Adverse Effects
Dichlorotetrafluoroethane (Cryofluorane)
CAS No. 76-14-2
 
 

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Activity: Propellant, Former EPA List 2 Inert
Structure:

Adverse Effects:
Brain
Carcinogen
CNS
Heart
Lung
Environmental

Has not been manufactured in the US since 1995.

Manufacturing/Use Information: Major Uses:

-- For 1,2-Dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 326200). Not registered for current use in the U.S. as of review of database on Sept 8, 2000.

-- Fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) such as 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane were scheduled for production phase-out in 1987 by the Montreal Protocol. Although originally scheduled for 50% production phase-out by the year 2000 in developed countries, the worsening ozone depletion has forced acceleration of the CFC phase-out.

-- Blowing agent for cellular polymers.

-- Solvent and diluent in polymerization of fluoro-olefins, cleaning and degreasing printed circuit boards, preparation of explosives and extraction of volatile substances.

-- Foaming agent in fire extinguishing and aerosols ...

-- Inorganic synthesis in preparation of uranium tetrafluoride, Freons, and polymer intermediates.

-- In aerosols with other Freons to lower vapor pressure and produce non-flammable aerosol propellants ...

-- Refrigerant in industrial cooling and air conditioning systems.

-- Used/ in inhibiting of metal erosion in hydraulic fluids; in strengthening glass bottles; in magnesium refining; and as a reflux liquid to assist heat removal.

Ref: 1,2-DICHLORO-1,1,2,2-TETRAFLUOROETHANE. CASRN: 76-14-2. TOXNET profile from Hazardous Substances Data Base. http://www.fluorideaction.org/pesticides/dichlorotetrafluoroe.toxnet.htm


Brain (click on for all fluorinated pesticides)

-- NEUROLOGIC 0.2.7.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE -Headache, dizziness, and disorientation are common. Cerebral edema may be found on autopsy. A syndrome of impaired psychomotor speed, impaired memory and learning, and emotional lability has been described in workers with chronic occupational exposure to fluorinated hydrocarbons.
-- THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATION OF FLUOROCARBONS IN BRAIN, LIVER & LUNG COMPARED TO BLOOD LEVELS, SIGNIFYING A TISSUE DISTRIBUTION OF FLUOROCARBONS SIMILAR TO THAT OF CHLOROFORM. /FLUOROCARBONS/ [Clayton, G.D., F.E. Clayton (eds.) Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Volumes 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F: Toxicology. 4th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1993-1994. 1203]
-- Aerosol sprays containing fluorocarbon propellants are another source of solvent intoxication. Prolonged exposure or daily use may result in damage to several organ systems. Clinical problems include cardiac arrhythmias, bone marrow depression, cerebral degeneration, and damage to liver, kidney, & peripheral nerves. Death occasionally has been attributed to inhalant abuse, probably via the mechanism of cardiac arrhythmias, especially accompanying exercise or upper airway obstruction. /fluorocarbon propellants/ [Hardman, J.G., L.E. Limbird, P.B. Molinoff, R.W. Ruddon, A.G. Goodman (eds.). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 9th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1996. 575]
Ref: 1,2-DICHLORO-1,1,2,2-TETRAFLUOROETHANE. CASRN: 76-14-2. TOXNET profile from Hazardous Substances Data Base.
http://www.fluorideaction.org/pesticides/dichlorotetrafluoroe.toxnet.htm

Carcinogen (click on for all fluorinated pesticides)

PAN Bad Actor: Carcinogen.
Ref: Pesticide Action Network

http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC35610

/UV-B Radiation is likely to incr by ozone depletion caused by atmospheric concentrations of chlorofluorocarbons/. Indications are increasing that UV-B radiation ... plays a role in the induction and growth of cutaneous melanomas, a ... dangerous type of skin cancer. ... There are indications that ... suppression of the immune response by UV-B radiation may occur in humans. The antigen presenting Langerhans cells in the skin are damaged and allergic responses are depressed. ... There are indications that UV-B radiation increases cataract formation, an important cause of blindness especially in areas with limited medical facilities. /Chlorofluorocarbons/
[WHO; Environmental Health Criteria 113: Fully Halogenated Chlorofluorocarbons p.101 (1990)]
Ref: 1,2-DICHLORO-1,1,2,2-TETRAFLUOROETHANE. CASRN: 76-14-2. TOXNET profile from Hazardous Substances Data Base.
http://www.fluorideaction.org/pesticides/dichlorotetrafluoroe.toxnet.htm

