Toxicity summaryAcute effects: The nervous and respiratory systems are the primary targets of acute exposures to vinyl chloride. Short-term inhalation exposures to high levels of vinyl chloride have resulted in effects such as dizziness, headaches, inebriation, lack of muscle coordination, respiratory irregularity, depression, convulsions, cyanosis, fatigue, unconsciousness, and death. Acute health effects have been observed only at air concentration orders of magnitude higher than those typically observed in ambient air.
Chronic effects: Long-term exposures to vinyl chloride in occupational settings have resulted in a collection of symptoms commonly described as "vinyl chloride disease." The characteristics of this disease include clinical signs and symptoms of damage or changes in: the liver, the skin, bone morphology of the fingers, the blood and blood-forming system, and the respiratory and central nervous systems (CNS).
Genotoxicity: Occupational exposures to vinyl chloride have been associated with statistically significant increases in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchange, and elevated levels of micronuclei. Vinyl chloride also causes genetic damage in bacteria and rodents.
Carcinogenicity: Classified as a Group A (human carcinogen) by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and as a Group 1 (human carcinogen) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Epidemiological studies of occupationally-exposed workers have linked exposure to vinyl chloride to the development of a rare hepatic angiosarcoma, and also to the development of lung, brain, and lymphatic cancers.
Reproductive and developmental toxicity: There is limited evidence in humans of adverse effects on male and female reproduction following long-term exposure to vinyl chloride. Effects in males may include impotence, loss of libido, and decreased androgen secretion. Effects in pregnant women may include ovarian dysfunction, benign uterine growths, prolapsed genital organs, elevated blood pressure, and edema. Effects of vinyl chloride on fetal development have been examined thoroughly. Several independent studies have suggested that increases in the prevalence of congenital malformations and CNS developmental toxicity are linked to exposure to emissions from vinyl chloride polymerization facilities in several different locations. However, no correlations have been found between the presence of birth defects and the proximity to the polymerization facilities or parental occupation. As a result, the evidence regarding developmental effects associated with vinyl chloride exposure remains inconclusive.
Sensitive populations: The elderly, females, newborns, and alcohol consumers have been reported to be particularly sensitive to the effects of vinyl chloride. Individuals with liver, renal, cardiac or pulmonary impairments may also be more susceptible to the toxicity of vinyl chloride.
Quick reference index
| Chemical Formula | C2 H3 Cl |
| Synonyms | Chloroethylene, Chloroethene, Ethylene Monochloride |
| Use | Vinyl chloride is used primarily in the production of polyvinyl |
| chloride (PVC) in the manufacturing of plastic and vinyl products |
| such as pipes, wires, housewares, and automotive parts. |
| Physico-chemical | Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas or liquid characterized |
| properties | by a sweet, ethereal odor. It is soluble in ethanol and a variety of |
| industrial solvents, but only slightly soluble in water. It is readily |
| flammable and produces hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, |
| carbon dioxide, and traces of phosgene upon combustion. |
| Environmental Fate | Vinyl chloride is subject to rapid volatilization in soil and surface |
| water and is photochemically degraded in air. It does not |
| bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms or adsorb to sediments and is |
| biodegradable under anaerobic conditions. |
| Sources and | Inhalation is the primary route of human exposure to |
| Exposure | vinyl chloride, though exposure may also occur via the ingestion of |
| food and water containing this substance. The principal sources of |
| vinyl chloride exposure are air and wastewater emissions from PVC |
| and plastics manufacturing facilities and as a degradation product |
| of disposed wastes, chlorinated solvents, and hydrocarbons |
| in landfills. Vinyl chloride does not occur naturally. |
Overview: Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas or liquid characterized by a sweet, ethereal odor. A man-made chemical, vinyl chloride is primarily used in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which is in turn used in a wide variety of plastic and vinyl products. u
Useful regulatory information
| Agency | Parameter | Value |
| Unit Risk Estimate (Inhalation) | 8.4x10-5 (µg/m3)-1 |
| Unit Risk Estimate (Oral) | 5.4x10-5 (µg/m3)-1 |
| Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) under the Safe Drinking Water Act | 0.002 mg/L |
| US EPA | Designated as a Hazardous Substance under CERCLA Reportable quantity | |
| requirement | 0.454 kg |
| Toxic Release Inventory Program | Releases > 1 pound must |
| | be reported annually and |
| | entered into national TRI |
| | Designated as a toxic pollutant under Section 307(a)(1) of the | |
| | Federal Water Pollution Control Act | |
| | | |
| | 1/2-hour POI criterion | 3 µg/m3 |
| Ontario MOE | 24-hour AAQC | 1 µg/m3 | |
| | Annual AAQC | 0.2 µg/m3 |
| NIOSH | REL TWA = Lowest Reliably Detectable Concentration | Special | |
| OSHA | Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) - Time Weighted Average | 1 ppm | |
| | (8-Hr. workshift) | |
| | Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) - 15 min. work period | 5 ppm |
| ACGIH | Threshold Limit Value - Time Weighted Average (8-Hr. workshift) | 5 ppm (13 mg/m3) | |
| Ontario MOL | Vinyl chloride is prescribed as a designated substance. | -- | |