Methane, chloro-
RTECS #
PA6300000
CAS #
Updated
October 2015
Molecular Weight
50.49
Molecular Formula
CH3Cl
Synonyms
Artic
Chloor-methaan (Dutch)
Chlor-methan (German)
Chloromethane
Chlorure de methyle (French)
Clorometano (Italian)
Cloruro di metile (Italian)
Methyl chloride
Methyl chloride (ACGIH:OSHA)
Methylchlorid (German)
Metylu chlorek (Polish)
Monochloromethane
R 40
RCRA waste number U045
Chloor-methaan (Dutch)
Chlor-methan (German)
Chloromethane
Chlorure de methyle (French)
Clorometano (Italian)
Cloruro di metile (Italian)
Methyl chloride
Methyl chloride (ACGIH:OSHA)
Methylchlorid (German)
Metylu chlorek (Polish)
Monochloromethane
R 40
RCRA waste number U045
Mutation Data and Reference
| System Test | Route/Organism/Tissue | Dose | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cytogenetic Analysis | lung/hamster | 4 pph/6H (-enzymatic activation step) | MUREAV 652,122,2008 |
| Cytogenetic Analysis | lung/hamster | 6 pph/6H (+enzymatic activation step) | MUREAV 652,122,2008 |
| Cytogenetic Analysis | lung/hamster | 2 pph/48H (-enzymatic activation step) | MUREAV 652,122,2008 |
| Cytogenetic Analysis | lung/hamster | 3 pph/24H (-enzymatic activation step) | MUREAV 652,122,2008 |
| Dominant Lethal Test | inhalation/rat | 3000 ppm/6H/5D-continuous | TXAPA9 77,133,1985 |
| morphological transform | embryo/hamster | 6 mL | EVSRBT 25,75,1982 |
| mutation in mammalian somatic cells | lymphocyte/human | 5 pph | MUREAV 155,75,1985 |
| mutation in microorganisms | /Salmonella typhimurium | 25000 ppm (+/-enzymatic activation step) | DHEFDK FDA-78-1046,1978 |
| other mutation test systems | lymphocyte/human | 3 pph | MUREAV 155,75,1985 |
| phage inhibition capacity | /Escherichia coli | 5 pph | MUREAV 263,107,1991 |
| sister chromatid exchange | lymphocyte/human | 3 pph | MUREAV 155,75,1985 |
| Unscheduled DNA Synthesis | sperm/rat | 30 ppm/3H-continuous | ENMUDM 6,392,1984 |
| Unscheduled DNA Synthesis | liver/rat | 1 pph | MUREAV 162,219,1986 |
Reproductive Effects Data and References
| Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| inhalation/rat | 2000 ppm/6H (5D male) | Reproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count) | JACTDZ 4(1),224,1985 |
| inhalation/rat | 1500 ppm/6H (50D male) | Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct | EPASR* 8EHQ-1182-0464 |
| inhalation/rat | 1500 ppm/6H (7-19D pregnant) | Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system | TJADAB 27,181,1983 |
| inhalation/rat | 3000 ppm/6H (5D male) | Reproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count) Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants) | TOXID9 4,82,1984 |
| inhalation/rat | 3000 ppm/6H (5D male) | Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Male fertility index (e.g., # males impregnating females per # males exposed to fertile nonpregnant females) | TXAPA9 86,124,1986 |
| inhalation/rat | 1500 ppm/6H (7-20D pregnant) | Reproductive: Other effects on female Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus) | NTIS** OTS0535810 |
| inhalation/mouse | 500 ppm/6H (6-17D pregnant) | Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Cardiovascular (circulatory) system | TJADAB 27,197,1983 |
| inhalation/mouse | 750 ppm/6H (6-17D pregnant) | Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetal death | TJADAB 27,197,1983 |
| inhalation/mouse | 500 ppm/6H (6-18D pregnant) | Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Cardiovascular (circulatory) system | NTIS** OTS0540987 |
| inhalation/mouse | 500 ppm/6H (6-18D pregnant) | Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Cardiovascular (circulatory) system | NTIS** OTS0535810 |
Tumorigenic Data and References
| Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| inhalation/mouse | lowest published toxic concentration: 997 ppm/6H/2Y- intermittent | Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Kidney tumors | NTIS** OTS0540987 |
| inhalation/mouse | toxic concentration: 1000 ppm/6H/2Y- intermittent | Tumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Bladder tumors | NTIS** OTS0545215 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 997 ppm/6H/2Y- intermittent | Tumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria Reproductive: Tumorigenic effects: Testicular tumors | NTIS** OTS0540987 |
Acute Toxicity Data and References
| Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| inhalation/cat | Lowest published lethal concentration: 129 mg/m3/4H | Behavioral: General anesthetic Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression | AHBAAM 116,131,1936 |
| inhalation/Dog | Lowest published lethal concentration: 14661 ppm/6H | Vascular: BP lowering not characterized in autonomic section Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Body temperature increase | NIHBAZ 191,1,1949 |
| inhalation/guinea pig | Lowest published lethal concentration: 20000 ppm/2H | FLCRAP 1,197,1967 | |
| inhalation/human | Lowest published lethal concentration: 20000 ppm/2H | Eye: Other eye effects Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting | 34ZIAG -,386,1969 |
| inhalation/mouse | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 2200 ppm/6H | TXAPA9 86,93,1986 | |
| inhalation/rat | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 5300 mg/m3/4H | 85GMAT -,82,1982 | |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 3500 ppm/1H | Liver: Other changes Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct | TXAPA9 76,328,1984 |
