NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

bis-Chloromethyl ether CAS 542-88-1
(CH2Cl)2O RTECS KN1575000
Synonyms & Trade Names
BCME, bis-CME, Chloromethyl ether, Dichlorodimethyl ether, Dichloromethyl ether, Oxybis(chloromethane)
DOT ID & Guide
2249 153
Exposure
Limits
NIOSH REL: Ca See Appendix A
OSHA PEL: [1910.1008] See Appendix B
IDLH Ca [N.D.] See: IDLH INDEX Conversion
Physical Description
Colorless liquid with a suffocating odor.
MW: 115.0
BP: 223°F
FRZ: -43°F
Sol: Reacts
VP(72°F): 30 mmHg
IP: ?

Sp.Gr: 1.32
Fl.P: <66°F
UEL: ?
LEL: ?

Class IB Flammable Liquid: Fl.P. below 73°F and BP at or above 100°F.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities
Acids, water [Note: Reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid & formaldehyde.]
Measurement Methods
OSHA 10
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Personal Protection & Sanitation
Skin: Prevent skin contact
Eyes: Prevent eye contact
Wash skin: When contaminated/Daily
Remove: When wet (flammable)
Change: Daily
Provide: Eyewash, Quick drench
First Aid (See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately
Skin: Soap wash immediately
Breathing: Respiratory support
Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Important additional information about respirator selection
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH
At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Irritation eyes, skin, mucous membrane, respiratory system; pulmonary congestion, edema; corneal damage, necrosis; decreased pulmonary function, cough, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), wheezing; blood-stained sputum, bronchial secretions; [potential occupational carcinogen]
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system

Cancer Site [lung cancer]
See also: INTRODUCTION   See ICSC CARD: 0237   See MEDICAL TESTS: 0026

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