CHLOROMETHYL METHYL
Common Name:
ETHER
CAS Number: 107-30-2 RTK Substance number: 0391
DOT Number: UN 1239 Date: January 1993 Revision: December 1999
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
* Chloromethyl Methyl Ether can affect you when
evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area
breathed in and may be absorbed through the skin.
air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results
* Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is a CARCINOGEN--
from your employer. You have a legal right to this
HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION.
information under OSHA 1910.1020.
* Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is a CORROSIVE chemical
* If you think you are experiencing any work-related health
and contact can cause severe skin and eye irritation and
problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
burns leading to permanent damage.
diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
* Breathing Chloromethyl Methyl Ether can irritate the
nose and throat.
* Breathing Chloromethyl Methyl Ether can irritate the WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
lungs causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher OSHA: No exposure limits have been established by
exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs OSHA for Chloromethyl Methyl Ether. Refer
(pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe to the full OSHA Standard: 1910.1006.
shortness of breath.
* Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is a FLAMMABLE and NIOSH: Recommends that exposure to occupational
REACTIVE chemical and a FIRE and EXPLOSION carcinogens be limited to the lowest feasible
HAZARD. concentration.
IDENTIFICATION ACGIH: Recommends eliminating, to the fullest extent
Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is a colorless liquid with an possible, all exposure to this carcinogen.
irritating odor. It is used in making plastics and other
chemicals, to treat textiles, and in the production of ion * Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is a CARCINOGEN in
exchange resins. humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a
carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest
REASON FOR CITATION possible level.
* Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is on the Hazardous * As Chloromethyl Methyl Ether may be absorbed through
Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited your skin, contact should be eliminated.
by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, NTP, DEP, IARC, HHAG,
NFPA and EPA. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
* This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance * Enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the
List because it is a CARCINOGEN, CORROSIVE, site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or
FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE. enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn.
* Definitions are provided on page 5. * A regulated, marked area should be established where
Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is handled, used, or stored as
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING required in the OSHA Standard: 1910.1006.
EXPOSED * Wear protective work clothing.
The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to
to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public Chloromethyl Methyl Ether and at the end of the
employers to provide their employees with information and workshift.
training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200, addition, as part of an ongoing education and training
requires private employers to provide similar training and effort, communicate all information on the health and
information to their employees. safety hazards of Chloromethyl Methyl Ether to
potentially exposed workers.
CHLOROMETHYL METHYL ETHER page 2 of 6
This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the
potential and most severe health hazards that may result from following is recommended:
exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the
substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to * Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure.
any of the potential effects described below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and
present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION damage already done are not a substitute for controlling
exposure.
Acute Health Effects
Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
to this information under OSHA 1910.1020.
immediately or shortly after exposure to Chloromethyl
Methyl Ether:
Mixed Exposures
* Contact can cause severe skin and eye irritation and burns * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung
leading to permanent damage. cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may
* Breathing Chloromethyl Methyl Ether can irritate the worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical
nose and throat. exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time,
* Breathing Chloromethyl Methyl Ether can irritate the stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health
lungs, causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher problems.
exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs
(pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
shortness of breath.
Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
Chronic Health Effects substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most
effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at
enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at
some time after exposure to Chloromethyl Methyl Ether and
the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also
can last for months or years:
reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is
Cancer Hazard less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is
sometimes necessary.
* Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is a CARCINOGEN in
humans. It has been shown to cause lung cancer.
In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider:
* Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to
(1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the
a carcinogen. Such substances may also have the potential
substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether
for causing reproductive damage in humans.
harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls
Reproductive Hazard should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when
significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible.
* According to the information presently available to the
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services,
In addition, the following controls are recommended:
Chloromethyl Methyl Ether has not been tested for its
ability to affect reproduction.
* Automatically pump liquid Chloromethyl Methyl Ether
from drums or other storage containers to process
Other Long-Term Effects
containers.
* Chloromethyl Methyl Ether can irritate the lungs.
* Specific engineering controls are required for this chemical
Repeated exposures may cause bronchitis to develop with
by OSHA. Refer to the OSHA Standard: 1910.1006.
cough, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath.
