METHYL CHLOROMETHYL ETHER

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
3 3 2	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	3	Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
	Instability	2	Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
	Special

A clear colorless liquid. Flash point -4°F. Irritates the eyes and respiratory system. Very toxic by inhalation and may be toxic by ingestion or skin absorption. Vapors are heavier than air.

• Highly Flammable
• Peroxidizable Compound

Highly flammable. Denser than water and is decomposed by water to yield hydrochloric acid, a corrosive material. With water the ether reacts to evolve formaldehyde and hydrogen chloride. The reaction is slow at ambient conditions.

Flammable/combustible material; may be ignited by heat, sparks, or flames. Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Container may explode in heat of fire. In addition to the risk of explosion, when air mixtures of ether vapors are heated or exposed to flame or sparks, they tend to form peroxides. Ethers containing peroxides can detonate when heated. Unburned material may form powerful tear gas. When wet, also forms irritating formaldehyde gas. Evolves formaldehyde and hydrogen chloride. When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes of chlorides. Avoid decomposing heat Hazardous polymerization may not occur. (EPA, 1998)

The principal effect is irritation. The liquid causes severe irritation of eyes and skin; and vapor exposure of 100 ppm is severely irritating to eyes and nose. This level is dangerous to life in 4 hours. Pulmonary edema or pneumonia may cause death. There was increased death rate from respiratory cancer among exposed victims and it is a regulated carcinogen. (EPA, 1998)

METHYL CHLOROMETHYL ETHER Is a halogenated ether. Ethers tend to form unstable peroxides when exposed to oxygen. Ethyl, isobutyl, ethyl tert-butyl, and ethyl tert-pentyl ether are particularly hazardous in this respect. Ether peroxides can sometimes be observed as clear crystals deposited on containers or along the surface of the liquid. Ethers can act as bases. They form salts with strong acids and addition complexes with Lewis acids. The complex between diethyl ether and boron trifluoride is an example. Ethers may react violently with strong oxidizing agents. In other reactions, which typically involve the breaking of the carbon-oxygen bond, ethers are relatively inert.

• Ethers
• Halogenated Organic Compounds

No information available.

Excerpt from 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:

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

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1239 datasheet.

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)

Move container from fire area. Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter material. Cool containers that are exposed to flames with water. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety device or any discoloration of tank due to fire. Extinguish with dry chemicals, foam, or carbon dioxide. Water may be ineffective in extinguishing fire. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from 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, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Chloromethyl methyl 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, 2023)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Chloro methyl methyl ether	107-30-2	Liquid					imm*/37	imm*/37	>480	>480	>480
Methoxy chloromethane	107-30-2	Liquid					imm*/37	imm*/37	>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 Chloromethyl Methyl Ether Exposure: Acute exposure to chloromethyl methyl ether may produce 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 methyl 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 methyl 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 methyl 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)

• CHLORODIMETHYL ETHER
• CHLOROMETHOXYMETHANE
• CHLOROMETHYL METHYL ETHER
• CHLOROMETHYL METHYL ETHER, [ANHYDROUS]
• CMME
• DIMETHYL- CHLOROETHER
• DIMETHYLCHLOROETHER
• ETHER DIMETHYL CHLORO
• ETHER, CHLOROMETHYL METHYL
• METHANE, CHLOROMETHOXY-
• METHOXYCHLOROMETHANE
• METHOXYMETHYL CHLORIDE
• METHYL CHLOROMETHYL ETHER
• METHYL CHLOROMETHYL ETHER, ANHYDROUS
• METHYLCHLOROMETHYL ETHER
• METHYLCHLOROMETHYL ETHER, ANHYDROUS
• MONOCHLORODIMETHYL ETHER
• MONOCHLOROMETHYL ETHER
• MONOCHLOROMETHYL METHYL ETHER