IPCS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME ON CHEMICAL SAFETY
Health and Safety Guide No. 36
VINYLIDENE CHLORIDE
HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDE
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, GENEVA 1989
This is a companion volume to Environmental Health Criteria 100:
Vinylidene Chloride
Published by the World Health Organization for the International
Programme on Chemical Safety (a collaborative programme of the United
Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organisation,
and the World Health Organization)
ISBN 92 4 154357 4
ISSN 0259-7268
World Health Organization 1989
Publications of the World Health Organization enjoy copyright
protection in accordance with the provisions of Protocol 2 of the
Universal Copyright Convention. For rights of reproduction or
translation of WHO publications, in part or in toto, application
should be made to the Office of Publications, World Health
Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. The World Health Organization
welcomes such applications.
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this
publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on
the part of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization
concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area
or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers
or boundaries.
The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers'
products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the
World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature
that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of
proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.
This report contains the collective views of an international group of
experts and does not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated
policy of the United Nations Environment Programme, the International
Labour Organisation, or the World Health Organization.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1. PRODUCT IDENTITY AND USES
1.1. Identity
1.2. Physical and chemical properties
1.3. Composition
1.4. Analytical methods
1.5. Production and uses
2. SUMMARY AND EVALUATION
2.1. Exposure to vinylidene chloride
2.2. Uptake, metabolism, and excretion
2.3. Effects on animals
2.4. Effects on human beings
3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4. HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS, PREVENTION AND PROTECTION, EMERGENCY ACTION
4.1. Human health hazards, prevention and protection, first aid
4.2. Advice to physicians
4.2.1. Acute poisoning by inhalation
4.2.2. Oral poisoning
4.2.3. Skin exposure
4.2.4. Eye exposure
4.3. Health surveillance advice
4.4. Explosion and fire hazards
4.4.1. Explosion hazards
4.4.2. Fire hazards
4.5. Prevention and disposal
4.5.1. Use
4.5.2. Storage
4.5.3. Transport
4.5.4. Disposal
4.6. Spillage and fire treatment
4.6.1. Spillage
4.6.2. Fire
5. HAZARDS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR PREVENTION
6. INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL SAFETY CARD
7. CURRENT REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND STANDARDS
7.1. Exposure limit values
7.2. Specific restrictions
7.3. Labelling, packaging, and transport
7.4. Waste disposal
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
The Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) documents produced by the
International Programme on Chemical Safety include an assessment of
the effects on the environment and human health from exposure to a
chemical or combinations of chemicals, or to physical or biological
agents. They also provide guidelines for setting exposure limits.
The purpose of a Health and Safety Guide is to facilitate the
application of these guidelines in national chemical safety
programmes. The first three sections of a Health and Safety Guide
highlight the relevant technical information in the corresponding EHC.
Section 4 includes advice on preventive and protective measures and
emergency action; health workers should be thoroughly familiar with
the medical information to ensure that they can act efficiently in an
emergency. Within the Guide is an International Chemical Safety Card
which should be readily available, and should be clearly explained, to
all who could come into contact with the chemical. The section on
regulatory information has been extracted from the legal file of the
International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC) and from
other United Nations sources.
The target readership includes people in the occupational health
services, ministries, governmental agencies, industry, and trade
unions, who are involved in the safe use of chemicals and the
prevention of environmental health hazards, and also workers who would
like more information on this topic. An attempt has been made to use
only terms that are familiar to the user. However, sections 1 and 2
inevitably contain some technical terms. A bibliography has been
included for readers who would like to have further background
information.
Revision of the information in this Guide will take place in due
course. The eventual aim is to use standardized terminology.
Comments on any difficulties encountered in using the Guide would be
very helpful and should be addressed to:
The Manager
International Programme on Chemical Safety
Division of Environmental Health
World Health Organization
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
THE INFORMATION IN THIS GUIDE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A STARTING POINT
TO A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMME
1. PRODUCT IDENTITY AND USES
1.1 Identity
Chemical formula: C2H2Cl2
Chemical structure:
Cl H
\ /
C = C
/ \
Cl H
Common synonyms: ethylene,1,1-dichloro;
1,1-dichloroethene; ethene,1,1-dichloro;
VDC; 1,1-DCE
Common trade name: Sconatex
IUPAC systematic name: 1,1-dichloroethylene
CAS registry number: 75-35-4
RTECS number: KV9275000
Conversion factor: 1 mg/m3 = 0.25 ppm
1 ppm vinylidene chloride = 4 mg/m3
at 25 °C and 101.3 kPA (760 mmHG).