* Before entering a confined space where Chloromethyl
Methyl Ether may be present, check to make sure that an
MEDICAL
explosive concentration does not exist.
Medical Testing Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous
Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, exposures. The following work practices are recommended:
the following are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by
* Lung function tests. Chloromethyl Methyl Ether should change into clean
clothing promptly.
* Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family
members could be exposed.
CHLOROMETHYL METHYL ETHER page 3 of 6
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by * At any exposure level, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved
individuals who have been informed of the hazards of supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in a
pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. For
exposure to Chloromethyl Methyl Ether.
increased protection use in combination with an auxiliary
* Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate
self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a pressure-
work area for emergency use.
demand or other positive-pressure mode.
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency
shower facilities should be provided.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
* On skin contact with Chloromethyl Methyl Ether,
immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At
the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that * Prior to working with Chloromethyl Methyl Ether you
should be trained on its proper handling and storage.
may have contacted Chloromethyl Methyl Ether, whether
* A regulated, marked area should be established where
or not known skin contact has occurred.
Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is handled, used, or stored as
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Chloromethyl Methyl
required by the OSHA Standard: 1910.1006.
Ether is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical
* Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is not compatible with
can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating,
PEROXIDES.
drinking, smoking, or using the toilet.
* Chloromethyl Methyl Ether reacts with WATER and
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT MOISTURE to form poisonous Hydrogen Chloride gas.
* Shock sensitive Peroxides and explosive mixtures may be
formed with AIR.
WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for
ventilated area away from HEAT, SPARKS, and OPEN
some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs
FLAMES or keep refrigerated.
done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace
* Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is corrosive to METALS.
controls are being installed), personal protective equipment
* Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are
may be appropriate.
prohibited where Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is used,
handled, or stored.
OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the
appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and * Metal containers involving the transfer of Chloromethyl
to train employees on how and when to use protective Methyl Ether should be grounded and bonded.
equipment. * Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially
when opening and closing containers of Chloromethyl
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may Methyl Ether.
not apply to every situation.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Clothing
Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic
* Avoid skin contact with Chloromethyl Methyl Ether.
health effects?
Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment
A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from
suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on
repeated exposures to a chemical.
the most protective glove/clothing material for your
operation.
Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short-
* All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
term effects?
should be clean, available each day, and put on before
A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated
work.
exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to
make you immediately sick.
Eye Protection
* Eye protection is included in the recommended respiratory
Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been
protection.
exposed to chemicals?
A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is
Respiratory Protection
increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is
IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS.
determined by the length of time and the amount of
Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a
material to which someone is exposed.
written program that takes into account workplace conditions,
requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and
medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134.
CHLOROMETHYL METHYL ETHER page 4 of 6
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Q: When are higher exposures more likely?
The following information is available from:
A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include
physical and mechanical processes (heating, pouring,
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
spraying, spills and evaporation from large surface areas
Occupational Health Service
such as open containers), and "confined space" exposures
PO Box 360
(working inside vats, reactors, boilers, small rooms, etc.).
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360
(609) 984-1863
Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for
(609) 292-5677 (fax)
community residents?
A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in
Web address: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/odisweb/
cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those
found in the workplace. However, people in the
Industrial Hygiene Information
community may be exposed to contaminated water as
Industrial hygienists are available to answer your questions
well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This
regarding the control of chemical exposures using exhaust
may be a problem for children or people who are already
ventilation, special work practices, good housekeeping, good
ill.
hygiene practices, and personal protective equipment including
respirators. In addition, they can help to interpret the results of
Q: Don't all chemicals cause cancer?
industrial hygiene survey data.
A: No. Most chemicals tested by scientists are not cancer-
causing.
Medical Evaluation
If you think you are becoming sick because of exposure to
Q: Should I be concerned if a chemical causes cancer in
chemicals at your workplace, you may call personnel at the
animals?
Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational
A: Yes. Most scientists agree that a chemical that causes
Health Service, who can help you find the information you
cancer in animals should be treated as a suspected human
need.
carcinogen unless proven otherwise.
