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Chemical Datasheet

1,2-DICHLOROETHYLENE, (MIXED ISOMERS)

3 - Flammable liquid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 540-59-0
  • 1150
  • Flammable Liquid
  • DEL
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
1,2-Dichloroethylene
  • 1,2-DICHLOROETHYLENE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
3
1 2
Blue Health 1 Can cause significant irritation.
Red Flammability 3 Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
Yellow Instability 2 Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A clear colorless liquid with ether-like odor. Mixture of cis and trans isomers. Flashpoint 36 - 43°F. Denser than water and insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. This compound is sensitive to air, light and moisture. Heat contributes to instability. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Phosgene and hydrogen chloride fumes may form in fires.

Behavior in Fire: Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation causes nausea, vomiting, weakness, tremor, epigastric cramps, central nervous depression. Contact with liquid causes irritation of eyes and (on prolonged contact) skin. Ingestion causes slight depression to deep narcosis. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
1,2-DICHLOROETHYLENE reacts violently with sodium, sodium hydroxide, copper and copper alloys. It can react with caustic alkynes or their concentrated solutions. It forms explosive mixtures with N2O4. It is incompatible with strong oxidizers. It is corrosive to metals. It attacks some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. (NTP, 1992)
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 absorbent listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 130 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious); polymerization hazard]:

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

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

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)
Firefighting
Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Water may be ineffective.

Fire Extinguishing Agents: Dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide (USCG, 1999)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 130 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious); polymerization hazard]:

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. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. 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)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for 1,2-Dichloroethylene:

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 (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
No information available.
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: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. 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: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Volatile chemicals have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting which increases the medical problems. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C2H2Cl2
Flash Point: 39°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 9.7 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 12.8 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: 860°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -71°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 180 to 265 mmHg at 68°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 3.34 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.27 at 77°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 118 to 140°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 96.94 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 70°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 9.65 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 1000 ppm (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
Dichloroethylene, 1,2- (540-59-0) 140 ppm 500 ppm 850 ppm LEL = 56000 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
1,2-Dichloroethylene 540-59-0 313

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names