1.2 Physical and Chemical Properties
Vinylidene chloride is a volatile, clear, colourless liquid with a
"sweet" odour and has a low solubility in water. It is extremely
flammable; its vapour can form explosive mixtures with air or oxygen.
Some physical and chemical properties of vinylidene chloride are given
in the International Chemical Safety Card (see section 6).
1.3 Composition
Technical vinylidene chloride is more than 99.6% pure. It is
stabilized against oxidation and polymerization by the addition of
hydroquinone monomethyl ether ( p-methoxyphenol; 180-220 mg/kg).
Impurities may include water (acidic), chlorinated acetylene,
peroxides, and halogenated hydrocarbons.
1.4 Analytical Methods
Vinylidene chloride can be trapped by an absorbent column and desorbed
thermally. It can be measured by gas chromatography, preferably with
an electron-capture detector, although electrolytic conductivity and
flame ionization detectors have also been used. Gas chromatography/
mass spectroscopy is a very accurate technique.
1.5 Production and Uses
Vinylidene chloride does not occur naturally in the environment. It
is synthesized on a large scale to be used in the production of
1,1,1-trichloroethane and in the formation of modacrylic fibres and
copolymers.
2. SUMMARY AND EVALUATION
2.1 Exposure to Vinylidene Chloride
Up to an estimated 5% of the manufactured vinylidene chloride is
emitted annually into the atmosphere where it is expected to have a
half-life of approximately 2 days. Low levels are detectable in the
air, particularly in industrial areas. Levels in water and soil are
low unless contaminated by an accidental release. Vinylidene chloride
may reach drinking water or food, but only in trace amounts, from the
environment, packing materials, and possibly from water treatment.
Occupational exposure to vinylidene chloride results mainly from
inhalation, but skin and eye contamination may also occur.
2.2 Uptake, Metabolism, and Excretion
Vinylidene chloride is readily absorbed in animals by inhalation and
ingestion. The extent of absorption by the skin is unknown. Absorbed
vinylidene chloride is widely distributed, but does not persist,
within the body. It is eliminated unchanged via the breath, and as
metabolites in the bile and urine. Metabolism is more rapid in mice
than in rats. The major routes of metabolism involve oxidation and
conjugation with glutathione and/or with phosphatidyl ethanolamine
prior to further conversions. Metabolites bind covalently to tissue
macromolecules and can cause glutathione depletion. Covalent binding
is greater in mice than in rats and greater in the kidneys than in the
liver.
2.3 Effects on Animals
Vinylidene chloride is highly toxic in animals after inhalation (the
LC50 is as low as 460 mg/m3 for a 4-h exposure) and after
ingestion (the LD50 ranges from 200 to 1500 mg/kg body weight).
Inhalation causes irritation of mucous membranes, depression of the
central nervous system, and cardiotoxicity. Fasting markedly increases
its toxicity. Both inhalation and ingestion can cause toxicity in the
liver, kidneys, and lungs. In mice, which are more susceptible than
rats to the hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity of vinylidene chloride,
kidney damage was caused by exposure as low as 10 ppm (40 mg/m3) for
6 h.
Although vinylidene chloride is genotoxic in a number of in vitro
assays, including mammalian cells, there is only limited evidence for
genetic toxicity in whole animals. In chronic studies in three animal
species tested, a clear carcinogenic effect was seen in mouse kidneys
and only at dose levels associated with cytotoxicity in the critical
organ. Some other tumour types were observed in mice and rats, but
their significance is uncertain.
No effect on fertility has been observed and no fetal abnormalities
occur, other than those associated with maternal toxicity. Embryo and
fetal toxicity and fetal abnormalities were observed only at
concentrations that were maternally toxic, as seen by reduced weight
gain.
Vinylidene chloride can be toxic to aquatic organisms. The mean LC50
values for 96-h exposures range from 74 to 250 mg/litre.
2.4 Effects on Human Beings
People severely overexposed to vinylidene chloride exhibit depression
of the central nervous system and may become unconscious. Kidney,
liver, and cardiovascular damage has been reported for subanaesthetic,
prolonged, or repeated short-term exposures.
Stabilized vinylidene chloride is also an irritant to the respiratory
tract, skin, and eyes.
Epidemiological studies have shown no evidence of carcinogenicity in
human beings, but were not adequate to evaluate vinylidene chloride's
carcinogenic risk.
