Right to Know

Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: VINYL CHLORIDE
Synonyms: Chloroethylene; Monochloroethylene; VCM CAS Number: 75-01-4
Chemical Name: Ethene, Chloro- RTK Substance Number: 2001
Date: November 2010 Revision: October 2015 DOT Number: UN 1086

Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE LAST PAGE

Vinyl Chloride is a colorless gas, with a sweet odor at high Hazard Summary
concentrations, that is usually handled as a liquid under Hazard Rating NJDOH NFPA
pressure. It is used to make Polyvinyl Chloride for pipes, wire, HEALTH 4 2
and cable coatings, and in furniture, automobiles, and FLAMMABILITY 4 4
adhesives. REACTIVITY 2 2
CARCINOGEN
 ODOR THRESHOLD = >3,000 ppm FLAMMABLE AND REACTIVE
 Odor thresholds vary greatly. Do not rely on odor alone to POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
determine potentially hazardous exposures. CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE

Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;

Reasons for Citation 4=severe
 Vinyl Chloride is on the Right to Know Hazardous
 Vinyl Chloride can affect you when inhaled.
Substance List because it is cited by OSHA, ACGIH, DOT,
 Vinyl Chloride is a CARCINOGEN and MUTAGEN.
NIOSH, NTP, DEP, IARC, NFPA and EPA.
HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION.
 This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance
 Vinyl Chloride can cause reproductive damage.
List.
 Exposure to Vinyl Chloride can severely irritate and burn
the skin and eyes with possible eye damage. Contact with
the liquid or gas can cause frostbite.
 Inhaling Vinyl Chloride can irritate the nose, throat and
SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. lungs.
 Vinyl Chloride can cause headache, nausea, vomiting,
FIRST AID dizziness, fatigue, weakness and confusion. Higher levels
Eye Contact can cause lightheadedness and passing out.
 Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 30  Prolonged or repeated exposure can damage the liver,
minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact nervous system and lungs.
 Repeated exposure can damage the skin (scleroderma),
lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention.
bones (acro-osteolysis) and blood vessels in the hands
(Raynaud's Syndrome).
Skin Contact
 Vinyl Chloride is FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE and a
 Immerse affected part in warm water. Seek medical
DANGEROUS FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD.
attention.
 EXPLOSIVE POLYMERIZATION may occur at elevated
temperatures if Vinyl Chloride is not inhibited.
Inhalation
 Remove the person from exposure.
 Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if
breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Workplace Exposure Limits
 Transfer promptly to a medical facility. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
1 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 5 ppm,
not to be exceeded during any 15-minute work period.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS NIOSH: Recommends that exposure to occupational
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 carcinogens be limited to the lowest feasible
concentration.
CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300
NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 1 ppm averaged
over an 8-hour workshift.
National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802
Vinyl Chloride is a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may
be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact
should be reduced to the lowest possible level.
VINYL CHLORIDE Page 2 of 6

Determining Your Exposure

Reproductive Hazard
 Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data  Vinyl Chloride may damage the developing fetus.
Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product  There is limited evidence that Vinyl Chloride is a teratogen
ingredients and important safety and health information in animals. Until further testing has been done, it should be
about the product mixture. treated as a possible teratogen in humans.
 There is limited evidence that Vinyl Chloride may damage
 For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New the male reproductive system (including decreasing the
Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact sperm count) and may affect male fertility.
Sheet, available on the RTK website  An excess of spontaneous abortions has been reported
(http://nj.gov/health/workplacehealthandsafety/right-to- among spouses of workers who had been exposed to Vinyl
know) or in your facility’s RTK Central File or Hazard Chloride.
Communication Standard file.
Other Effects
 You have a right to this information under the New Jersey
Worker and Community Right to Know Act and the Public  Prolonged or repeated exposure can damage the liver,
Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act nervous system and lungs.
if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the  Repeated exposure can cause a disease called
"scleroderma." This causes the skin to become very
federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you
smooth, tight and shiny. It causes the bones of the fingers to
are a private worker. erode (acro-osteolysis), and damages the blood vessels in
 The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most the hands or feet (Raynaud's syndrome). This causes the
employers to label chemicals in the workplace and fingers or toes to turn numb, pale or blue, with even mild
requires public employers to provide their employees with cold exposure.
information concerning chemical hazards and controls.
The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 Medical
CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication Medical Testing
Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide Before first exposure and every 12 months thereafter, OSHA
similar information and training to their employees. requires your employer to provide (for persons exposed to
0.5 ppm of Vinyl Chloride) a work and medical history and
This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information exam which shall include:
regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure.
Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other  Liver function tests
factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential  Chest x-ray and lung function tests
effects described below.
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the
following are recommended:
Health Hazard Information  Exam of the nervous system
Acute Health Effects  Exam of the skin
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Vinyl Chloride: OSHA requires your employer to provide you and your doctor
with a copy of the OSHA Vinyl Chloride Standard (29 CFR
 Exposure to Vinyl Chloride can severely irritate and burn 1910.1017).
the skin and eyes with possible eye damage. Contact with
the liquid or gas can cause frostbite. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and
 Inhaling Vinyl Chloride can irritate the nose, throat and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for
lungs causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of damage already done are not a substitute for controlling
breath. exposure.
 Vinyl Chloride can cause headache, nausea, vomiting,
dizziness, fatigue, weakness and confusion. Higher levels Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right
can cause lightheadedness and passing out. to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee
Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at Mixed Exposures
some time after exposure to Vinyl Chloride and can last for  More than light alcohol consumption can cause liver
months or years: damage. Drinking alcohol may increase the liver damage
caused by Vinyl Chloride.
Cancer Hazard
 Vinyl Chloride is a CARCINOGEN in humans. It has been
shown to cause liver, brain, lung, and other types of cancer.
 Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to
a carcinogen.
VINYL CHLORIDE Page 3 of 6

