The Application of Epichlorohydrin

Epichlorohydrin is manufactured from allyl chloride and is widely used as a chemical intermediate. A major use is in the synthesis of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, which is a component of epoxy resins.

Epichlorohydrin is an alkylating agent that is mutagenic. It may induce DNA interstrand cross-links, chromosomal aberrations, and breaks. It is also an irritant, sensitizer, and corrosive.

Environmental Fate

Environmental contamination by epichlorohydrin mainly occurs through air ducts and waste disposal of heavy ends in industries that produce or use epichlorohydrin. Epichlorohydrin can also be lost to the environment through discharge of industrial water, during transport and storage, by volatilization during use, and by inadvertent industrial production. Epichlorohydrin is relatively volatile, and therefore readily evaporates from near-surface soils and other solid surfaces. If released into water, it is lost primarily by evaporation (half-life is 29 h in a typical river) and hydrolysis (half-life is 8.2 days). It does not adsorb appreciably to sediment. If spilled on land, it evaporates and leaches into the groundwater where it hydrolyzes. In the atmosphere, epichlorohydrin degrades by reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals (estimated half-life is 4 days). It does not bioconcentrate appreciably in aquatic organisms.

These properties make epichlorohydrin of relatively little concern from the perspective of ecotoxicity and potential for harming wild species in aquatic and terrestrial environments.

Uses

Epichlorohydrin is a chlorinated epoxy compound mainly used in themanufacture of glycerol and epoxy resins. It is also used in the manufacture of elastomers, glycidyl ethers, cross-linked food starch, surfactants, plasticizers, dyestuffs, pharmaceutical products, oil emulsifiers, lubricants, and adhesives; as a solvent for resins, gums, cellulose, esters, paints, and lacquers; as a stabilizer in chlorine-containing substances such as rubber, pesticide formulations, and solvents; and in the paper and drug industries as an insect fumigant.

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