June 1999 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Chloroethane |
(Cloroetano) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about chloroethane. For more information,
you may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737.
This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous
substances and their health effects. This information is important
because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure
to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration,
how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether
other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to chloroethane
can occur from breathing air or drinking water containing
it. Exposure to high levels of chloroethane can affect
your nervous system, causing lack of muscle control and
unconsciousness. This substance has been found in at least
282 of the 1,467 National Priorities List sites identified
by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). |
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What
is chloroethane? |
Chloroethane is a colorless gas at room
temperature and pressure. It has a characteristically sharp
smell. It is a liquid when stored in pressurized containers;
however, the liquid evaporates quickly when exposed to room
air. Chloroethane catches fire easily.
It was used in leaded gasoline, but strict
new government regulations have reduced that use dramatically.
It is used in the production of cellulose, dyes, medicinal
drugs, and other commercial products, and as a solvent and
refrigerant.
It is also used to numb the skin before
medical procedures such as ear piercing and skin biopsies
and as a treatment in sports injuries.
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What
happens to chloroethane when it enters the environment? |
- Most chloroethane exists as a gas in the atmosphere.
- It breaks down fairly rapidly (about half disappears
within 40 days) by reacting with other substances in the
air.
- Small amounts can enter groundwater by filtering through
the soil.
- In groundwater, chloroethane is slowly changed into a
simpler form by reaction with water.
- Some types of bacteria in water may break it down to
smaller compounds.
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How
might I be exposed to chloroethane? |
- Chloroethane can be released to air from factories that
manufacture or use it.
- It can evaporate from landfills.
- It can be released during its use as a solvent, refrigerant,
and anesthetic.
- Chloroethane may be present in drinking water as a result
of chlorination.
- People may be exposed through skin contact if it is used
in a medical procedure.
- Workers who may be exposed include doctors, nurses, mechanics,
plumbers, and painters.
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How
can chloroethane affect my health? |
Brief exposure to high levels can produce
temporary feelings of drunkenness. At higher levels, it can
cause lack of muscle coordination and unconsciousness. It
can also cause stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and eye irritation.
Chloroethane is sometimes applied to the skin as a numbing
agent before surgery. If it is applied for too long, frostbite
can result. Some people had allergic reactions to it, and
others experienced mild pain after being sprayed for 10 seconds.
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How
likely is chloroethane to cause cancer? |
Laboratory tests in animals have shown
that long-term exposure can cause cancer in mice. It is not
known whether it causes cancer in humans. The International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded that chloroethane
is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity in humans.
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How
does chloroethane affect children? |
We don't know whether chloroethane exposure
can affect development in people. In animal studies, the babies
of mice exposed to chloroethane during pregnancy had delayed
development. It is not known whether children differ from
adults in their susceptibility to chloroethane.
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How
can families reduce the risk of exposure to chloroethane? |
- Avoid using products that contain chloroethane if you
are pregnant.
- Limit the use of consumer products that contain it.
- Open windows and doors when such products are used in
the home.
- Make sure containers are tightly covered.
- Make your children aware of the harmful effects of sniffing
glue, paints, and other solvents.
- Store products containing it safely and follow directions
carefully.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to chloroethane? |
There are complex analytical tests that
chemists use to measure chloroethane in blood, milk, or urine.
However, no commonly used medical tests are available to determine
whether or not a person has been exposed to chloroethane.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
EPA requires industries to report accidental
discharges or spills of 100 pounds or more of chloroethane
to EPA.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) regulates the amount of chloroethane in workplace air.
The limit for an 8-hour workday, over a 40-hour workweek,
is 1,000 parts per million (1,000 ppm).
The American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends a limit of 100 ppm
chloroethane in workplace air.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1998. Toxicological Profile for chloroethane. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
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Where can I get more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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