| inhalation/rat | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 4900 mg/m3 | VCVGH* -,312,1990 | |
| inhalation/rat | lethal concentration (16 percent kill): 4400 mg/m3 | VCVGH* -,312,1990 | |
| inhalation/rat | lethal concentration (84 percent kill): 8000 mg/m3 | VCVGH* -,312,1990 | |
| oral/rat | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1800 mg/kg | 85JCAE -,86,1986 |
Other Multiple Dose Data and References
| Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| inhalation/Dog | lowest published toxic concentration: 500 ppm/24H/3D- continuous | Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes Behavioral: Tremor Behavioral: Ataxia | NTIS** OTS0534633 |
| inhalation/mouse | lowest published toxic concentration: 150 ppm/22H/11D- continuous | Behavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay) Endocrine: Changes in thymus weight Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field | FAATDF 5,87,1985 |
| inhalation/mouse | lowest published toxic concentration: 1473 ppm/6H/90D- intermittent | Liver: Liver function tests impaired Liver: Changes in liver weight Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other transferases | NTIS** OTS0540987 |
| inhalation/rabbit | lowest published toxic concentration: 240 mg/m3/61D- intermittent | Eye: Hemorrhage | TPKVAL 9,182,1967 |
| inhalation/rabbit | lowest published toxic concentration: 40 mg/m3/61D- intermittent | Eye: Optic nerve neuropathy Eye: Retinal changes pigmentary deposition, retinitis, other) Eye: Changes in circulation | TPKVAL 9,182,1967 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 3000 ppm/6H/5D- intermittent | Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain Related to Chronic Data: Changes in testicular weight | TXAPA9 77,144,1985 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 41 mg/m3/4H/26W- intermittent | Liver: Liver function tests impaired Blood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain | GTPZAB 10(10),20,1966 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 1473 ppm/6H/90D- intermittent | Liver: Other changes Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain | NTIS** OTS0540987 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 240 mg/m3/4H/24W- intermittent | Brain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNS Blood: Changes in other cell count (unspecified) | VCVGH* -,313,1990 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 1000 mg/m3/2H/24W- intermittent | Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other enzymes | VCVGH* -,313,1990 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 40 mg/m3/24W- continuous | Blood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain | VCVGH* -,313,1990 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 25 mg/m3/24W- continuous | Blood: Changes in leukocyte (WBC) count Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other esterases | VCVGH* -,313,1990 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 3500 ppm/6H/5D- continuous | Endocrine: Androgenic Reproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count) | TXAPA9 76,328,1984 |
Reviews
| Organization | Standard | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) | Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 50 ppm;short term exposure limit 100 ppm (skin) | DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013 |
| American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) | Threshold Limit Value-Not classifiable as a human carcinogen | DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013 |
| International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) | Cancer Review:Animal Inadequate Evidence | IMEMDT 41,161,1986 |
| International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) | Cancer Review:Animal Inadequate Evidence | IMEMDT 71,737,1999 |
| International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) | Cancer Review:Human Inadequate Evidence | IMEMDT 41,161,1986 |
| International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) | Cancer Review:Human Inadequate Evidence | IMEMDT 71,737,1999 |
| International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) | Cancer Review:Group 3 | IMEMDT 71,737,1999 |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | TOLED5 134,3,2002 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | MUREAV 567,347,2004 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | MUREAV 588,88,2005 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | DIMON* 39,678,1993 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | FCTOD7 47,1287,2009 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | NTAPM* -,617,1995 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | MUREAV 721,27,2011 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | MUREAV 763,294,2015 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | MUREAV 786-788,14,2015 |
Standards and Regulations
| Organization | Standard | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD | air-ceiling concentration 100 ppm (210 mg/m3) | DTLVS* 3,160,1971 |
| Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV; | ||
| Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV | ||
| Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypt | time-weighted average 50 ppm (105 mg/m3), JAN1993 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIA | time-weighted average 50 ppm (103 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 100 ppm (207 mg/m3), JUL2008 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIA | MAK-TMW 50 ppm (105 mg/m3);KZW 200 ppm (420 mg/m3), skin, 2007 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM | time-weighted average 50 ppm (104 mg/m3), MAR2002 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM | short term exposure limit 100 ppm (210 mg/m3), Skin, MAR2002 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK | time-weighted average 25 ppm (52 mg/m3), carc, MAY2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLAND | time-weighted average 50 ppm (100 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 75 ppm (160 mg/m3), NOV2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCE | VME 50 ppm (105 mg/m3), VLE 100 ppm (210 mg/m3), C3 Carcinogen, FEB2006 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANY | MAK 50 ppm (100 mg/m3), 2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARY | time-weighted average 105 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 420 mg/m3, SEP2000 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELAND | time-weighted average 50 ppm (100 mg/m3), NOV2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPAN | Occupational Exposure Limit 50 ppm (100 mg/m3), MAY2012 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA | time-weighted average 50 ppm (105 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 100 ppm (205 mg/m3), 2006 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICO | time-weighted average 50 ppm (105 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 100 ppm (205 mg/m3), 2004 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND | time-weighted average 50 ppm (103 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 100 ppm (207 mg/m3), skin, JAN2002 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAY | time-weighted average 25 ppm (50 mg/m3), JAN1999 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-PERU | time-weighted average 50 ppm (103 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 100 ppm (206 mg/m3), JUL2005 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-POLAND | MAC(time-weighted average) 20 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 160 mg/m3, JAN1999 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIA | time-weighted average 5 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 10 mg/m3, JUN2003 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDEN | time-weighted average 10 ppm (20 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 20 ppm (40 mg/m3), JUN2005 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLAND | MAK-week 50 ppm (105 mg/m3), KZG-week 100 ppm (210 mg/m3), carc 3, JAN2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILAND | time-weighted average 100 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 200 mg/m3, JAN1993 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDS | MAC-TGG 52 mg/m3, 2003 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINES | time-weighted average 100 ppm (210 mg/m3), JAN1993 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEY | time-weighted average 100 ppm (210 mg/m3), JAN1993 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM | time-weighted average 50 ppm (105 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 100 ppm (210 mg/m3), OCT2007 | |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction) | 8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (210 mg/m3) | CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors) | ceiling concentration 100 ppm (210 mg/m3) | CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry) | 8H time-weighted average 100 ppm;ceiling concentration 200;Pk 300/5M/3H | CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards) | 8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (210 mg/m3) | CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993 |
NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance
| Organization | Standard | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO METHYL CHLORIDE-air | Carcinogen lowest feasible concentration | NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992 |
| National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983 | Hazard Code M0421; Number of Industries 18; Total Number of Facilities 596; Number of Occupations 38; Total Number of Employees Exposed 10003; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 571 | |
| National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974 | Hazard Code M0421; Number of Industries 32; Total Number of Facilities 1937; Number of Occupations 29; Total Number of Employees Exposed 8804 |
Status in Federal Agencies
| Organization | Reference |
|---|---|
| ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/99/121964) | |
| EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: Histidine reversion-Ames test | |
| EPA TSCA 8(a) PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION, FINAL RULE | FEREAC 47,26992,82 |
| EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY | |
| EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies | |
| EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001 | |
| NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Methyl chloride, 1001 | |
| NIOSH CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 43, 1984 | |
| On EPA IRIS database |
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018
Content
source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health