CNS (click on for all fluorinated pesticides)

-- SUMMARY TOXICITY STATEMENT: MILD IRRITANT ... /CNS DEPRESSANT/ IN HIGH CONCN. ASPHYXIANT. [Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 5th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Rheinhold, 1979. 567]
-- Chlorinated hydrocarbons may cause systemic toxicity through percutaneous absorption. Systemic toxicity includes convulsion, delirium, and central nervous system depression /From table/. /Chlorinated hydrocarbons/ [Zenz, C. Occupational Medicine-Principles and Practical Applications. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Yearbook, Inc, 1988. 160]
Ref: 1,2-DICHLORO-1,1,2,2-TETRAFLUOROETHANE. CASRN: 76-14-2. TOXNET profile from Hazardous Substances Data Base.
http://www.fluorideaction.org/pesticides/dichlorotetrafluoroe.toxnet.htm

Heart (click on for all fluorinated pesticides)

-- The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has assigned dichlorotetrafluoroethane a threshold limit value (TLV) of 1000 ppm (6990 mg/m(3)) as a TWA for a normal 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek [ACGIH 1994, p. 19].
-- Rationale for Limits: The NIOSH limit is based on the risk of respiratory irritation, asphyxia at high concentrations [NIOSH 1992]. The ACGIH limit is based on the risk of systemic toxicity and cardiac sensitization [ACGIH 1991, p. 444].
-- Effects on Animals: dichlorotetrafluoroethane is a cardiac sensitizer, an asphyxiant, and a weak narcotic at extremely high concentrations [ACGIH 1991]. Dogs exposed to 200,000 ppm of dichlorotetrafluoroethane for 16 hours died, but exposures at this level for 8 hours caused tremor and convulsions [Hathaway et al. 1991]. Serious arrhythmia occurred in one of 12 dogs exposed once to 25,000 ppm of dichlorotetrafluoroethane and given intravenous epinephrine. Dichlorotetrafluoroethane is reported to reduce pulmonary compliance and act as a bronchoconstrictor [ACGIH 1991]. Guinea pigs exposed to a dichlorotetrafluoroethane concentration of 47,000 ppm developed respiratory irritation [Hathaway et al. 1991]. Repeated exposure to sprayed dichlorotetrafluoroethane caused localized skin inflammation in rats and irritation of the eyes of rabbits [ACGIH 1991].
Ref: US OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor).
http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/dichlorotetrafluoroethane/recognition.html

-- In persons with impaired pulmonary function, especially those with obstructive airway diseases, the breathing of Refrigerant 114 might cause exacerbation of symptoms due to its irritant properties. ... In persons with impaired cardiovascular function, especially those with history of cardiac arrhythmias, the inhalation of Refrigerant 114 might cause exacerbation of disorders of the conduction mechanism due to sensitizing effects on the myocardium. [Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 1]
-- In one study, ten subjects were exposed to CFC-11, CFC-12, and CFC-114; two mixtures of CFC-11 and CFC-12; & a mixture of CFC-12 and CFC-114 )breathing concn between 16 & 150 g/cu m [2300 & 21,400 ppm]) for 15, 45, or 60 sec. Significant acute reduction of ventilatory lung capacity was reported in each case, as well as bradycardia & increased variability in heart rate & atrioventricular block. It was concluded that the mixtures exerted stronger respiratory effects than individual chlorofluorocarbons at the same level of exposure. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I,II, III. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1991. 444]
--
10 PERSONS WERE EXPOSED TO FREON 114 FOR LENGTHS OF 15, 45, OR 60 SEC. IT INDUCED BIPHASIC REDN OF VENTILATORY CAPACITY. MOST PERSONS DEVELOPED VARIATIONS IN HEART RATE EXCEEDING THOSE NOTED BEFORE EXPOSURE. IN A FEW THERE WERE INVERSION OF T-WAVE & 1 CASE OF HEART BLOCK. [VALIC ET AL; BR J IND MED 34 (2): 130-6 (1977)]
-- Fluorocarbon propellants are anesthetic and cardiotoxic. ... Aerosol propellants produce hallucinogenic effects, and, rarely, contact dermatitis. /Fluorocarbon propellants/ [Ellenhorn, M.J. and D.G. Barceloux. Medical Toxicology - Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. New York, NY: Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc. 1988. 528]
-- Clinical pathologists exposed to fluorocarbons in the preparation of frozen tissue sections have been seen to develop coronary heart disease. /Fluorocarbons/ [Clayton, G.D., F.E. Clayton (eds.) Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Volumes 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F: Toxicology. 4th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1993-1994. 1209]
Ref: 1,2-DICHLORO-1,1,2,2-TETRAFLUOROETHANE. CASRN: 76-14-2. TOXNET profile from Hazardous Substances Data Base.