Workplace Controls and Practices  The recommended protective clothing materials for Vinyl
Chloride are Tychem® BR, CSM and TK; and Trellchem®
Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or
HPS and VPS or the equivalent.
sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less
 Where exposure to cold equipment, vapors, or liquid may
toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures
occur, employees should be provided with insulated gloves
include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely
and special clothing designed to prevent the freezing of body
irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust
tissues.
ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single
 All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control
should be clean, available each day, and put on before work.
exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on
workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control
Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. Eye Protection
 Wear non-vented, impact resistant goggles when working
The following work practices are also recommended: with fumes, gases, or vapors.
 Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with
 Label process containers. corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances.
 Provide employees with hazard information and training. Do not wear contact lenses when working with this
 Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. substance.
 Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed
recommended exposure levels. Respiratory Protection
 Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators
 Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous should only be used if the employer has implemented a written
material. program that takes into account workplace conditions,
 Always wash at the end of the workshift.
requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and
 Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes
contaminated. medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory
 Do not take contaminated clothing home. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134).
 Get special training to wash contaminated clothing.
 Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are  Where the potential exists for exposure over 1 ppm, use a
being handled, processed or stored. NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece
 Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure
applying cosmetics or using the toilet. mode. For increased protection use in combination with an
auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus or an
In addition, the following may be useful or required: emergency escape air cylinder.
 DO NOT USE CHEMICAL CARTRIDGE OR CANISTER
RESPIRATORS.
 Specific actions are required for this chemical by OSHA.
Refer to the OSHA Vinyl Chloride Standard (29 CFR
1910.1017).
 Before entering a confined space where Vinyl Chloride may Fire Hazards
be present, check to make sure that an explosive If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
concentration does not exist. and equipped as stated in the OSHA Fire Brigades Standard
 Transfer Vinyl Chloride from cylinders or other containers to (29 CFR 1910.156).
process containers in an enclosed system.
 Vinyl Chloride is a FLAMMABLE AND REACTIVE GAS that
can EXPLOSIVELY POLYMERIZE if not inhibited.
Personal Protective Equipment  DO NOT attempt to extinguish fire unless flow can be
stopped. Shut off supply or let burn.
The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR  Use dry chemical or CO2 for small fires.
1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate  POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including
personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train Hydrogen Chloride and Phosgene.
employees on how and when to use protective equipment.  CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
 Use water spray to reduce vapors and to keep containers
cool.
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may  Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a distance to cause
not apply to every situation. a fire or explosion far from the source or flash back.
 Flow or agitation may generate electrostatic charges.
Gloves and Clothing  Vinyl Chloride may form an ignitable vapor/air mixture in
 Avoid skin contact with Vinyl Chloride. Wear personal closed tanks or containers.
protective equipment made from material which can not be
permeated or degraded by this substance. Safety
equipment suppliers and manufacturers can provide
recommendations on the most protective glove and clothing
material for your operation.
 The recommended glove materials for Vinyl Chloride are
Viton, Viton/Butyl, Silver Shield®/4H® and Barrier®.
VINYL CHLORIDE Page 4 of 6

