| Chemical Abstract Number (CAS #) |
75876
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| Synonyms | Trichloroacetaldehyde |
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Chloral | Acetaldehyde, trichloro- |
| Analytical Methods |
EPA Method 8240B |
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EPA Method 8260A |
| Molecular Formula | C2HCl3O |
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| Use | USED IN SPRAYING & POURING OF POLYURETHANES.
CHEM INT FOR THE HERBICIDE TRICHLOROACETIC ACID, FOR CHLORAL
HYDRATE.
Used to induce swelling of starch granules at room temperature.
Intermediate in the manufacture of DDT, methoxychlor, DDVP, naled, and trichlorofon.
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| Consumption Patterns | ABOUT 40% AS A CHEM INT FOR THE INSECTICIDE DDT; ABOUT 10% AS A
CHEM INT FOR THE INSECTICIDES METHOXYCHLOR, DDVP, AND NALED; ABOUT
50% IN OTHER APPLICATIONS (EST)(1975)
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| Apparent Color | OILY LIQ; COLORLESS LIQUID
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| Odor | IRRITATING ODOR
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| Boiling Point | 97.8 DEG C @ 760 MM HG
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| Melting Point | -57.5 DEG C
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| Molecular Weight | 147.40
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| Density | 1.5121 @ 20 DEG C/4 DEG C
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| Environmental Impact | Trichloroacetaldehyde may be released to the environment as a result of a variety of
industrial (chloral) processes in which it is used such as in the synthesis of methoxychlor and
DVPP. It may be formed in wood processing plants in the chlorination portion of the bleaching
process, so release from such plants is possible. When released to soil, trichloroacetaldehyde is
expected to react with the water therein to yield chloral hydrate. In the event of a large spill, or a
spill onto a relatively dry soil, a moderate amount of volatilization would be expected to occur.
When released to water, the predominant reaction will be that with water to form chloral hydrate.
Since this reaction is dominant it is not possible to realistically assess other fate processes. The
half-life for the vapor-phase reaction of trichloroacetaldehyde with photochemically produced
hydrol radicals has been estimated to be 10.77 hr at an atmosphere concn of 8X10.5 hydrol
radicals per cu cm. It may also react with moisture in the atmosphere to form chloral hydrate
which would be subject to rainout. Exposure to trichloroacetaldehyde will primarily be
occupational.
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| Environmental Fate | TERRESTRIAL FATE: If released on soil, trichloroacetaldehyde should react rapidly
with soil moisture to form chloral hydrate, which due to its high solubility, may leach into ground
water. In the result of a large release of trichloroacetaldehyde to the soil or a spill onto relatively
dry soil, a moderate amount of volatilization would be expected to occur.
AQUATIC FATE: When released into water, trichloroacetaldehyde will react rapidly with the
water to form chloral hydrate. This will be the predominant reaction determining the
environmental fate of trichloroacetaldehyde in water. Although this reaction is reversible, the
equilibrium favors the product (27,000 to 1) so the trichloroacetaldehyde will be essentially
removed from the medium. Volatization, bioconcentration and biodegradation of
trichloroacetaldehyde are not expected to be significant.
ATMOSPHERIC FATE: The half-life for the vapor phase reaction of trichloroacetaldehyde with
photochemically produced hydrol radicals has been estimated to be 10.77 hr at an atmospheric
concn of 8X10 5 hydrol radicals per cu cm. Since trichloroacetaldehyde rapidly reacts with water
to form chloral hydrate, this reaction should occur on contact with moisture in the air. There is
also a possibility that direct photolysis will occur but no data in this process were available.
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| Drinking Water Impact | DRINKING WATER: Trichloroacetaldehyde was reported in the drinking water
supplies of several US cities as follows: Philadephia, PA - 5 ug/l; Seattle, WA - 3.5 ug/l;
Cincinnati, OH - 2 ug/l; Terrebonne Parish, LA - 1 ug/l; New York City, NY - 0.02 ug/l; Grand
Forks, ND - 0.01 ug/l . Since trichloroacetaldehyde reacts rapidly with water to form chloral
hydrate, it is probable that it was this latter compound which was in the water and that the
trichloroacetaldehyde was formed during the analytical "purge and trap" procedure.
SURFACE WATER: Trichloroacetaldehyde was reported at a mean concentration of 1.0 ug/l in
water from the New Orleans/Baton Rouge area . Trichloroacetaldehyde was also reported but
not quantified in water samples collected in 6 of 10 US cities and in one sample of surface
water taken from a river or lowland reservoir in the United Kingdom . Since
trichloroacetaldehyde reacts rapidly with water to form chloral hydrate, it is probable that it was
this latter compound which was in the water and that the trichloroacetaldehyde was formed
during the analytical "purge and trap" procedure.
EFFL: Trichloroacetaldehyde was reported in the spent chlorination liquor from bleaching of
sulfite pulp at high lignin content and pulp at normal lignin content after oxygen treatment
(approximate concentrations of < 0.1-0.5 g/ton pulp) .
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