http://www.fluorideaction.org/pesticides/dichlorotetrafluoroe.toxnet.htm

Lung (click on for all fluorinated pesticides)

-- The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has assigned dichlorotetrafluoroethane a threshold limit value (TLV) of 1000 ppm (6990 mg/m(3)) as a TWA for a normal 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek [ACGIH 1994, p. 19].
-- Rationale for Limits: The NIOSH limit is based on the risk of respiratory irritation, asphyxia at high concentrations [NIOSH 1992]. The ACGIH limit is based on the risk of systemic toxicity and cardiac sensitization [ACGIH 1991, p. 444].
-- Effects on Animals: dichlorotetrafluoroethane is a cardiac sensitizer, an asphyxiant, and a weak narcotic at extremely high concentrations [ACGIH 1991]. Dogs exposed to 200,000 ppm of dichlorotetrafluoroethane for 16 hours died, but exposures at this level for 8 hours caused tremor and convulsions [Hathaway et al. 1991]. Serious arrhythmia occurred in one of 12 dogs exposed once to 25,000 ppm of dichlorotetrafluoroethane and given intravenous epinephrine. Dichlorotetrafluoroethane is reported to reduce pulmonary compliance and act as a bronchoconstrictor [ACGIH 1991]. Guinea pigs exposed to a dichlorotetrafluoroethane concentration of 47,000 ppm developed respiratory irritation [Hathaway et al. 1991].
Ref: US OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor).
http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/dichlorotetrafluoroethane/recognition.html

Environmental (click on for all fluorinated pesticides)

US EPA: Class II Ozone-Depleting Substance. All the class II substances and their isomers are regulated under the accelerated phaseout.
Ref: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/ods2.html

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons are known to release chlorine radicals into the stratosphere. Chlorine radicals act as catalysts to reduce the net amount of stratospheric ozone.Stratospheric ozone shields the earth from ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation (i.e., 290 to 320 nanometers). Decreases in total column ozone will increase the percentage of UV-B radiation, especially at its most harmful wavelengths, reaching the earth's surface...Exposure to UV-B radiation has been implicated by laboratory and epidemiologic studies as a cause of two types of nonmelanoma skin cancers: squamous cell cancer and basal cell cancer. Studies predict that for every 1 percent increase in UV-B radiation, nonmelanoma skin cancer cases would increase by about 1 to 3 percent... Because this increased UV-B radiation can be reasonably anticipated to lead to cancer and other chronic human health effects and significant adverse environmental effects, EPA believes there is sufficient evidence for listing the following HCFCs [Dichlorofluoromethane was included] that are commercially viable on EPCRA section 313 pursuant to EPCRA sections 313(d)(2)(B) and (C). EPA is proposing that the following HCFCs be added individually to EPCRA section 313:
Ref: USEPA/OPPT. Support Document for the Health and Ecological Toxicity Review of TRI Expansion Chemicals. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (1993). As cited by US EPA in: Federal Register: January 12, 1994. Part IV. 40 CFR Part 372. Addition of Certain Chemicals; Toxic Chemical Release Reporting; Community Right-to-Know; Proposed Rule.

 
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