Spills and Emergencies Occupational Health Information

If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be
Resources
properly trained and equipped. The OSHA Hazardous Waste
Operations and Emergency Response Standard (29 CFR The New Jersey Department of Health offers multiple services
1910.120) may apply. in occupational health. These services include providing
informational resources, educational materials, public
If Vinyl Chloride is leaked, take the following steps: presentations, and industrial hygiene and medical
investigations and evaluations.
 Evacuate personnel and secure and control entrance to the
area.
 Eliminate ignition sources. For more information, please contact:
 Ventilate area of leak to disperse the gas.
 Stop flow of gas. If source of leak is a cylinder and the leak
cannot be stopped in place, remove the leaking cylinder to a New Jersey Department of Health
safe place in the open air, and repair leak or allow cylinder to Right to Know
empty. PO Box 368
 Absorb liquids in dry sand, earth, or a similar material and Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
place into sealed containers for disposal. Phone: 609-984-2202
 Turn leaking cylinder with leak up to prevent escape of gas
Fax: 609-984-7407
in liquid state.
 Ventilate area of spill or leak. E-mail: [email protected]
 Keep Vinyl Chloride out of confined spaces, such as Web address:
sewers, because of the possibility of an explosion. http://nj.gov/health/workplacehealthandsafety/right-to-
 DO NOT wash into sewer. know
 It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Vinyl
Chloride as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state
The Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your
regional office of the federal Environmental Protection are not intended to be copied and sold
Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. for commercial purposes.

Handling and Storage

Prior to working with Vinyl Chloride you should be trained on
its proper handling and storage.

 A regulated, marked area should be established where Vinyl

Chloride is handled, used or stored as required by the
OSHA Vinyl Chloride Standard (29 CFR 1910.1017).
 Vinyl Chloride can polymerize rapidly or explosively when
exposed to elevated temperatures (over 125oF (52oC)), or
when exposed to AIR or LIGHT in the presence of a
CATALYST.
 Vinyl Chloride reacts violently with OXIDIZING AGENTS
(such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES,
PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES,
CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE).
 Vinyl Chloride is not compatible with WATER; METALS
(such as COPPER, ALUMINUM, IRON and STEEL); METAL
CARBIDES; and METAL ALLOYS as fires and/or explosions
may occur.
 Phenol should be used as an inhibitor to prevent violent
polymerization of Vinyl Chloride.
 Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
area away from MOISTURE, HEAT SOURCES and
METALS.
 Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are
prohibited where Vinyl Chloride is used, handled, or stored.
 Metal containers involving the transfer of Vinyl Chloride
should be grounded and bonded.
 Use explosion-proof electrical equipment and fittings
wherever Vinyl Chloride is used, handled, manufactured, or
stored.
 Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially when
opening and closing containers of Vinyl Chloride.
 Vinyl Chloride may accumulate static electricity.
VINYL CHLORIDE Page 5 of 6

GLOSSARY

ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial LEL or Lower Explosive Limit, is the lowest concentration of
Hygienists. They publish guidelines called Threshold Limit a combustible substance (gas or vapor) in the air capable of
Values (TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. continuing an explosion.
mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air.
Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) are established
It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).
by the EPA. They describe the risk to humans resulting from
once-in-a lifetime, or rare, exposure to airborne chemicals.
A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation
is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations
Boiling point is the temperature at which a substance can
can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.
change its physical state from a liquid to a gas.
NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies
A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer.
substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.
The CAS number is unique, identifying number, assigned by
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
the Chemical Abstracts Service, to a specific chemical.
Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves
respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and
CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which are the
proposes standards to OSHA.
regulations of the United States government.
NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals
A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn.
and reviews evidence for cancer.
A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes
OSHA is the federal Occupational Safety and Health
destruction of human skin or severe corrosion of containers.
Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety
standards.
The critical temperature is the temperature above which a
gas cannot be liquefied, regardless of the pressure applied.
PEOSHA is the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational
Safety and Health Act, which adopts and enforces health and
DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental
safety standards in public workplaces.
Protection.
Permeated is the movement of chemicals through protective
DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency
materials.
that regulates the transportation of chemicals.
ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a
EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal
measure of concentration by volume in air.
agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards.
Protective Action Criteria (PAC) are values established by
ERG is the Emergency Response Guidebook. It is a guide for
the Department of Energy and are based on AEGLs and
emergency responders for transportation emergencies
ERPGs. They are used for emergency planning of chemical
involving hazardous substances.
release events.
Emergency Response Planning Guideline (ERPG) values
A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases
provide estimates of concentration ranges where one
energy under certain conditions.
reasonably might anticipate observing adverse effects.
STEL is a Short Term Exposure Limit which is usually a 15-
A fetus is an unborn human or animal.
minute exposure that should not be exceeded at any time
during a work day.
A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will
ignite easily and burn rapidly.
A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by
damaging the fetus.
The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid
gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air.
UEL or Upper Explosive Limit is the highest concentration in
air above which there is too much fuel (gas or vapor) to begin a
IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a
reaction or explosion.
scientific group.
Vapor Density is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of
Ionization Potential is the amount of energy needed to
one gas to the weight of another (usually Air), at the same
remove an electron from an atom or molecule. It is measured
temperature and pressure.
in electron volts.
The vapor pressure is a force exerted by the vapor in
IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database on
equilibrium with the solid or liquid phase of the same
human health effects that may result from exposure to various
substance. The higher the vapor pressure the higher
chemicals, maintained by federal EPA.
concentration of the substance in air.
 Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: VINYL CHLORIDE

