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
Methyl Chloroform Chemical Sampling Information:
Methyl Chloroform

General Description
    Synonyms: Chlorothene; 1,1,1-Trichloroethane; 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (stabilized); Composite Constituent

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1720

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 71-55-6

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: KJ2975000

    Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 2831 160

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Methyl chloroform: 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 -- 350 ppm, 1900 mg/m3 TWA

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 350 ppm, 1900 mg/m3 TWA

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 350 ppm, 1900 mg/m3 TWA

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 350 ppm, 1910 mg/m3 TWA; 450 ppm, 2460 mg/m3 STEL; Appendix A4 - Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 350 ppm, 1900 mg/m3 Ceiling (15 Minutes); Appendix C - Supplementary Exposure Limits (chloroethanes)
Health Factors
    International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (1,1,1-Trichloroethane)

    NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 700 ppm

    Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin; headache; lassitude; CNS depression (dizziness, drowsiness, unconsciousness); poor equilibrium, ataxia; dry skin, dermatitis; cardiac arrhythmias; hypotension; liver damage. INGES ACUTE: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

    Health Effects: Irritation - Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Mild (HE 16) Narcosis (HE 8); Hepatotoxicity (HE3).

    Affected organs: Eyes, skin, CNS, cardiovascular system, liver

    Notes: 1) A few cases of peripheral sensory neuropathy following use of this chemical as a degreasing agent without adequate hand protection have been reported. 2) Although some of this chemical is metabolized to trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid, which are excreted in the urine, most is excreted unchanged in exhaled air, which appears to be more suitable for monitoring exposure than measurement of urinary metabolites.

    Date Last Revised: 06/14/2004

    Literature Basis:
    • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Methyl chloroform.
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): 1,1,1-Trichloroethane.
    • EPA Air Toxics Website: Methyl chloroform (1,1,1-Trichloroethane). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
    • Cohen, C. and Frank, A.L.: Liver disease following occupational exposure to 1,1,1-trichloroethane: A case study. Am. J. Ind. Med. 26(2):237-241, 1994.
    • House, R.A., Liss, G.M., Wills, M.C. and Holness, D.L.: Paresthesias and sensory neuropathy due to 1,1,1-trichloroethane. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 38(2): 123-124, 1996.
    • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): 1,1,1-Trichloroethane. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 2245-2248.
    • Tay, P., Pinnagoda, J., Sam, C.T., Ho, S.F., Tan, K.T. and Ong, C.N.: Environmental and biological monitoring of occupational exposure to 1,1,1-trichloroethane. Occup. Med. (Lond.) 45(3): 147-150, 1995.
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: 3 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min (TWA)
      maximum volume: 3 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min (STEL)
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
      method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 14)
      method classification: Fully Validated
* All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 Safety and Health
 Topics
 
  Chemical Sampling Information:
  Methyl Chloroform
  General Description
  Exposure Limits
  Health Factors
  Monitoring
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
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
Page last updated: 01/13/2005