIDE
  • TRICHLORONITROMETHANE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
4
4 3
Blue Health 4 Can be lethal.
Red Flammability 4 Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
Yellow Instability 3 Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction but requires a strong initiating source or must be heated under confinement before initiation.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
Chloropicrin and methyl chloride mixture is a colorless gas with an intense, penetrating odor. It is shipped as a liquefied gas under its own vapor pressure. Methyl chloride is a flammable gas and chloropicrin is noncombustible. The mixture can separate with the chloropicrin settling into low areas. The mixture is very toxic by inhalation. Prolonged exposure of the containers to fire or heat may result in their violent rupturing and rocketing.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Slowly decomposes in water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 119 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic - Flammable]:

Flammable; may be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May form explosive mixtures with air. Ethylene oxide (UN1040) may react explosively even in the absence of air. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Some of these materials may react violently with water. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and flammable gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from 119 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic - Flammable]:

TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Some may cause severe skin burns and eye damage. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
CHLOROPICRIN is a powerful irritant affecting all body surfaces, more toxic than chlorine. It can be shocked into detonation. When heated to decomposition, it emits highly toxic fumes of chlorine gas and nitrogen oxides [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 821]. It produces a violent reaction with aniline [Jackson, K. E., Chem. Rev., 1934, 14, p. 269] or strong bases in the presence of alcohols (alkoxides) [ Ramsey, B. G., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1966, 88, p. 3059].

METHYL CHLORIDE can react vigorously with oxidizing agents. May react explosively with sodium, potassium, sodium-potassium alloy, magnesium, zinc. Reacts with aluminum powder in the presence of catalytic amounts of aluminum chloride to form pyrophoric trimethylaluminum. When heated to decomposition, it emits highly toxic fumes of chlorine [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 176].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 119 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic - Flammable]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1582 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 119 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic - Flammable]:

DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. FOR CHLOROSILANES, DO NOT USE WATER; use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: 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. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. 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 119 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic - Flammable]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam to reduce vapors. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 119 [Gases - Toxic - Flammable]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Chlor trinitromethan 76-06-2 Liquid >480 >480
Chloro picrin 76-06-2 Liquid >480 >480
Nitro chlormethan 76-06-2 Liquid >480 >480
Methyl chloride (-70°C, liquid) 74-87-3 Liquid >180
Methyl chloride (gaseous) 74-87-3 Vapor imm >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.
"imm" indicates immediate; having a normalized breakthrough time of 10 minutes or less.

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
Excerpt from 119 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic - Flammable]:

Call 911 or emergency medical service. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; wash face and mouth before giving artificial respiration. Use a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. In case of contact with liquefied gas, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing if adhering to skin. Keep victim calm and warm. Keep victim under observation. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. (ERG, 2020)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • CCl3NO2
  • CH3Cl
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: data unavailable
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 2 ppm [From NPG: Chloropicrin] (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Methyl chloride (74-87-3)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR 1100 ppm 3800 ppm
30 minutes NR 1100 ppm 3800 ppm
60 minutes NR 910 ppm 3000 ppm
4 hours NR 570 ppm 1900 ppm
8 hours NR 380 ppm 1300 ppm
NR = Not recommended due to insufficient data
(NAC/NRC, 2023)
Interim AEGLs for Chloropicrin (76-06-2)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 0.05 ppm 0.15 ppm 2 ppm
30 minutes 0.05 ppm 0.15 ppm 2 ppm
60 minutes 0.05 ppm 0.15 ppm 1.4 ppm
4 hours 0.05 ppm 0.15 ppm 0.79 ppm
8 hours 0.05 ppm 0.15 ppm 0.58 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Chloropicrin (76-06-2) 0.075 ppm 0.15 ppm 1.5 ppm
Methyl Chloride (74-87-3) 150 ppm star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 1000 ppm 3000 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
Chloropicrin; (Trichloronitromethane) (76-06-2) 0.05 ppm 0.15 ppm 1.4 ppm
Methyl chloride (74-87-3) 150 ppm 910 ppm 3000 ppm LEL = 81000 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
Chloromethane 74-87-3 100 pounds 313 U045 10000 pounds
Chloropicrin 76-06-2 313
Methane, chloro- 74-87-3 100 pounds X U045 10000 pounds
Methyl chloride 74-87-3 100 pounds X U045 10000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Methyl chloride; [Methane, chloro-] 74-87-3 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Chloropicrin 76-06-2 500 pounds
Chloropicrin and Methyl Chloride mixture None 1500 pounds
Methyl Chloride 74-87-3 15000 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names