3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
More accurate estimates of vinylidene chloride's worldwide annual
production and emission levels are needed. Data in human beings are
not adequate to establish a potential for carcinogenicity. There are
limited data on carcinogenicity in laboratory animals (particularly
kidney adenocarcinoma in mice) and genetic toxicity. On the basis of
currently available experimental toxicity and epidemiological data,
the level at which no-observed-adverse effects will occur cannot be
predicted.
With the information available, it is doubtful that people who come in
contact with vinylidene chloride will be at risk if exposure levels in
the workplace and general environment are kept as low as possible and
within the prescribed control limits. In some countries, however, the
margin between the control limit and the concentration of vinylidene
chloride capable of producing toxicity in animals should be
re-evaluated.
Because of vinylidene chloride's irritant effect, contact with the
skin and eyes should be avoided.
The general population is exposed to detectable but very low levels of
vinylidene chloride in drinking water, food, and ambient air.
4. HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS, PREVENTION AND PROTECTION, EMERGENCY ACTION
4.1 Human Health Hazards, Prevention and Protection, First Aid
The health hazards associated with different types of exposure to
vinylidene chloride are given in section 2.4.
4.2 Advice to Physicians
Since vinylidene chloride is an irritant, the lungs, skin, and eyes
should be examined carefully and frequently. Liver and kidney
function, the heart, and the central nervous system, should also be
monitored. Severe hypotension, although unlikely, may be treated by
transfusions of blood or plasma expanders. Epinephrine should not be
given.
4.2.1 Acute poisoning by inhalation
Move the patient to fresh air and remove contaminated clothing. If
breathing stops, give artificial respiration. Obtain medical
attention. Keep the patient under observation for 48 h because
pulmonary oedema may develop.
4.2.2 Oral poisoning
If the patient is conscious, rinse his/her mouth thoroughly with
water, and give 500 ml water to drink. Keep the patient quiet. If
severely affected, admit to hospital.
Gastric lavage and/or the oral administration of activated charcoal or
liquid paraffin may help to reduce the bioavailability of vinylidene
chloride only if given early (e.g., preferably within approximately
1 h of ingestion, but it may be beneficial up to 4 h of ingestion).
To prevent aspiration of the stomach contents into the lungs, do not
induce vomiting.
Wherever exposure to vinylidene chloride is possible, a water supply,
and first-aid and physicians' treatment kits, should always be easily
accessible. The kits should contain eye washes, oxygen masks,
activated charcoal, and liquid paraffin.
4.2.3 Skin exposure
Remove contaminated clothing. Irrigate and wash contaminated skin
thoroughly with soap and water.
4.2.4 Eye exposure
Act immediately. Irrigate eyes with appropriate sterile eyewash
solution or clean tap water for at least 15 min. If severely affected,
obtain medical attention.
4.3 Health Surveillance Advice
Anyone who is potentially exposed to vinylidene chloride should
undergo periodic medical examinations, with special attention to liver
and kidney function, lungs, and cardiovascular and central nervous
systems. Carcinogenicity resulting from exposure to vinylidene
chloride is possible.
Hygiene standards in the workplace should be maintained.
4.4 Explosion and Fire Hazards
4.4.1 Explosion hazards
Vinylidene chloride reacts vigorously after exposure to oxidizing
agents or free radical initiators, or when heated. In the presence of
oxygen, pure uninhibited vinylidene chloride forms an explosive
peroxide at temperatures as low as -40 °C. Vapour-air mixtures may be
formed that can explode if they come in contact with an ignition
source, even at sub-zero temperatures. It is essential to have an
adequate amount of stabilizer present in the monomer.
4.4.2 Fire hazards
Vinylidene chloride is an extremely flammable liquid. Toxic products,
particularly phosgene, may be released in a fire.
4.5 Prevention and Disposal
4.5.1 Use
In the work area, use closed systems with continuous ventilation and
prohibit the use of potential sources of ignition. Use spark-proof
equipment. The monitoring of vinylidene chloride emissions during
distribution operations is recommended.
4.5.2 Storage
Vinylidene chloride should be covered with inert gas and stored below
-10 °C in hermetically sealed, properly labelled steel containers. It
should be protected from light, air, free radical initiators, copper,
and aluminium. Only inhibited (stabilized) vinylidene chloride should
be stored, and only for a limited time.
4.5.3 Transport
Only stabilized vinylidene chloride should be transported under the
conditions described in section 4.5.2. The transport vehicle should be
equipped with a first-aid kit and a waterspray system to cool the
tanks in the event of a fire.
