Return to Dichlorotetrafluoroethane Index Page

Activity: Propellant, Former EPA List 2 Inert
Structure:

Adverse Effects:
Brain
Carcinogen
CNS
Heart
Lung
Environmental

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