Dichloroethane: A Versatile Solvent in Modern Chemistry

Dichloroethane is a clear, thick liquid that has a pleasant odour. It has a very low Koc and is expected to be very mobile in the environment.

Uses

Dichloroethane is primarily used in the production of vinyl chlorides, and as a solvent in organic synthesis. It was previously used as an insect and soil fumigant, in cleaning products (especially for use on textiles), and in adhesives.

Hazards

Dichloroethane is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that produces symptoms ranging from nausea, vomiting, headache, lightheadedness, and weakness to stupor, disequilibrium, coma, and respiratory arrest. High-level exposure leads to severe CNS signs ultimately leading to oliguria and hepatic transaminasemia and occasionally hepatorenal failure. Ingestions can be damaging to kidney, liver, and adrenal gland as well as the gastrointestinal tract. Severe hepatorenal toxicity is often associated with hypoglycemia, hypercalcemia, hypoprothrombinemia, reduced clotting factors, adrenal necrosis, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage and leads to a bluish-purple discoloration of the skin, dermatitis, and corneal abrasions. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enforced the maximum contaminant level (MCL) goal for this compound to be‘zero’in drinking water to prevent potential health problems. EPA's permissible MCL has been set to 0.005 mg l−1 or 5 ppb.¹

Toxicity

Acute oral LD50: 670-890 mg/kg for rats, 870-950 mg/kg for mice, and 860-970 mg/kg for rabbits. A single overdose or repeated exposure to dichloroethane can damage the liver and kidneys. From the perspective of chronic toxicity, it is safer than carbon tetrachloride. In practice, most people cannot tolerate or vomit at sublethal concentrations of dichloroethane.

Reference

1.Syed, I. and S. Ray.“Dichloroethane, 1,2-.”1900. 0.

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