Trade name of the product: epichlorhydrin (ECH)

Chemical name of the compound: 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropan

Synonyms: (chloromethyl)ethylene oxide; (chloromethyl)ethyleneoxide; (chloromethyl)-oxiran; (DL)-alpha-epichlorohydrin; (R,S)-2-chloromethyl-oxirane; (RS)-epichlorhydrin; 1,2-epoxy-3-chloropropane; 1,2-epoxypropane

Chemical and physical properties: A colorless liquid moderately soluble in water, well soluble in most organic solvents, with an irritating odor similar to chloroform. It is also an extremely explosive agent.

Application of the substance: Epichlorhydrin is used in the industry to produce synthetic glycerol, elastomers, plastifiers, ethers and glycidol esters, water-resistant resins used in the paper industry and epoxy resins. It is also used in the textile industry to modify wool, to dye fabrics based on polyolefines, polyacrylnitril, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, and also to produce antistatic fabrics. It is also used in the textile industry to produce waterproof paper. The substance is also used to produce surfactants, insecticides, bacteriocides, fungicides, pharmaceuticals, corrosion inhibitors, lubricant additives, compounds used in the electroplating of zinc, polymers ensuring the insulation of electric wires, ignition retarders and urethane-based compounds.

Health safety: Epichlorhydrin vapors can cause such symptoms as: redness of the conjunctiva, eye pain and lacrimation, cough, difficult breathing (dispnea), swelling and pain of the epipharynx, bronchial symptoms, nausea, vomiting. The contamination of the skin with liquid Epichlorhydrin can cause pain, redness, bullous or rash eruption. Spilling on the skin can cause symptoms similar to the inhalation poisoning. If absorbed by the alimentary tract it can cause the burning of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and the alimentary tract, diarrhea, bellyache, nausea, vomiting, bleeding from the alimentary tract. As a result, the kidneys can be damaged. The chronic poisoning symptom includes the spastic bronchitis or bronchial asthma, damage to the liver, allergic dermatitis at the contact point. In the longer perspective, the substance activity can contribute to cancer at the contact points.