Product Name: Chloroform
Chemical Formula: CHCl3
CAS Number: 67-66-3
Alternative Names: Trichloromethane, Methane trichloride
Recommended Use: Solvent in laboratories, intermediate in chemical synthesis, extraction processes
Supplier: Typical chemical suppliers and laboratory distributors
Emergency Contact: Local emergency response center or poison control center
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (inhalation, oral, dermal), Carcinogenicity, Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure), Skin irritation, Eye irritation
GHS Label Elements: Signal word: Danger; Hazard statements: Harmful if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin or if inhaled, suspected of causing cancer, causes serious eye irritation, causes skin irritation, may cause drowsiness or dizziness
Pictograms: Health hazard, exclamation mark, skull and crossbones
Routes of Exposure: Skin absorption, inhalation, ingestion, eye contact
Most Important Hazards: Narcotic effects, possible carcinogenic risk, central nervous system depression, liver and kidney damage
Warning: Repeated or prolonged exposure increases health risks
Substance: Chloroform
Chemical Identity: Trichloromethane
Concentration: 99-100%
Impurities: May contain trace amounts of phosgene, hydrochloric acid, or other chlorinated solvents from decomposition or manufacturing processes
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air immediately, keep at rest, monitor breathing, provide oxygen if breathing becomes difficult, contact medical professionals quickly
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin thoroughly with soap and water for several minutes, seek medical attention if irritation or symptoms develop
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, lift eyelids occasionally, seek medical attention immediately
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth cautiously, provide water if conscious, get immediate medical help
Symptoms to Watch: Dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, confusion, skin irritation, eye discomfort, coughing, respiratory distress
Advice for Response Team: Provide appropriate PPE, avoid direct contact, observe for respiratory symptoms
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, CO2 extinguishers, avoid water jets
Hazards from Combustion: Burning produces phosgene, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide
Specific Fire Precautions: Chloroform itself will not easily ignite, but vapors can form explosive mixtures with air under certain conditions, risk increases near hot surfaces or open flames
Special Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), fully protective suit, chemical-resistant gloves and boots
Firefighting Advice: Stay upwind, avoid inhaling fumes, move containers from fire area if safe
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate affected space, restrict access, wear proper PPE including gloves, goggles, and respirators
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, drains, soil, or sewers, notify authorities if spread is significant
Containment Methods: Contain and collect spillage with inert, non-combustible material (earth, sand), transfer waste to properly labeled containers
Cleanup Techniques: Use absorbent materials, ventilate thoroughly, avoid creating aerosols, dispose of contaminated materials as hazardous waste
Handling: Handle in well-ventilated areas, use chemical fume hoods for lab work, avoid breathing vapors or coming in contact with skin and eyes, keep container tightly closed while in use, ground containers when pouring
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling, maintain proper workspace cleanliness, remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers in cool, dry, well-ventilated spaces away from direct sunlight, heat sources, open flames, oxidizing agents, and incompatible chemicals such as alkali metals and strong bases
Storage Temperatures: Keep between 2-8°C if possible, away from any source of ignition or temperature extremes
Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 10 ppm (TWA), OSHA PEL: 50 ppm (TWA), NIOSH REL: 2 ppm (TWA)
Engineering Controls: Use with local exhaust ventilation or fume hoods, maintain proper air exchanges
Personal Protection: Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), splash goggles or full face shield, lab coat, chemical-resistant apron, use appropriate respiratory protection if ventilation is inadequate
Eye Protection: Tight-fitting safety goggles
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved respirators for organic vapors when exposure risk exists
Protective Measures: Emergency shower and eyewash station nearby
Appearance: Colorless, clear liquid
Odor: Pleasant, sweet and penetrating aroma
Odor Threshold: 85 ppm
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point/Freezing Point: -63.5°C
Boiling Point: 61.2°C
Flash Point: None (non-flammable under standard conditions)
Evaporation Rate: 11.6 (butyl acetate = 1)
Flammability: Not highly flammable but vapor can form explosive mixtures at elevated temperatures
Vapor Pressure: 160 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 4.1 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 1.48 g/cm3
Solubility: 7.95 g/L in water at 20°C, miscible with alcohol, ether, benzene
Partition Coefficient: n-octanol/water: 2.0
Auto-ignition Temperature: 980°C
Decomposition Products: Phosgene, hydrogen chloride
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage conditions without light and air exposure, sensitive to prolonged exposure to UV light and heat
Incompatible Materials: Alkali metals, strong bases, strong oxidizers, powdered metals, aluminum, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Phosgene, hydrogen chloride, chlorine gas, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to sunlight, heat, open flames, strong bases, alkali metals
Polymerization: Does not polymerize
Acute Toxicity: Harmful if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin, LD50 (oral, rat): approx. 695 mg/kg; LC50 (inhalation, rat, 4 h): 47.7 mg/L
Chronic Toxicity: Long-term exposure linked to liver and kidney damage, possible reproductive toxicity, carcinogenic potential classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans)
Symptoms of Exposure: Headache, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, nausea, respiratory distress, skin/eye irritation, liver pain, gastrointestinal disorders
Target Organs: Liver, kidneys, central nervous system
Delayed/Immediate Effects: Toxic effects may be immediate or take hours/days to manifest
Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic life, LC50 (fish, 96 h): 18-54 mg/L, toxicity to daphnia and algae reported
Persistence and Degradability: Moderately persistent in the environment, slow biodegradation
Bioaccumulative Potential: Moderate bioaccumulation possible
Mobility in Soil: High mobility, can leach into groundwater
Other Negative Effects: Ozone depletion potential due to release and atmospheric breakdown
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of according to local, regional, national, and international regulations for hazardous chemical waste, use licensed chemical waste disposal companies
Packaging Disposal: Triple rinse containers, puncture before disposal, do not reuse containers
Handling of Spills or Residues: Treat contaminated materials as hazardous, avoid runoff to sewers, report large spills to environmental authorities
Precaution: Incineration may require special controls due to toxic byproducts
UN Number: 1888
UN Proper Shipping Name: Chloroform
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Marine Pollutant: Not listed as a marine pollutant but spills impact aquatic environments
Emergency Response Guide: Refer to ERG code 151
Special Transport Requirements: Keep away from foodstuffs, use secure, upright, labeled containers, check for leaks before transport
OSHA: Listed hazardous substance, requirements for hazard communication, exposure monitoring, and control
EPA: Listed on TSCA inventory, regulated under Clean Air Act as Hazardous Air Pollutant, reportable quantity 10 lbs, subject to SARA Title III reporting
IARC: Group 2B carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic to humans)
EU Regulation: REACH registered, included in Candidate List for possible authorization
Other Agencies: Subject to WHMIS, Australian SUSMP, and other international chemical safety inventories
