Department of Labor Seal photos representing the workforce - digital imagery© copyright 2001 photodisc, inc.
Department of Labor Seal www.osha.gov   [skip navigational links] Search    Advanced Search | A-Z Index
Epichlorohydrin Chemical Sampling Information
Epichlorohydrin

General Description
    Synonyms: 1-Chloro-2,3-epoxy-propane; 2-Chloropropylene oxide; gamma-Chloropropylene oxide; Composite Constituent

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0645

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 106-89-8

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: TX4900000

    Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 2023 131P [27 KB PDF]

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Epichlorohydrin: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 5 ppm, 19 mg/m3 TWA; Skin

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 5 ppm, 19 mg/m3 TWA; Skin

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 5 ppm, 19 mg/m3 TWA; Skin

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 0.5 ppm TWA; Skin; Appendix A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): Appendix A - NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens
Health Factors
    National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Reasonably Anticipated to be Human Carcinogen [208 KB PDF]

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 2A, probably carcinogenic to humans [381 KB PDF]

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Group B2, Probable human carcinogen

    NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 75 ppm

    Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin with deep pain; abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting; headache; sore throat, cough, respiratory distress (labored breathing, shortness of breath), pulmonary edema (may be delayed); skin pain, burns, blisters (may be delayed), sensitization; cyanosis; reproductive effects; [potential occupational carcinogen]; INGES. ACUTE: Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, burning sensation in throat, chest; shock or collapse.

    Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Skin---Marked/Skin sensitization, permanent loss of vision (HE14); Asthma (HE9); Suspect Carcinogen/mutagen (HE2); Kidney and liver damage (HE3)

    Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, kidneys, liver, reproductive system

    Notes:
    1. Epichlorohydrin is an OSHA Select Carcinogen
    2. EPA’s inhalation reference concentration (daily inhalational exposure likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime) for epichlorhydrin is 1 µg/m3.
    3. It has been suggested that occupational exposure to epichlorohydrin concentrations less than 0.2 ppm may be associated with abnormalities of lung function.
    4. The major urinary metabolite of chlorohydrin in rats is 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid.
    5. Attempts to monitor occupational exposure have included the measurement of N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)valine in hemoglobin, but baseline levels of this adduct vary greatly in non-exposed workers and are significantly increased 2-4 fold in smokers compared with non-smokers.
    6. Studies in rodents indicate that epichlorohydrin (or an active metabolite) also forms adducts with DNA and RNA.

    Date Last Revised: 06/13/2006

    Literature Basis:
    • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Epichlorohydrin.
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Epichlorohydrin.
    • U.S. EPA Integrated Risk Information System: Epichlorohydrin (CASRN 106-89-8).
    • De Rooij, B.M., Commandeur, J.N., Ramcharan, J.R., Schuilenburg, H.C., Van Baar, B.L. and Vermeulen, N.P.: Identification and quantitative determination of 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid and alpha-chlorohydrin in urine of rats treated with epichlorohydrin. J. Chromatogr. B Biomed. Appl. 685(2): 241-250, 1996.
    • Hindsø Landin, H., Grummt, T. Laurent, C. and Tates, A.: Monitoring of occupational exposure to epichlorohydrin by genetic effects and hemoglobin adducts. Mutat. Res. 381(2): 217-226, 1997.
    • Luo, J.-C., Cheng, T.-J., Kuo, H.-W. and Chang, M.J.W.: Decreased lung function associated with occupational exposure to epichlorohydrin and the modification effects of glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 46(3): 280-286, 2004.
    • Mazzullo, M., Colacci, A., Grilli, S., Prodi, G. and Arfellini, G.: In vivo and in vitro binding of epichlorohydrin to nucleic acids. Cancer Lett. 23(1): 81-90, 1984.
    • No Author: Epichlorohydrin, CAS No. 106-89-8 [208 KB PDF]. Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program, 2005.
    • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Epichlorohydrin. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1015-1017.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
    Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

    • sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
      analytical solvent: Carbon disulfide
      alternate analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:Dimethylformamide
      maximum volume: 20 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
      method reference: NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 1010) [21 KB PDF]
      method classification: Fully Validated

    Wipe Sampling Method:

    • sampling media: Charcoal pad
      note: Seal in glass vial for shipment.
* All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 Safety and Health
 Topics
 
  Chemical Sampling Information:
  Epichlorohydrin
  General Description
  Exposure Limits
  Health Factors
  Monitoring
     
 
 
Page last updated: 07/12/2007

Accessibility Assistance
Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.
Back to Top Back to Top www.osha.gov www.dol.gov

Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey
Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210