Product Safety Assessment
Allyl Chloride
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Names
Product Overview
Manufacture of Product
Product Description
Product Uses
Exposure Potential
Health Information
Environmental Information
Physical Hazard Information
Regulatory Information
Additional Information
References
Names
•CAS No. 107-05-1 •Allyl chloride
•3-Chloropropene •3-Chloro-1-propene •Monochloropropylene •Chloroallylene
•1-Chloro-2-propene •2-Propenyl chloride
•3-Chloropropylene •alpha-Chloropropylene
•Chlorallylene
Product Overview
•Allyl chloride is a highly reactive organic chemical. In its pure form, allyl chloride is a clear, colorless liquid with an unpleasant, pungent odor. See Product Description.
•Allyl chloride has found widespread use as a chemical intermediate in many industries and applications. Uses for allyl chloride include: the preparation of polymers, resins, and other plastic materials; increased oil production; the preparation and modification of catalysts; and the manufacture of pesticides, adhesives, flame retardants, chelating agents, detergents, dyestuffs, flavorings, metal brighteners, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, and urethanes.1 See Product Uses.
•Allyl chloride has been safely used for almost half a century. It is used and stored in enclosed systems. Good mechanical ventilation and proper protective equipment help minimize
employee exposure to allyl chloride.2 See Exposure Potential.
•Allyl chloride is extremely irritating to the skin, eyes, and the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms and effects may be delayed. Excessive exposure to the skin may result in severe irritation, chemical burns, and possible systemic injury, particularly to the liver and kidneys. Rep
eated or prolonged exposure of high concentrations of vapors may result in irritation of the upper respiratory tract and lungs, systemic effects, and central nervous system depression and injury.3 See Health Information.
•Allyl chloride is a highly flammable, highly reactive liquid. It is stable at ambient temperatures;
however, it is incompatible with oxidizing materials, bases and metals. This product can
decompose at elevated temperatures.4 See Physical Hazard Information.
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Manufacture of Product
•Capacity – Dow produces allyl chloride in the following locations:  Stade, Germany; Freeport, Texas.
•Process – Allyl chloride is manufactured by the hot chlorination (500ºC) of propylene in a closed system.5
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Product Description6
In its pure form, allyl chloride is a clear, colorless liquid, possessing an unpleasant, pungent odor. It is miscible in alcohol, chloroform, ether, acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, heptane, and toluene. However, allyl chloride is only slightly soluble or miscible in water. Dow produces only an anhydrous (dry) grade of allyl chloride.
Allyl chloride has two ways it can react with chemicals: through its primary chlorine bond and its olefinic double bond.
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Product Uses7
Allyl chloride is used as a monomer or reactive intermediate in the production of many materials, including:
•Polymers, resins, and other plastic materials
• Epichlorohydrin
• Catalysts
• Pesticides
• Adhesives
retardants
• Flame
agents
• Chelating
• Detergents
• Dyestuffs
• Flavorings
brighteners
• Metal
• Perfumes
• Pharmaceuticals
• Urethanes
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Exposure Potential
Allyl chloride is used in the production of industrial and consumer products. Based on the uses for allyl chloride, the public could be exposed through:
•Workplace exposure – Exposure can occur either in an allyl chloride manufacturing facility or in the various industrial or manufacturing facilities that use allyl chloride. It is produced, distributed, stored and consumed in closed systems. Those working with allyl chloride in manufacturing operations could
be exposed during maintenance, sampling, testing or other procedures. Because of the hazards associated with allyl chloride, Dow has a documented auditing process in place to ensure that its customers have the capability and facilities to safely receive and use allyl chloride. In addition, each manufacturing facility should have a thorough training program for employees, appropriate work processes and safety equipment in place to limit unnecessary allyl chloride exposure. Good mechanical ventilation is the
standard method for controlling employee exposure to allyl chloride and/or solvent vapors.8 See Health Information.
•Consumer exposure to products containing allyl chloride – Dow does not sell allyl chloride for direct consumer use, but it is used as a raw material to make products that
consumers might use, such as water treatments, pesticides or detergents. Because allyl chloride is a reactive material, it is unlikely that there is any unreacted allyl chloride in final consumer products. However, consumers should read product labels carefully to minimize the health risks associated with any product. See Health Information.
•Environmental releases9 – In the event of a spill, the focus is on containing the spill to prevent contamreactive materials studies
ination of soil, surface or ground water. Spilled material should also be
prevented from coming into contact with reactive chemicals or materials. For small spills, allyl chloride should be absorbed with inert materials such as sand or ground polyolefins. Its high vapor pressure and insolubility in water make allyl chloride tend to accumulate (partition) into the air, which creates an inhalation and flammability risk. Eliminate all sources of ignition immediately. Allyl chloride is moderately toxic to aquatic organisms. See Environmental, Health and Physical Hazard Information.
•Large release10,11 – Industrial spills or releases are infrequent and are generally contained. If
a large spill does occur, the material should be captured, collected and re-processed, or
disposed of according to applicable governmental requirements. Appropriate protective
clothing (including impervious gloves and boots), chemical workers’ goggles, a positive
pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a full-face mask approved by
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is necessary for emergency work. Eliminate all sources of ignition immediately. Use only explosion-proof equipment;
ground and bond all containers and handling equipment. In case of fire, deny any
unnecessary entry into the area and consider the use of unmanned hose holders. Contain fire water runoff if possible. Keep out of low areas where gases (fumes) can accumulate. Do not use direct water stream, as this may spread the fire. Use of water fog, may be used as a blanket for fire extinguishment. The public should be warned of down-wind vapor explosion hazards. Follow emergency procedures carefully. See Environmental, Health and Physical Hazard Information.
For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
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Health Information12,13
Allyl chloride exposure may cause moderate irritation or tearing when in contact with the eyes. Prolonged or repeated exposure to the skin may cause irritation, even a burn. A single prolonged skin exposure may result in the material being absorbed in harmful amounts. Small amounts of allyl chloride swallowed incidental to normal handling operations are not likely to cause injury; however, swallowing large amounts may cause injury. If allyl chloride is aspirated into the lung, it may be rapidly absorbed through the lungs and result in injury to other body systems.14
Allyl chloride has a disagreeable, pungent odor. The odor threshold has been estimated at approximately 3-6 ppm (parts per million) or 9-18 mg/m3, which is above the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guideline of 1 ppm or 3 mg/m3 time-weighted average for an 8-hour shift. So odor detection does not offer adequate warning to protect against allyl chloride overexposure.15
Current studies with laboratory animals show that birth defects are unlikely as a consequence of exposing the mother to allyl chloride. Other effects were seen in the fetus, but only at doses that caused toxic effects to the mother. Furthermore, allyl chloride has shown no evidence of effects on fertility or reproduction.16,17
This product contains benzene, which is listed as a carcinogen.18
For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet.
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Environmental Information
Allyl chloride is moderately toxic to aquatic organisms on an acute basis.19  Fish appeared to be the m
ost sensitive species to allyl chloride and harmful effects were found. It has to be noted that for most of the tests, volatility was not taken into account and that test results may have under estimated the intrinsic toxicity of allyl chloride.20
The potential for mobility of allyl chloride in soil is high.21 Because of its high vapor pressure, it tends to accumulate in the air.
For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
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Physical Hazard Information22
Allyl chloride is a highly flammable, highly reactive liquid. Contact with open flames, welding arcs, or other high temperature sources should be avoided.
Allyl chloride is stable at ambient temperatures; however, it can decompose at elevated temperatures. Hazardous decomposition products may include trace amounts of hydrogen chloride, chlorine, and phosgene. Hazardous polymerization will not occur with allyl chloride.
Avoid contact of allyl chloride with incompatible materials like: oxidizing materials, bases, and metals such as aluminum and its alloys, zinc powders, and aluminum powders.
For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet.
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Regulatory Information
Regulations may exist that govern the manufacture, sale, transportation, use and/or disposal of allyl chloride. These regulations may vary by city, state, country or geographic region. Information may be found by consulting the relevant Safety Data Sheet or Contact Us.
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Additional Information
•Safety Data Sheet (www.dow/webapps/msds/msdssearch.asp)
•Contact Us (epoxy.dow/epoxy/contact/)
•Dow Allyl Chloride Product Stewardship Manual – Safe Handling and Storage, Properties, Uses, and Reactions, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Form No. 296-01337-1096X-P&M •Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) International Uniform Chemical Information Database (IUCLID) Data Set, Existing Chemical ID: 107-05-1, February 27, 2004
•Occupational Health and Safety Guideline for Allyl Chloride, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 1992
(v/niosh/pdfs/0018-rev.pdf)
For more business information about allyl chloride, visit Dow’s Epoxy web site.
(epoxy.dow/)
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References
1Dow Allyl Chloride Product Stewardship Manual – Safe Handling and Storage, Properties, Uses, and Reactions, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Form No. 296-01337-1096X-P&M, page 8.
2Dow Allyl Chloride Product Stewardship Manual – Safe Handling and Storage, Properties, Uses, and Reactions, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Form No. 296-01337-1096X-P&M, pages 4, 16 and 18.
3Dow Allyl Chloride Product Stewardship Manual – Safe Handling and Storage, Properties, Uses, and Reactions, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Form No. 296-01337-1096X-P&M, page 12. 4Dow Allyl Chloride PDC Safety DataSheet, No. 3792, December 17, 2001, page 7.
5 OECD, “ Existing Chemical ID: 107-05-1,” IUCLID, February 27, 2004, page 8.
6Dow Allyl Chloride Product Stewardship Manual – Safe Handling and Storage, Properties, Uses, and Reactions, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Form No. 296-01337-1096X-P&M, page 4. 7Dow Allyl Chloride Product Stewardship Manual – Safe Handling and Storage, Properties, Uses, and Reactions, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Form No. 296-01337-1096X-P&M, page 8. 8Dow Allyl Chloride Product Stewardship Manual – Safe Handling and Storage, Properties, Uses, and Reactions, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Form No. 296-01337-1096X-P&M, page 18. 9Dow Allyl Chloride Product Stewardship Manual – Safe Handling and Storage, Properties, Uses, and Reactions, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Form No. 296-01337-1096X-P&M, page 22 and 25.
10Dow Allyl Chloride Product Stewardship Manual – Safe Handling and Storage, Properties, Uses, an
d Reactions, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Form No. 296-01337-1096X-P&M, page 20.
11Allyl Chloride PDC, Material Safety Data Sheet, The Dow Chemical Company, MSD No. 3792, December 17, 2001, page 4.
12Dow Allyl Chloride Product Stewardship Manual – Safe Handling and Storage, Properties, Uses, and Reactions, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Form No. 296-01337-1096X-P&M, page 12.
13Allyl Chloride PDC, Material Safety Data Sheet, The Dow Chemical Company, MSD No. 3792, December 17, 2001, pages 1-3.
14Allyl Chloride PDC, Material Safety Data Sheet, The Dow Chemical Company, MSD No. 3792, December 17, 2001, pages 1-3.
15Dow Allyl Chloride Product Stewardship Manual – Safe Handling and Storage, Properties, Uses, and Reactions, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Form No. 296-01337-1096X-P&M, page 12.
16Dow Allyl Chloride Product Stewardship Manual – Safe Handling and Storage, Properties, Uses, and Reactions, The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Form No. 296-01337-1096X-P&M, page 12.
17Allyl Chloride PDC, Material Safety Data Sheet, The Dow Chemical Company, MSD No. 3792, December 17, 2001, page 3.
18Allyl Chloride PDC, Material Safety Data Sheet, The Dow Chemical Company, MSD No. 3792, December 17, 2001, page 2.
19Allyl Chloride PDC, Material Safety Data Sheet, The Dow Chemical Company, MSD No. 3792, December 17, 2001, page 8.
20 IUCLID OECD, “ Existing Chemical ID: 107-05-1,” IUCLID, February 27, 2004 page 28.
21Allyl Chloride PDC, Material Safety Data Sheet, The Dow Chemical Company, MSD No. 3792, December 17, 2001, page 8.
22Allyl Chloride PDC, Material Safety Data Sheet, The Dow Chemical Company, MSD No. 3792, December 17, 2001, page 7.
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