Public Presentations
Q: But don't they test animals using much higher levels of a
Presentations and educational programs on occupational health
chemical than people usually are exposed to?
or the Right to Know Act can be organized for labor unions,
A: Yes. That's so effects can be seen more clearly using
trade associations and other groups.
fewer animals. But high doses alone don't cause cancer
unless it's a cancer agent. In fact, a chemical that causes
Right to Know Information Resources
cancer in animals at high doses could cause cancer in
The Right to Know Infoline (609) 984-2202 can answer
humans exposed to low doses.
questions about the identity and potential health effects of
chemicals, list of educational materials in occupational health,
references used to prepare the Fact Sheets, preparation of the
Right to Know survey, education and training programs,
labeling requirements, and general information regarding the
Right to Know Act. Violations of the law should be reported
to (609) 984-2202.
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CHLOROMETHYL METHYL ETHER page 5 of 6
DEFINITIONS
A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation
ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental
is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations
Industrial Hygienists. It recommends upper limits (called
can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.
TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals.
NAERG is the North American Emergency Response
A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer.
Guidebook. It was jointly developed by Transport Canada, the
United States Department of Transportation and the Secretariat
The CAS number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts
of Communications and Transportation of Mexico. It is a
Service to identify a specific chemical.
guide for first responders to quickly identify the specific or
generic hazards of material involved in a transportation
A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will
incident, and to protect themselves and the general public
burn.
during the initial response phase of the incident.
A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes
NCI is the National Cancer Institute, a federal agency that
irreversible damage to human tissue or containers.
determines the cancer-causing potential of chemicals.
DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental
NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies
Protection.
substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.
DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
that regulates the transportation of chemicals.
Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators,
conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes standards
EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal
to OSHA.
agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards.
NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests
A fetus is an unborn human or animal.
chemicals and reviews evidence for cancer.
A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will
OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
ignite easily and burn rapidly.
which adopts and enforces health and safety standards.
The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid
PEOSHA is the Public Employees Occupational Safety and
gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air.
Health Act, a state law which sets PELs for New Jersey public
employees.
HHAG is the Human Health Assessment Group of the federal
EPA.
ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a
measure of concentration by volume in air.
IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a
scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their
A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases
cancer-causing potential.
energy under certain conditions.
A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly
A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by
dissolve in another.
damaging the fetus.
mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air.
TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure
It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).
limit recommended by ACGIH.
MSHA is the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the
The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a
federal agency that regulates mining. It also evaluates and
solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure
approves respirators.
indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and
therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in.
page 6 of 6
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> E M E R G E N C Y I N F O R M A T I O N <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
==============================================
CHLOROMETHYL METHYL
Common Name:
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire
ETHER
department. You can request emergency information from the
DOT Number: UN 1239
following:
NAERG Code: 131
CAS Number: 107-30-2
CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300
NJDEP HOTLINE: (609) 292-7172
Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA ==============================================
- 3
FLAMMABILITY
HANDLING AND STORAGE (See page 3)
- 2
REACTIVITY
FLAMMABLE AND REACTIVE FIRST AID
CARCINOGEN
CORROSIVE In NJ, for POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-764-7661
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE
Eye Contact
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15
3=serious; 4=severe minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately.
FIRE HAZARDS
Skin Contact
* Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID.
* Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash
* Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam extinguishers.
area with large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE,
attention immediately.
including Hydrogen Chloride.
* CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
Breathing
* Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
* Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. * Remove the person from exposure.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped.
* Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after
breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be
delayed.
If Chloromethyl Methyl Ether is spilled or leaked, take the
following steps:
PHYSICAL DATA
* Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from
area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete.
Vapor Pressure: 260 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
* Remove all ignition sources.
Flash Point: 60oF (15oC)
* Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar
Water Solubility: Decomposes
material and deposit in sealed containers.
* Ventilate area of spill or leak after clean-up is complete.
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
* Keep Chloromethyl Methyl Ether out of a confined space,
such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion,
Chemical Name:
unless the sewer is designed to prevent the build-up of
explosive concentrations. Methane, Chloromethoxy-
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Chloromethyl Other Names:
Methyl Ether as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your Methyl Chloromethyl Ether; Chlorodimethyl Ether; CMME
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
regional office of the federal Environmental Protection
Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial
Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations.
purposes.
* If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be
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properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
applicable.
SENIOR SERVICES
Right to Know Program
PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
(609) 984-2202
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