Print
Chemical Datasheet
DICHLORODIMETHYL ETHER, SYMMETRICAL |
|
Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
- 542-88-1
|
|
|
none
|
NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
bis-Chloromethyl ether
|
|
NFPA 704
General Description
A colorless volatile liquid with a chloroform-like odor. Toxic by inhalation, skin absorption and ingestion. Dangerous fire risk - flash point below 0°F. Vapors much denser than air. Insoluble in water and denser than water. Used to make paints and varnish, and as a solvent.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
- Highly Flammable
- Water-Reactive
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Insoluble in water. Reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid & formaldehyde.
Fire Hazard
Container may explode in heat of fire. When heated to decomposition, it emits very toxic fumes of chlorides. Decomposed by water to hydrochloric acid and formaldehyde. Avoid water: hydrolyzes very rapidly (half life 10-40 seconds) on contact with water. Avoid decomposing heat, powerful oxidizers, areas of high fire hazard and moist air. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Acute toxicity is high by ingestion, inhalation, and skin irritation. Small quantities may cause death or permanent injury after very short exposure. Chloromethyl ether is an alkylating agent which is a recognized human carcinogen. There is a strong association between industrial exposure and excess lung cancer. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
DICHLORODIMETHYL ETHER is incompatible with the following: Acids, water [Note: Reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid & formaldehyde.] (NIOSH, 2024).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
- Ethers
- Halogenated Organic Compounds
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank 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, 2024)
Firefighting
Move container from fire area if you can do so without risk. Fight fire from maximum distance. Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material.
Small fires: dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or foam. Large fires: water spray, fog, or foam. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:
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. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors.
SMALL SPILL: Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers for later disposal. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.
LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for bis-Chloromethyl ether:
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.
• DAILY - The worker should wash daily at the end of each work shift, and prior to eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).
Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.
Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Note: Chloromethyl ether is a recognized human carcinogen.
Signs and Symptoms of Chloromethyl Ether Exposure: Acute exposure to chloromethyl ether may produce the following signs and symptoms: severe irritation and burning of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Sore throat, fever, chills, dypsnea (difficulty breathing), chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary edema with productive cough may be noted.
Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to chloromethyl ether may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.
Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to chloromethyl ether.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.
Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to chloromethyl ether.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.
Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize!
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
6. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)
Physical Properties
Flash Point:
Less than 66.2F
(EPA, 1998)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point:
-42.7°F
(EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure:
30 mmHg
at 71.6°F
(EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air):
4
(EPA, 1998)
- Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity:
1.315
at 68°F
(EPA, 1998)
- Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point:
223°F
at 760 mmHg
(EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight:
114.97
(EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility:
Reacts with water
(NIOSH, 2024)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH:
A potential occupational carcinogen.
(NIOSH, 2024)
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
Final AEGLs for Bis (chloromethyl) ether (542-88-1)
Exposure Period |
AEGL-1 |
AEGL-2 |
AEGL-3 |
10 minutes |
NR |
0.055 ppm |
0.23 ppm |
30 minutes |
NR |
0.055 ppm |
0.23 ppm |
60 minutes |
NR |
0.044 ppm |
0.18 ppm |
4 hours |
NR |
0.028 ppm |
0.11 ppm |
8 hours |
NR |
0.02 ppm |
0.075 ppm |
(NAC/NRC, 2024)
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
Chemical |
ERPG-1 |
ERPG-2 |
ERPG-3 |
Bis (Chloromethyl) Ether (542-88-1)
|
ID |
0.1 ppm |
0.5 ppm |
(AIHA, 2022)
PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
Chemical |
PAC-1 |
PAC-2 |
PAC-3 |
Dichloromethyl ether; (bis(Chloromethyl)ether) (542-88-1)
|
0.004 ppm |
0.044 ppm |
0.18 ppm |
(DOE, 2024)
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 |
Bis(chloromethyl) ether |
542-88-1 |
100 pounds |
10 pounds |
10 pounds |
313 |
P016 |
1000 pounds |
Chloromethyl ether |
542-88-1 |
100 pounds |
10 pounds |
10 pounds |
X |
P016 |
1000 pounds |
Dichloromethyl ether |
542-88-1 |
100 pounds |
10 pounds |
10 pounds |
X |
P016 |
1000 pounds |
Methane, oxybis[chloro- |
542-88-1 |
100 pounds |
10 pounds |
10 pounds |
X |
P016 |
1000 pounds |
(EPA List of Lists, 2024)
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 |
Chloromethyl ether; [Methane, oxybis(chloro-)] |
542-88-1 |
1.00 % |
1000 pounds |
toxic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(CISA, 2007)
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
Chemical Name |
CAS Number |
Threshold Quantity (TQ) |
Bis(Chloromethyl) Ether |
542-88-1 |
100 pounds |
(OSHA, 2019)
Alternate Chemical Names
- ALPHA,ALPHA'-DICHLORODIMETHYL ETHER
- BCME
- BIS(CHLOROMETHYL) ETHER
- BIS-CHLOROMETHYL ETHER
- BIS-CME
- CHLORO(CHLOROMETHOXY) METHANE
- CHLOROMETHYL ETHER
- DICHLORINATED METHYL OXIDE
- DICHLORODIMETHYL ETHER
- DICHLORODIMETHYL ETHER, SYMMETRICAL
- 1,1'-DICHLORODIMETHYL ETHER
- DICHLOROMETHYL ETHER
- DIMETHYL-1,1'-DICHLOROETHER
- ETHER, BIS(CHLOROMETHYL)
- METHANE, OXYBIS(CHLORO-
- METHANE, OXYBIS[CHLORO-
- MONOCHLOROMETHYL ETHER
- OXYBIS(CHLOROMETHANE)
- OXYBIS[CHLOROMETHANE]
- SYM-DICHLORO-DIMETHYL ETHER
- SYM-DICHLOROMETHYL ETHER