Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Environmental Topics
  • Laws & Regulations
  • Report a Violation
  • About EPA
Risk Assessment
Contact Us

IRIS TOXICOLOGICAL REVIEW AND SUMMARY DOCUMENTS FOR CHLOROETHANE (EXTERNAL REVIEW DRAFT)

On this page:

  • Overview
  • History
  • Downloads

Alert
Alert Notice - This site contains archived material(s)

Archive disclaimer
Archived files are provided for reference purposes only. The file was current when produced, but is no longer maintained and may now be outdated. Persons with disabilities having difficulty accessing archived files may contact the Risk Webmaster for assistance. Please use the contact us form if you need additional support.

Abstract

Chloroethane (CE) is a gaseous halohydrocarbon under ambient conditions. Its uses include: a topical analgesic, an anesthetic when mixed with nitrous dioxide or trichloroethane, a degreasing agent, and an agent to blow styrene in foaming operations. Anecdotal human reports indicate that recreational CE sniffing causes neurological disturbances. Nothing is known about chronic oral toxicology in animals or humans. The lowest dose effect by chronic inhalation in CF-1 mice suggests a weak fetotoxic effect, a delayed skull foramina closure, at 13,057 mg/m3, while the dams were unremarkable. Using this effect an RfC was derived. CE caused uterine cancer in B6C3F1 female mice at chronic exposures of 39,600 mg/m3 with 90% incidence.

Many females showed metastasis at a number of organ sites and died early due to tumor load. Uterine carcinogenesis is uncommon in rodents, but is more common in humans. The mode of action is suggested by positive genotoxicity and structural similarity to bromoethane which also causes uterine cancers in the B6C3F1 mouse. Metabolic studies show that either chloromethane (CM) or CE can deplete cellular GSH pools by excessive reductive conjugation. CM and CE, when in excess, can be oxidized to formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, respectively, and both intermediates are regarded as posing a hazard to humans. For hazard identification purposes CE is judged to be a likely human carcinogen. An estimate of cancer potency was also derived using a linearized multistage model, though uncertainty exists because of bioassay limitations.

Impact/Purpose

This review analyzes various chloroethane toxicological data from different sources including the published peer-reviewed literature and data submitted under TSCA and to the IRIS desk. A toxicological review document is prepared which characterizes the key health hazards and develops, as appropriate, cancer and non-cancer health hazard characterizations.

History/Chronology

Additional Information

The External Review Draft of the Toxicological Review of Chloroethane (CAS No. 75-00-3) is being provided here for public information during an external scientific peer review period. While EPA is not soliciting public comments by this action, any correspondence or comments received prior to October 8, 1999, will be considered in revising this document. The External Review Draft of the Toxicological Review of Chloroethane (CAS No. 75-00-3) is being provided here for public information during an external scientific peer review period. While EPA is not soliciting public comments by this action, any correspondence or comments received prior to October 8, 1999, will be considered in revising this document. Comments may be E-mailed to the contact person.

Download(s)

This download(s) is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. It has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency determination or policy.

  • Toxicological Review of Chloroethane (External Review Draft) (PDF)  (84  pp, 365.2 KB, about PDF)

Related Link(s)

  • IRIS Toxicological Review and Summary Documents for Chloroethane (Peer Review Plan)
  • Risk Assessment Home
  • About Risk Assessment
  • Risk Recent Additions
  • Human Health Risk Assessment
  • Ecological Risk Assessment
  • Risk Advanced Search
    • Risk Publications
  • Risk Assessment Guidance
  • Risk Tools and Databases
  • Superfund Risk Assessment
  • Where you live
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on December 05, 2011
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshots
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Open Government
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions

Follow.