Synonyms: Chloroethylene; Monochloroethylene; VCM
CAS No: 75-01-4
Molecular Formula: CH2 = CHCl
RTK Substance No: 2001
Description: Colorless gas, with a sweet odor at high concentrations, that is usually handled as a liquid under pressure

HAZARD DATA
Hazard Rating Firefighting Reactivity
FLAMMABLE AND REACTIVE GAS that can Vinyl Chloride can polymerize rapidly or explosively
4 - Health EXPLOSIVELY POLYMERIZE if not inhibited. when exposed to elevated temperatures (over 125oF
4 - Fire DO NOT attempt to extinguish fire unless flow can be (52oC)), or when exposed to AIR or LIGHT in the
stopped. Shut off supply or let burn. presence of a CATALYST.
2 - Reactivity Use dry chemical or CO2 for small fires. Vinyl Chloride reacts violently with OXIDIZING AGENTS
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES,
DOT#: UN 1086 including Hydrogen Chloride and Phosgene.
PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES,
ERG Guide #: 116P CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE).
Use water spray to reduce vapors and to keep containers
Hazard Class: 2.1 cool. Vinyl Chloride is not compatible with WATER; METALS
(Flammable Gas) Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a distance to (such as COPPER, ALUMINUM, IRON and STEEL);
cause a fire or explosion far from the source or flash METAL CARBIDES; and METAL ALLOYS as fires and/or
back. explosions may occur.
Flow or agitation may generate electrostatic charges. Phenol should be used as an inhibitor to prevent violent
Vinyl Chloride may form an ignitable vapor/air mixture in polymerization of Vinyl Chloride.
closed tanks or containers. Vinyl Chloride may accumulate static electricity.
SPILL/LEAKS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Isolation Distance: Odor Threshold: >3,000 ppm
Spill: 100 meters (330 feet) Flash Point: -108oF (-78oC)
Fire: 800 meters (1/2 mile) LEL: 3.6%
Stop flow of gas. If source of leak is a cylinder and the leak UEL: 33%
cannot be stopped in place, remove the leaking cylinder to a Auto Ignition Temp: 882oF (472oC)
safe place in the open air, and repair leak or allow cylinder to
empty. Vapor Density: 2.2 (air = 1)
Absorb liquids in dry sand, earth, or a similar material and Vapor Pressure: 2,524 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
place into sealed containers for disposal. Specific Gravity: 0.9 (water = 1)
Keep Vinyl Chloride out of confined spaces, such as sewers, Water Solubility: Very slightly soluble
because of the possibility of an explosion.
Boiling Point: 17oF (-8.3oC)
Turn leaking cylinder with leak up to prevent escape of gas in
liquid state. Freezing Point: -245o to -256oF (-154o to -160oC)
Use non-sparkling tools and ground and bond containers Ionization Potential: 9.99 eV
when transferring Vinyl Chloride. Critical Temperature: 306o to 317.3oF (152o to 158.5oC)
Vinyl Chloride is hazardous to the environment. Molecular Weight: 62.5

EXPOSURE LIMITS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

OSHA: 1 ppm, 8-hr TWA; 5 ppm, Ceiling Gloves: Insulated Viton, Viton/Butyl, Silver Shield®/4H® and Barrier®
NIOSH: Lowest feasible concentration (>8-hr breakthrough)
ACGIH: 1 ppm, 8-hr TWA Coveralls: Tychem® BR, CSM and TK; Trellchem HPS and VPS (8-hr
The Protective Action Criteria values are: breakthrough)
PAC-1 = 250 ppm PAC-2 = 1,200 ppm >10% of the LEL wear flash protection or turnout gear
PAC-3 = 4,800 ppm Respirator: SCBA

HEALTH EFFECTS FIRST AID AND DECONTAMINATION

Eyes: Irritation and burns, contact with liquid or gas Remove the person from exposure.
may cause frostbite Flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 30 minutes. Remove
Skin: Irritation and burns, contact with liquid or gas contact lenses if worn. Seek medical attention.
may cause frostbite Immerse affected part in warm water. Seek medical attention.
Inhalation: Nose, throat and lung irritation with coughing, Begin artificial respiration if breathing has stopped and CPR if necessary.
wheezing and shortness of breath Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness and
passing out
Chronic: Cancer (liver, brain, and lung) in humans
October 2015