2,2'-DICHLORODIETHYL ETHER

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
2 3 1	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	2	Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
	Instability	1	Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
	Special

A clear colorless liquid with a sweet pleasant or nauseating odor. Flash point 131°F. Denser than water and insoluble in water. Toxic by inhalation and skin absorption. Used in cleaning compounds, paints, textile finishing, and as a general solvent.

• Peroxidizable Compound

Flammable. Insoluble in water. Reacts slowly with water to form HCl. Oxidizes readily in air to form unstable peroxides that may explode spontaneously [Bretherick, 1979 p.151-154].

May form phosgene or hydrogen chloride in fires. There is danger of explosion when ethers are heated or exposed to flames or sparks. Ethers tend to form peroxides; when ethers containing peroxides are heated, they can detonate. May be ignited by heat, sparks, or flames. Container may explode in heat of fire. Vapor explosion and poison hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Decomposes in the presence of moisture to form hydrochloric acid. Emits toxic fumes when heated to decomposition. Reacts vigorously with oleum and chlorosulfonic acid. Ethers tend to form peroxides upon standing. Heating peroxide-containing ethers can cause detonation. (EPA, 1998)

This material is very toxic; the probable oral lethal dose is 50-500 mg/kg, or between 1 teaspoonful and 1 ounce for a 150 pound person. It can be a central nervous system depressant in high concentrations. It is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose, and respiratory passages. It can penetrate the skin to cause serious and even fatal poisoning. Poisonous; may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin. (EPA, 1998)

2,2'-DICHLORODIETHYL ETHER may form phosgene or hydrogen when heated to high temperature. Oxidizes readily in air to form unstable peroxides that may explode spontaneously [Bretherick, 1979 p.151-154]. Mixing in equal molar portions with the following substances in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase: chlorosulfonic acid and oleum [NFPA 1991].

• Ethers
• Halogenated Organic Compounds

No information available.

Excerpt from 152 [Substances - Toxic (Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

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)

Wear full protective clothing. Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible.

Use water, foam, mist, fog, spray, or dry chemical. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Small fires: dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or foam. Large fires: water spray, fog, or foam. Move container from fire area if you can do so without risk. Spray cooling water on containers that are exposed to flames until well after fire is out. Fight fire from maximum distance. Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from 152 [Substances - Toxic (Combustible)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Cover with plastic sheet to prevent spreading. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Dichloroethyl 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.

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.

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, 2023)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Dichloro ethyl ether	111-44-4	Liquid				>480	>480	>480	>480	>480	>480

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)

Signs and Symptoms of Dichloroethyl Ether Exposure: Acute exposure to dichloroethyl ether may produce the following signs and symptoms: irritation of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes, profuse tearing, coughing, retching, and vomiting. Contact with skin and eyes may cause burns. Respiratory signs may include irritation of the respiratory tract, which may progress to pulmonary edema.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to dichloroethyl 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 dichloroethyl 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 dichloroethyl 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. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Vomiting may be induced with syrup of Ipecac. If elapsed time since ingestion of dichloroethyl ether is unknown or suspected to be greater than 30 minutes, do not induce vomiting and proceed to Step
4. Ipecac should not be administered to children under 6 months of age.Warning: Syrup of Ipecac should be administered only if victims are alert, have an active gag-reflex, and show no signs of impending seizure or coma. If ANY uncertainty exists, proceed to Step
4.The following dosages of Ipecac are recommended: children up to 1 year old, 10 mL (1/3 oz); children 1 to 12 years old, 15 mL (1/2 oz); adults, 30 mL (1 oz). Ambulate (walk) the victims and give large quantities of water. If vomiting has not occurred after 15 minutes, Ipecac may be readministered. Continue to ambulate and give water to the victims. If vomiting has not occurred within 15 minutes after second administration of Ipecac, administer activated charcoal.
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)

• BETA,BETA'-DICHLORODIETHYL ETHER
• BETA,BETA'-DICHLOROETHYL ETHER
• BETA,BETA-DICHLORODIETHYL ETHER
• BIS (2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER
• BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER
• BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL)ETHER
• BIS(BETA-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER
• BIS(CHLORO-2-ETHYL) OXIDE
• CHLOREX
• 1-CHLORO-2-(2-CHLOROETHOXY)ETHANE
• 1-CHLORO-2-(BETA-CHLOROETHOXY) ETHANE
• 1-CHLORO-2-(BETA-CHLOROETHOXY)ETHANE
• 2-(2-CHLOROETHOXY)ETHYL CHLORIDE
• CHLOROETHYL ETHER
• 2-CHLOROETHYL ETHER, DICHLOROETHYL OXIDE
• 2-CHLOROETHYL ETHER
• CLOREX
• DCEE
• DI(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER
• DI(2-CHLOROETHYL)ETHER
• DI(BETA-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER
• DI(BETA-CHLOROETHYL)ETHER
• DI-(2-CHLOROETHYL) ETHER
• 2,2'-DICHLORETHYL ETHER
• 1,5-DICHLORO-3-OXAPENTANE
• DICHLORODIETHYL ETHER
• 2,2'-DICHLORODIETHYL ETHER, 2,2'-DICHLOROETHYL ETHER
• 2,2'-DICHLORODIETHYL ETHER
• DICHLOROETHER
• DICHLOROETHYL ETHER
• 2,2'-DICHLOROETHYL ETHER
• 2,2-DICHLOROETHYL ETHER
• DICHLOROETHYL OXIDE
• DIETHYLENE GLYCOL DICHLORIDE
• ENT 4,504
• ETHER, BIS(2-CHLOROETHYL)
• ETHER, BIS(CHLOROETHYL)
• 1,1'-OXYBIS(2-CHLORO)ETHANE
• 1,1'-OXYBIS(2-CHLOROETHANE)
• OXYGEN MUSTARD
• SYM-DICHLOROETHYL ETHER