If an accident occurs, stop the engine and remain upwind. Remove all
sources of ignition including lighted cigarettes. Keep everyone at a
distance and place hazard signs on the road. In case of spillage or
fire, use the methods described in section 4.6. Notify the police and
fire brigade immediately.
4.5.4 Disposal
Waste should be incinerated and not disposed of in sewers. Complete
combustion is necessary to prevent the formation of phosgene and an
acid scrubber is required to remove harmful halo-acids. Dangerous
vinylidene chloride-derived peroxides can be destroyed to some extent
by water that is at room temperature. Peroxides soluble in the
monomer can be inactivated by treatment with mild reducing agents
(ferrous sulfate or acidified potassium iodide). The peroxides should
not be allowed to undergo polymerisation since extremely dangerous
peroxide polymers will result.
4.6 Spillage and Fire Treatment
4.6.1 Spillage
If a leak occurs, remove all sources of ignition and evacuate the
area. Then evaporate the vinylidene chloride. If a large leak occurs,
control the evaporation with an expansion synthetic foam. Use
water-spray curtains to evaporate the vinylidene chloride from the
foam. Personnel should wear full protective clothing and breathing
apparatus.
4.6.2 Fire
In the event of a fire, cool sealed containers with a waterspray
system. However, if vinylidene chloride ignites, do not use a water
hose because it could spread the fire. Instead, use alcohol or
aqueous foams, carbon dioxide, or powder. The fire brigade should
wear breathing apparatus.
5. HAZARDS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR PREVENTION
The physico-chemical properties of vinylidene chloride allow it to
evaporate and disperse into the atmosphere where it does not persist.
Bioaccumulation is therefore expected to be low.
If an accidental spillage occurs, contaminated water may cause
toxicity in aquatic organisms; otherwise, environmental concentrations
are very low and well below those that cause toxicity.
Adequate safety measures should prevent leakage into the environment
during use, storage, transport, and disposal (see section 4.5).
6. INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL SAFETY CARD
This card should be easily available to all health workers concerned
with, and users of, vinylidene chloride. It should be displayed at,
or near, entrances to areas where there is potential exposure to
vinylidene chloride, and on processing equipment and containers. The
card should be translated into the appropriate language(s). All
persons potentially exposed to the chemical should also have the
instructions on the chemical safety card clearly explained.
Space is available on the card for insertion of the National
Occupational Exposure Limit, the address and telephone number of the
National Poison Control Centre, and for local trade names.
VINYLIDENE CHLORIDE
(VDC, 1,1-dichloroethene)
C2H2Cl2
IUPAC systematic name: 1,1-dichloroethylene
CAS registry number: 75-35-4
RTECS number: KV9275000
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Relative molecular mass 96.95 Clear, colourless, volatile liquid that has
Boiling point (°C) 31.56 a "sweet" odour and can have adverse effects
Solubility in water (g/litre) (21 °C) 2.5 g/kg well below the odour threshold; vinylidene
Specific density (20 °C) 1.213 g/cm3 chloride reacts vigorously with oxidizing
Relative vapour density materials and is extremely flammable when
(air = 1, 20 °C) 3.34 exposed to heat or flame; it polymerizes
Vapour pressure (mmHg) (20 °C) 495 readily above 0 °C in the presence of oxygen,
Flash point (°C) (closed cup) -19 and in the absence of a stabilizer can form
Flash point (°C) (open cup) -15 explosive peroxides at temperatures as low as
Flammability (explosive) limits 5.6-16 -40 °C; the vapour is heavier than air and may
Log n-octanol/water partition travel along the ground and collect at the
coefficient 1.66 lowest point.
HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS PREVENTION AND PROTECTION FIRST AID
SKIN: Causes irritation and Avoid exposure; wear impervious Remove contaminated clothing and
redness; may enter body protective clothing, gloves, and face shoes; wash affected area with soap
through the skin. mask. Do not wear leather. and large amounts of water.
EYES: Both liquid and vapour Avoid exposure; wear safety goggles. Irrigate eyes with cold water for at
cause irritation and redness; least 15 min; seek medical attention if
liquid splashes may cause severely affected.
corneal damage.
INHALATION: Causes irritation Avoid exposure; use exhaust Seek medical attention; keep patient
of respiratory tract, depression ventilation and/or breathing protection. warm, in semi-prone position in fresh
of the central nervous system, air; keep airway clear; if breathing
unconsciousness; may cause liver, has stopped, give artificial
lung, or kidney damage. respiration.
INGESTION: Causes oral and Do not eat, drink, or smoke when Seek medical attention; rinse mouth
gastrointestinal tract working with vinylidene chloride; do with water; do not induce vomiting.
irritation, depression of the not store food or drink in areas with
central nervous system, potential exposure.
unconsciousness; may cause liver,
lung, or kidney damage.
Carcinogenic potential Avoid exposure
SPILLAGE STORAGE FIRE AND EXPLOSION
Remove ignition sources; Vinylidene chloride should be Extremely flammable; do not expose to
evacuate area; equip personnel with inhibited, covered with inert gas, and oxidizing materials, free radical
protective clothing and stored below -10 °C in hermetically initiators, heat, flame, or sparks; vapour/air
breathing apparatus; evaporate sealed, properly labelled steel mixtures can explode on ignition even
vinylidene chloride with an expansion containers, and protected from light, below 0 °C. If a fire occurs, cool sealed
synthetic foam and a waterspray air, free radical initiators, copper, containers with a water-spray; if not
curtain. and aluminium. sealed, use alcohol or aqueous foams,
carbon dioxide, or powder.
WASTE DISPOSAL NATIONAL INFORMATION
Incineration with complete National Occupational Exposure Limit:
combustion is necessary to prevent
formation of phosgene; an acid National Poison Contol Centre:
scrubber is required for removal
of harmful halo-acids. Local Trade Names:
7. CURRENT REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND STANDARDS
The information in this section has been extracted from the
International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC) legal
file and other UN sources. It is a representative but non-exhaustive
overview of current regulations, guidelines, and standards.
Regulations and guidelines about chemicals can be fully understood
only within the framework of a country's legislation, and are always
subject to change. Therefore, they should always be verified with the
appropriate authorities.
There are restrictions, limitations, and safety precautions in some of
the countries where vinylidene chloride has been registered. They
should always be consulted before this substance is used.
A full reference to the original national document from which the
information was extracted can be obtained from IRPTC. When no
effective date appears in the IRPTC legal file, the year of the
reference from which the data are taken is shown, indicated by (r).
7.1 Exposure Limit Values
Some exposure limit values are given in the table on pages 24-25.
7.2 Specific Restrictions
The Commission of the European Communities classifies vinylidene
chloride as harmful (Class IIB), and requires appropriate packaging
and labelling. The substance must not be used in cosmetics.
In the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and in the USA, vinylidene
chloride is listed as a potential carcinogen and regulations for such
substances apply.
In the FRG, the compound is a Class I emission. The air emission must
not exceed (as the sum of all compounds in this class) 20 mg/m3 at a
mass flow of 0.1 kg/h or more. Handling of vinylidene chloride by
adolescents and pregnant and nursing women is prohibited or restricted
(effective date, 1980).
In the USA, the vapour emitted through a spray booth must not exceed
25% of the explosive limit, which is 5.9% vinylidene chloride by
volume in air. The European Communities are proposing a limit of
5 mg/kg in food contact plastics and 50 µg/kg in food.
7.3 Labelling, Packaging, and Transport
In the European Economic Community, containers of vinylidene chloride
should be labelled:
Extremely flammable; harmful; harmful by inhalation; possible
risks of irreversible effects; keep container tightly closed;
keep away from sources of ignition - no smoking; do not empty
into drains.
If the substance is not stabilized, it should be labelled:
Vinylidene chloride, non-stabilized.
The United Nations and the International Maritime Organization
classify vinylidene chloride as "3 = Inflammable liquid" and as a
"very dangerous substance" (Packing Group 1).
7.4 Waste Disposal
In the USA, for purposes of discharge, vinylidene chloride is
designated as a hazardous substance under the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act and permits are required for its discharge into US waters.
The US Government must be notified of any discharge of this substance
into navigable waters that adjoin shorelines or the contiguous zone in
any amounts equal to or greater than 2270 kg in any 24-h period. Such
a discharge is a violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
A discharge above the following levels must be reported:
- 100 µg/litre
- 5 times the maximum concentration stated in the application for
the permit
- the level established by the EPA director.
EXPOSURE LIMIT VALUES
Medium Specification Country/ Exposure limit description Value Effective
organization date
AIR Occupational Belgium Threshold limit value (TLV) 1987 (r)
- Time-weighted average (TWA) 20 mg/m3
- Short-term exposure limit (STEL) 80 mg/m3
Brazil Acceptable limit (AC) 31 mg/m3 1982 (r)
(48 h/week)
Germany, Maximum work-site concentration (MAK) 1987 (r)
Federal - Time-weighted average (TWA) 8 mg/m3
Republic of - Short-term exposure limit (STEL; 16 mg/m3
30 min)
Netherlands Maximum limit (MXL) 1987 (r)
- Time-weighted average (TWA) 40 mg/m3
(notice of intended change) 20 mg/m3
Poland Maximum permissible concentration (MPC) 1985 (r)
- Ceiling value (CLV) 50 mg/m3
Romania Maximum permissible concentration (MPC) 1985 (r)
- Time-weighted average (TWA) 500 mg/m3
- Ceiling value (CLV) 700 mg/m3
Sweden Threshold limit value (TLV) 1985
- Time-weighted average (TWA) 20 mg/m3
- Short-term exposure limit (STEL) 40 mg/m3
Switzerland Maximum work-site concentration (MAK) 1987 (r)
- Time-weighted average (TWA) 8 mg/m3
Medium Specification Country/ Exposure limit description Value Effective
organization date
United Recommended limit 1987 (r)
Kingdom - Time-weighted average (TWA) 40 mg/m3
USA Permissible exposure limit (PEL) 1987 (r)
(ACGIH) - Time-weighted average (TWA) 20 mg/m3
- Short-term exposure limit (STEL) 80 mg/m3
USA Recommended exposure limit (REL) lowest reliable 1987 (r)
(NIOSH) detectable
concentration
USSR Maximum allowable concentration (MAC) 1977
- Ceiling value (CLV) 50 mg/m3
WATER Surface USSR Maximum allowable concentration (MAC) 0.0006 1983
mg/litre
Drinking World Health Guideline value 0.0003 1983 (r)
water Organization mg/litre
FOOD EEC Proposed limit 5 mg/kg
PACKAGING
FOOD EEC Proposed limit 50 g/kg
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BRETHERICK, L. (1981) Hazards in the chemical laboratory, 3rd ed.
London, The Royal Society of Chemistry.
CEC (1984) Classification and labelling of dangerous substances.
Brussels, Commission of the European Communities.
CEFIC Transport emergency cards, Brussels, Conseil Européen des
Federations de l'Industrie Chimique.
DUTCH CHEMICAL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (1980) Handling chemicals
safely, 2nd ed. Amsterdam, Dutch Association of Safety Experts,
Dutch Safety Institute.
GOSSELIN, R.E. et al. (1984) Clinical toxicology of commercial
products, 5th ed. Baltimore, Maryland, The Williams and Wilkins
Company.
HANDBUCH GEFAHRLICHE STOFFE IN SONDERABFALLEN (1978) [Materialien
5/78. Erarbeitet vom Umweltbundesamt in Auftrag des Bundesministers
des Innern,] Berlin, Erich Schmidt Verlag (in German).
HOMMEL, G. (1987) [Handbuch der gefährliche Güter,] 2nd ed. Berlin,
Springer Verlag (in German).
IARC (1972-present) IARC monographs on the evaluation of
carcinogenic risk of chemicals to man, Lyon, International Agency
for Research on Cancer.
IRPTC (1987) IRPTC legal file 1986, Geneva, International Register
of Potentially Toxic Chemicals, United Nations Environment Programme.
IRPTC (1985) Treatment and disposal methods for waste chemicals,
Geneva, International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals, United
Nations Environment Programme.
IRPTC Data profile on individual chemical substances (unpublished
file), Geneva, International Register of Potentially Toxic
Chemicals, United Nations Environment Programme.
SAX, N.I. (1984) Dangerous properties of industrial materials,
New York, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, Inc.
UNITED NATIONS (1986) Recommendations on the transport of dangerous
goods, 4th ed. New York, United Nations.
US NIOSH Current intelligence bulletins, US Department of Health,
Education and Welfare.
US NIOSH (1976) A guide to industrial respiratory protection,
US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, pp. 76-189.
US NIOSH/OSHA (1981) Occupational health guidelines for chemical
hazards, 3 Vols., Washington DC, US Department of Health and Human
Services, US Department of Labor (Publication No. DHHS(NIOSH) 01-123).
US NIOSH/OSHA (1985) Pocket guide to chemical hazards, Washington
DC, US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, US Department of
Labor (Publication No. 85.114).
WHO (In press) Environmental Health Criteria No. 100: Vinylidene
chloride. Geneva, World Health Organization.