Vinylidene chloride

Synonyms & Trade Names

1,1-DCE, 1,1-Dichloroethene, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, VDC, Vinylidene chloride monomer, Vinylidene dichloride

Physical Description

Colorless liquid or gas (above 89°F) with a mild, sweet, chloroform-like odor.

Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Aluminum, sunlight, air, copper, heat [Note: Polymerization may occur if exposed to oxidizers, chlorosulfonic acid, nitric acid, or oleum. Inhibitors such as the monomethyl ether of hydroquinone are added to prevent polymerization.]

Symptoms

irritation eyes, skin, throat; dizziness, headache, nausea, dyspnea (breathing difficulty); liver, kidney disturbance; pneumonitis; [potential occupational carcinogen]

Cancer Site

[in animals: liver & kidney tumors]

Respirator Recommendations

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 organic vapor canister
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection