Epichlorohydrin Profile

INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS  PROBABLE CARCINOGEN (IARC 2A)

CAS No. 106-89-8
IARC Supplement 7, 1987 (Group 2A)
IARC Monograph Vol. 71, 1999 (Group 2A)

Epichlorohydrin Profile

General Information

Epichlorohydrin is a colorless liquid with an irritating, pungent odour.[1,2] It does not occur naturally in the environment[3]; it is a chemical intermediate used to make a wide variety of products.[4] Epichlorohydrin may also be referred to as chloropropylene oxide or 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane.[5] There are numerous other synonyms and product names; see the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) for more information.[5]

Epichlorohydrin has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as Group 2A, probably carcinogenic to humans, with sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals.[6] Studies of mice and rats show increased digestive, respiratory, nasal cavity, and dermal cancers following exposure to epichlorohydrin.[6] One epidemiological study of exposed factory workers showed an excess of respiratory cancers; however there was concomitant exposure to another potentially carcinogenic substance.[1] Some epidemiological studies have shown possible excesses in lung and central nervous system cancers; however results were inconsistent and based on small study numbers.[6]

Additional health effects following short-term exposure to epichlorohydrin may include skin irritation and damage to the liver, kidneys, and/or central nervous system.[2] Long-term exposure may result in eye, skin, and stomach irritation, chromosome aberrations, adverse changes in blood, and cancer.[2]

Regulations and Guidelines

Occupational exposure limits (OEL) [7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21]

Canadian JurisdictionsOEL (ppm)
Canada Labour Code0.5 [sk]
AB, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE0.5 [sk]
BC0.1 [sk, rt]
NT, NU, SK0.5 [sk]
1.5 [stel]
QC2 [sk, em]
YT5 [sk]
10 [stel]
Other JurisdictionOEL (ppm)
ACGIH 2020 TLV0.5 [sk]
ppm = parts per million
sk = easily absorbed through the skin
stel = short term exposure limit (15 min. maximum)
rt = reproductive toxin
em = exposure must be reduced to the minimum
ACGIH = American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
TLV = threshold limit value

Canadian environmental guidelines

JurisdictionLimitYear
BC’s Contaminated Sites Regulation,
BC Reg 375/96
Sets vapour standards for the protection of human health:
Agricultural, urban park, residential use standard: 1 μg/m3
Commercial use standard: 3 μg/m3
Industrial use standard: 9 μg/m3
Parkade use standard: 8 μg/m3
(Vapours derived from soil, sediment, or water)
2017[22]
Government of Canada’s Indoor Air Reference Levels1 µg/m3 (critical effect: nasal lesions)2018[23]
Health Canada’s List of Permitted
Food Additives
Epichlorohydrin was removed from the List of Permitted Food Additives2016[24]
Cosmetic Ingredients HotlistNot Permitted2010[25]
μg/g = micrograms per gram
μg/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter

Canadian agencies/organizations

AgencyDesignation/PositionYear
Health CanadaDSL – high priority substance with greatest potential for exposure2006[26]
Challenge to IndustryBatch 2 (health for ‘oxirane (chloromethyl)’)2008[27]
CEPASchedule 1 (‘oxirane (chloromethyl)’)2011[28]
National Classification System
for Contaminated Sites
Rank = “High hazard”, potential human carcinogen2008[29]
Environment Canada’s National Pollutant Release InventoryReportable to NPRI if manufactured, processed, or otherwise used at quantities greater than 10 tonnes.2016[30]
DSL = domestic substance list
CEPA = Canadian Environmental Protection Act
The 2008 screening assessment concluded that epichlorohydrin meets the CEPA criteria for danger to human life or health (based on the critical effect of carcinogenicity), and also for persistence in air. Epichlorohydrin did not meet the criteria for bioaccumulation potential as stated in the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations, nor did it meet the criteria for persistence in water, soil or sediment.[4]

Epichlorohydrin was not included in other Canadian government guidelines, standards, or chemical listings reviewed.

Main Uses

Epichlorohydrin is primarily used to produce epoxy resins for protective linings in food and beverage cans.[4] Epoxy resins are also used in paints and other coatings, structural composites, printed circuit board laminates, semiconductor encapsulants, tooling, molding, casting, and adhesives.[3,4]

Other products manufactured using epichlorohydrin include phenoxy resins used to make thermoplastic polymers; anion exchange resins and flocculants used to treat drinking and waste water; and resins and polymers used to produce textiles, paper, and cellulose products.[4] Epichlorohydrin is also commonly used as a stabilizer,[1] and to produce synthetic glycerol, a component in manufacturing personal care products, drugs, food, and beverages.[4]

Canadian Production and Trade

In 2006, epichlorohydrin was not manufactured in or imported into Canada at amounts exceeding 100 kg per company.[4] It is likely imported into Canada in small quantities as a residual monomer in products containing epichlorohydrin-derived resins.[3]

