| Chemical Abstract Number (CAS #) |
67721
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| Synonyms | Hexachloroethane |
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Ethane, hexachloro- |
| Analytical Methods |
EPA Method 524.2 |
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EPA Method 612 |
EPA Method 625 |
EPA Method 8120A |
EPA Method 8250A |
EPA Method 8260A |
| Molecular Formula | C2Cl6 |
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| Use | Solvent; in explosives; as camphor substitute in celluloid
COMPONENT OF SCREENING SMOKES AND COMPONENT OF EXTREME
PRESSURE LUBRICANTS; DEGASSING AGENT IN PRODUCTION OF ALUMINUM &
MAGNESIUM METALS
Organic synthesis; retarding agent in fermentation
Medication (Vet): Anthelmintic (flukicide) Former use
Hexachloroethane is used in refining aluminium alloys. It is also used for removing impurities
from molten metals, recovering metals from ores or smelting products and improving the quality
of various metals and alloys.
Hexachloroethane is contained in pyrotechnics. It inhibits the explosiveness of methane and the
combustion of ammonium perchlorate. Smoke containing hexachloroethane is used to extinguish
fires.
Hexachloroethane has various applications as a polymer additive. It has flame proofing qualities,
increases sensitivity to radiation crosslinking, and is used as a vulcanizing agent. Added to
polymer fibers, it acts as a swelling agent and increases affinity for dyes.
Moth repellant former use/; fire extinguishing fluids manufacture; laboratory chemical; military
smoke candles and grenades; plasticizer for cellulose esters; insecticide and rubber process
solvent; camphor substitute in nitrocellulose solvent; retardant in fermentation process
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| Consumption Patterns | According to USA distributors, hexachloroethane had three major applications within the
United States prior to 1979: 50% used by the military in the production of smoke bombs and
other smoke munitions. 30-40% in the manufacture of degassing pellets to be used in aluminum
foundries to force air bubbles out of molten ore. 10-20% as an anthelmintic for the control of
sheep flukes.
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| Apparent Color | RHOMBIC CRYSTALS FROM ALCOHOL AND ETHER; COLORLESS
CRYSTALS; Crystalline powder; Colorless solid; Crystal structure: rhombic up to 46 deg C;
triclinic 46-71 deg C
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| Odor | Camphor-like odor
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| Boiling Point | 186 DEG C @ 777 MM HG (SUBLIMES)
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| Molecular Weight | 236.74
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| Density | 2.091 @ 20 DEG C/4 DEG C
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| Odor Threshold Concentration | Odor detection in water: 1x10-2 mg/l
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| Sensitivity Data | Mucous membranes, skin, lung, and cornea irritation.
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| Environmental Impact | Potential sources of hexachloroethane release to the environment include: formation
during combustion and incineration of chlorinated wastes (PVC), release to air due to volatility
and inefficient solvent recovery and recirculation (hexachloroethane is an impurity in some
chlorinated solvents), and formation of very small amounts during chlorination of sewage effluent
prior to discharge. Hexachloroethane is also reported to be produced in very small quantities from
chlorination of raw water during drinking water treatment. If released to unadapted soil, this
compound may persist for greater than 2 years and could potentially contaminate groundwater.
Hexachloroethane should volatilize slowly from dry soil surfaces. If released to water,
volatilization appears to be the dominant removal mechanism (half-life 15 hours from a model
river). Moderate to slight adsorption to suspended solids and sediments may occur.
Biodegradation, photolysis, oxidation by reaction with singlet oxygen, alkylperoxy radicals or
hydroxyl radicals, and chemical hydrolysis are not expected to be important fate processes. If
released to air, hexachloroethane should exist almost entirely in the vapor phase. This compound
is not expected to degrade in the troposphere. It should diffuse slowly into the stratosphere
(half-life approximately 30 years) where it is predicted to photodegrade. As a result of its
persistence in the troposphere, long range transport is expected to occur The most probable route
of human exposure to hexachloroethane is inhalation of contaminated occupational or ambient air.
Some segments of the general population may also be exposed by ingestion of contaminated
drinking water.
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| Environmental Fate | TERRESTRIAL FATE: If released to soil, hexachloroethane is expected to have
medium to low mobility. Chemical hydrolysis is not expected to be an important fate process. This
compound may volatilize slowly from dry soil surfaces. It has been reported that
hexachloroethane may persist in unadapted soil for greater than 2 years . Hexachloroethane
injected into a sandy aquifer decreased to below detectable levels in 330 days .
AQUATIC FATE: If released to water, volatilization appears to be the dominant removal
mechanism (half-life 15 hours from a model river). One biodegradation screening study has shown
that a mixed microbial population was capable of degrading hexachloroethane. However,
biodegradation is not expected to occur at a rate which would make this an important fate process
in natural water systems. Moderate to slight adsorption to suspended solids and sediments may
occur. Photolysis, oxidation by reaction with singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radicals or alkylperoxy
radicals and chemical hydrolysis are not expected to be important.
ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Based on a vapor pressure of 0.21 mm Hg at 20 deg C,
hexachloroethane is expected to exist almost entirely in the vapor phase in the
atmosphere(1,2,SRC). Hexachloroethane is persistent in the troposphere and as a result
long-range transport should occur. This compound is expected to diffuse slowly into the
stratosphere (half-life approximately 30 yrs ) where photodegradation may be an important fate
process.
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| Drinking Water Impact | Drinking water, groundwater, surface water: Hexachloroethane has been found in 1
river water sample, 8 samples of finished drinking water in the USA. It has been detected in
river water and tap water, at a level of 4.4 ug/l. It was detected in only one sample of surface
waters collected from 204 sites near heavily industrialized areas.
Groundwater: A study of ground water pollution in Switzerland by volatile organic chemicals
including hexachloroethane is reported.
SURFACE WATER: US EPA STORET Database - 882 whole water samples, 0.1% pos,
median concn <10 ug/l . Fall 1980 in Lake Ontario - 0.2 ng/l . Detected in Ganaraska River
and detected in Cuyahoga River . 1982 US EPA Nationwide Urban Runoff Program (NURP) -
86 samples urban runoff from 15 cities, 0% pos. . Identified in 1/204 water samples collected
from 14 heavily industralized river basins across US, detection limit 1 ug/l .
DRINKING WATER: Detected in 4/14 US drinking water supplies sampled between July 1977
and June 1979, raw water supply - surface water . Identified in finished drinking water from
Philadelphia, PA, Cincinnati, OH, Miami, FL, New Orleans, LA, Jefferson City, MO and
Evansville, IN(2,3,4,5,6). Highest concentration found in finished drinking water during 1975 US
EPA National Organics Reconnaisance Survey (NORS) - 4.4 ug/l . Not detected in finished
drinking water from 10 Canadian water treatment plants(7).
GROUNDWATER: Identified in leachate from the Occidental Chemial Co S-Area landfill in
Niagara Falls, NY . During 1978, detected in groundwater contaminated by leachate from a
pesticide waste dump in Hardeman County, TN: concn range trace to 4.6 ug/l; median concn 0.26
ug/l .
EFFL: It has been detected in the effluent from a USA chemical plant at a level of 8.4 ug/l.
US EPA STORET Database - 1253 effluent sample 0.2% pos, median concn <10 ug/l . Concn
in treated wastewater from coal mining <0.4 ug/l . Identified in wastewater from paper mills,
concn <1 ug/l .
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