Toxicity Profiles

RAGs A Format for 1,2-Dichloroethane - CAS Number 107062

1,2-Dichloroethane is a manufactured chemical that is not found naturally in the environment. It is clear and has a pleasant smell and a sweet taste. Its most common use today is to make vinyl chloride and other chemicals and to dissolve grease, glue, and dirt. It is also added to gasoline as a lead-scavenging agent. In the past, 1,2-dichloroethane was used in home products such as cleaning solutions and paint removers.

1,2-Dichloroethane is absorbed through the lungs, gastrointestinal system, and skin. Breathing high levels (75-125 ppm) of 1,2-dichloroethane results in many harmful effects to humans. It causes damage to the heart, central nervous system, liver, kidneys, and lungs. These same effects have been seen with accidental ingested high levels of the chemical. The effects for humans of breathing or ingesting lower levels of 1,2-dichloroethane over a longer period of time are not known at this time. Studies in animals have found similar nervous system damage and kidney disease from breathing and ingesting the chemical. Other effects in animals include a reduced ability to fight infection. These effects have not been adequately studied in humans. Animal studies show that direct contact with 1,2-dichloroethane can cause damage to the skin and eyes.

The Department of Health and Human Services has determined that 1,2-dichloroethane may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen. Human studies are inconclusive. Several studies have not shown an increase in tumors in workers exposed to 1,2-dichloroethane. One study found an increase in colon and rectal cancer in humans who drank contaminated water, but other chemicals were also present in the water. There is good evidence from animal studies that ingesting large amounts of 1,2-dichloroethane causes an increase in a variety of tumors. In some animal studies, it caused cancer when breathed or absorbed through the skin. 1,2-Dichloroethane is classified by EPA in Group B2 as a probable human carcinogen by both the oral and inhalation exposure routes based on animal studies.

The following is a presentation of the toxicity information associated with 1,2-Dichloroethane.

Carcinogenic Health Effects
  • The Oral Slope Factor is 9.10E-02 (mg/kg-day)-1.
  • The Oral Slope Factor study cancer type is hemangiosarcomas.
  • The Oral Slope Factor is based on the NCI study from 1978.

  • The Inhalation Unit Risk is 2.6E-02 (mg/m3)-1.
  • The Inhalation Unit Risk study cancer type is hemangiosarcomas.
  • The Inhalation Unit Risk is based on the NCI study from 1978.

  • The Dermal Slope Factor is 9.10E-02 (mg/kg-day)-1.
  • The Dermal Slope Factor is based on a gastrointestinal absorption factor of 1.0000.

Noncarcinogenic Health Effects

  • The Oral Chronic Reference Dose is 2.00E-02 (mg/kg-day).
  • The Oral Chronic Reference Dose has a modifying factor of 1.
  • The Oral Chronic Reference Dose has an uncertainty factor of 3000.
  • The Oral Chronic Reference Dose is based on the NTP rat study from 1991.
  • The Oral Chronic Reference Dose study target organ is the kidney.
  • The Oral Chronic Reference Dose study critical effect is increased kidney weight.
  • The Dermal Chronic Reference Dose is 2.0E-02 (mg/kg-day)-1.
  • The Dermal Chronic Reference Dose is based on a gastrointestinal absorption factor of 1.0000.