Production and trade

ActivityQuantityYear
Global Annual Production903,000 t2008[4]
Canadian ProductionNot manufactured in Canada above
the 100 kg threshold
2006[4]
Export:50 t of ‘1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane’2021[31]
Import:87 t of ‘1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane’2021[31]
t = tonne

Environmental Exposures Overview

Environmental exposure to epichlorohydrin may occur through inhalation, dermal absorption, or ingestion.[4] Environmental and consumer product exposures in Canada are expected to be very low, since epichlorohydrin is present only as a residual substance.[3] Measured concentrations of epichlorohydrin in the environment, food, or water in Canada were not available.[3]

There is potential for exposure to epichlorohydrin from food in contact with polyamide-epichlorohydrin resin papers and cans lined with epoxy resin coatings. However, estimates for these types of exposures are low.[4] Low levels of epichlorohydrin have been detected in water.[6] Very low levels of epichlorohydrin may contaminate water after it is used in water treatment to remove suspended solids. Contamination is also possible when epoxy resin coatings leach into water.[1,32,33] However, these levels are expected to be very low.[4]

Health Canada predicts that exposure to epichlorohydrin in indoor or ambient air by inhaling emissions from commercial products (such as epoxy resins, adhesives, coatings, and putties) is negligible.[3]

Residual epichlorohydrin in cosmetic products may lead to exposure via inhalation and dermal routes. Although residual concentrations in these products are unknown and exposure cannot be quantified, it is expected to be low.[3]

Epichlorohydrin is reportable to Environment Canada’s National Pollutant Release Inventory but no releases have been reported since 2003, when a resin/synthetic rubber company released 0.002 tonnes.[34]

A search for ‘epichlorohydrin’ in the United States Consumer Product Information Database produced the following results:

US Consumer Product Information Database

US Consumer Products 2016[35]
Search TermQuantityProduct Type
‘Bisphenol A, epichlorohydrin polymer,
tall oil fatty acids ester’
1Spray enamel (aerosol)
‘Bisphenol A, epichlorohydrin polymer’33Resins, epoxies, and hardeners
‘Bisphenol A, formaldehyde,
epichlorohydrin polymer’
2Epoxies
‘Fatty acids, tall-oil, polymers with bisphenol A,
diethylenetriamine, epichlorohydrin and
tetraethylenepentamine’
3Epoxies, primers

Occupational Exposures Overview

Exposure may occur through inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact when epichlorohydrin is produced and/or synthesized in occupational settings.[1]

CAREX Canada estimates that approximately 5,400 Canadians are exposed to epichlorohydrin in their workplace. Exposure typically occurs in the following industries: automotive repair and maintenance, other miscellaneous manufacturing, aerospace product and parts manufacturing, and paint, coating, and adhesive manufacturing. The largest exposed occupational groups are other labourers in processing, manufacturing, and utilities; motor vehicle body repairers; other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors; and machinists and machining and tooling inspectors.

For more information, see the occupational exposure estimate for epichlorohydrin.

Sources

1. National Toxicology Program (NTP). 15th Report on Carcinogens for Epichlorohydrin (2021)
5. US National Library of Medicine (NLM). PubChem (Search term: ‘Epichlorohydrin’)
6. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Monograph summary, Volume 71 (1999) (PDF)
12. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Regulation 5,12 Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (2018)
13. Government of the Northwest Territories. Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-039-2015 (2020) (PDF)
15. The Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII). Government of Nunavut’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Nu Reg 003-2016 (2010)
17. Government of Prince Edward Island. Occupational Health and Safety Act Regulations Chapter 0-1 (2013) (PDF)
20. The Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII). Yukon’s Occupational Health Regulations, O.I.C. 1986/164 (2020) (PDF)
21. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Annotated PELs (2020)
22. Government of British Columbia. Contaminated Sites Regulation B.C. Reg. 375/96 (2021)
23. Government of Canada. Summary of indoor air reference levels (2018)
25. Health Canada. Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist (2019)
29. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. National Classification System for Contaminated Sites (PDF) (2008)
31. International Trade Centre. TradeMap (Free subscription required)
34. Environment and Climate Change Canada. National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) Facility Search (Substance name: ‘Epichlorohydrin’)
35. Consumer Product Information Database (CPID) What’s in it? (2022) (Search term: ‘Epichlorohydrin’)

 

Other Resources

  1. World Health Organization (WHO). Epichlorohydrin in Drinking Water (2004) (PDF)
  2. International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) INCHEM. Epichlorohydrin Health and Safety Guide No. 8 (1987)
  3. International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) INCHEM. Environmental Health Criteria 33 Epichlorohydrin (1984)
  4. Environment Canada. Summary of Public Comments Received on the Government of Canada’s Draft Screening Assessment Report and Risk Management Scope on Epichlorohydrin (CAS 106-89-8) (2013)
  5. Bell et al. “Glycerin as a renewable feedstock for epichlorohydrin production: The GTE Process”Clean – Soil Air Water2008;36(8):657-661.

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