Vinyl chloride

Synonyms & Trade Names

Chloroethene, Chloroethylene, Ethylene monochloride, Monochloroethene, Monochloroethylene, VC, VCM, Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)

Physical Description

Colorless gas or liquid (below 7°F) with a pleasant odor at high concentrations. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.]

Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Copper, oxidizers, aluminum, peroxides, iron, steel [Note: Polymerizes in air, sunlight, or heat unless stabilized by inhibitors such as phenol. Attacks iron & steel in presence of moisture.]

Symptoms

lassitude (weakness, exhaustion); abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding; enlarged liver; pallor or cyanosis of extremities; liquid: frostbite; [potential occupational carcinogen]

Cancer Site

[liver cancer]

Respirator Recommendations

(See Appendix E)

NIOSH

At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection