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Chemical Datasheet

ETHYL CHLORIDE

2.1 - Flammable gas

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 75-00-3   (ETHYL CHLORIDE)
  • 1037
  • Flammable Gas
  • ECL
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Ethyl chloride
  • 1-CHLOROETHANE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
4
2 0
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 4 Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A clear colorless gas with a pungent odor. Flash point -58°F. Boiling point 54°F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Vapors are heavier than air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic and irritating gases are generated in fires.

Behavior in Fire: Containers may explode. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Vapor causes drunkenness, anesthesia, possible lung injury. Liquid may cause frostbite on eyes and skin. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
ETHYL CHLORIDE is heat sensitive. This compound will hydrolyze in the presence of alkalis and water. It reacts with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. It can also react vigorously with oxidizing materials. The vapor forms highly flammable mixtures with air. A mixture of this compound with potassium is shock-sensitive. Contact with chemically active metals such as Na, K, Ca, powdered Al, Zn and Mg may result in violent reactions. (NTP, 1992)
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

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

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 800 meters (1/2 mile).

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. In fires involving Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) (UN1075), Butane (UN1011), Butylene (UN1012), Isobutylene (UN1055), Propylene (UN1077), Isobutane (UN1969), and Propane (UN1978), also refer to BLEVE - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (ERG page 366). (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED. CAUTION: Hydrogen (UN1049), Deuterium (UN1957), Hydrogen, refrigerated liquid (UN1966) and Hydrogen and Methane mixture, compressed (UN2034) will burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.).

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray or fog. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. CAUTION: For LNG - Liquefied natural gas (UN1972) pool fires, DO NOT USE water. Use dry chemical or high-expansion foam.

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. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

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. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. CAUTION: For LNG - Liquefied natural gas (UN1972), DO NOT apply water, regular or alcohol-resistant foam directly on spill. Use a high-expansion foam if available to reduce vapors. Prevent spreading of vapors through sewers, ventilation systems and confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. CAUTION: When in contact with refrigerated/cryogenic liquids, many materials become brittle and are likely to break without warning. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Ethyl chloride:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).

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: 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
Ethyl chloride 75-00-3 Vapor >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: CAUTION: Exposure of skin to compressed gases may result in freezing of the skin. Treatment for frostbite may be necessary. Remove the victim from the source of contamination. IMMEDIATELY wash affected areas gently with COLD water (and soap, if necessary) while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Dry carefully with clean, soft towels. Call a hospital or poison control center IMMEDIATELY even if no symptoms (such as inflammation or irritation) develop. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected area if advised to do so by a physician.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. 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: This compound is a gas, therefore inhalation is the first route of exposure.

OTHER: Since this chemical is a known or suspected carcinogen you should contact a physician for advice regarding the possible long term health effects and potential recommendation for medical monitoring. Recommendations from the physician will depend upon the specific compound, its chemical, physical and toxicity properties, the exposure level, length of exposure, and the route of exposure. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C2H5Cl
Flash Point: -58°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 3.8 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 15.4 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: 966°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -218°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 1000 mmHg at 68°F ; 457 mmHg at 32°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 2.22 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 0.906 at 53.96°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 54.1°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 64.52 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: 0.574 g/100 mL at 68°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 10.97 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 3800 ppm ; Based on 10% of the lower explosive limit. (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Ethyl chloride; (Chloroethane) (75-00-3) 300 ppm 5100 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. 20000 ppm 2-flame icon indicates value is 50-99% of LEL. LEL = 38000 ppm
1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL.
2-flame icon indicates value is 50-99% of LEL.
(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
Chloroethane 75-00-3 100 pounds 313 10000 pounds
Ethane, chloro- 75-00-3 100 pounds X 10000 pounds
Ethyl chloride 75-00-3 100 pounds X 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
Ethyl chloride; [Ethane, chloro-] 75-00-3 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names