Is Ethylene Dichloride Toxic? What You Need to Know

At about 10:45 a.m. on January 25, 2022, a huge blast shook the communities of Sulphur and Lake Charles, Louisiana. The cause? An ethylene dichloride tank at Westlake Chemical South, a plant located about four miles from Lake Charles, had exploded. Thick, dark smoke billowed into the air. Emergency crews responded quickly, and local schools issued a shelter-in-place order.

The shelter-in-place order was lifted as soon as authorities determined that no harmful vapors lingered in the air, but six workers were injured in the incident. One was treated at the scene and five others were taken to local hospitals.

When accidents like this happen, nearby residents and workers are often left wondering: How harmful was the chemical that was involved in the explosion? Does it pose a lasting health risk? Is it safe to go outside after a chemical explosion involving ethylene dichloride?

In this article we’ll take a deeper look at ethylene dichloride—what it is, what it’s used for, and what risks it has.

What Is Ethylene Dichloride?

Ethylene dichloride (1,2-dichloroethane) is a colorless, oily liquid chemical compound that has a nonirritating odor, similar to chloroform. It is most commonly used to produce vinyl chloride, a material that’s used to make upholstery for furniture and motor vehicles, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping, auto parts, wall coverings, and housewares.

Ethylene dichloride is also often used as a solvent and as an intermediate for organic compounds. It has a high boiling point of 182 degrees Fahrenheit, and its melting point is -32 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s estimated that about 20 million tons of ethylene dichloride are produced in the U.S., Western Europe, and Japan every year.

Is Ethylene Dichloride Dangerous?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has classified ethylene dichloride as toxic, flammable, and carcinogenic (having the potential to cause cancer.) It can be dangerous to humans if it is inhaled, swallowed, or comes into contact with the skin. Because it is highly flammable, it can also cause serious fires or explosions if mishandled.

What Injuries & Illnesses Are Linked to Ethylene Dichloride?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ethylene dichloride exposure can have serious effects. These effects will vary depending on the extent of exposure and whether it occurred quickly or over an extended period of time. The method of introduction into the system, such as inhalation versus skin contact, can also affect resulting injuries or illnesses.

The most common effects of concentrated ethylene dichloride exposure include:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Headaches
• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Skin irritation/burning

Chronic or acute exposure to ethylene dichloride can lead to:

• Memory impairment
• Reduced coordination
• Liver damage
• Impaired kidney function
• Pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs)
• Cancer

• Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs)
• Cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Hemorrhagic gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
• Colitis (inflammation of the lining of the colon)
• Changes in brain tissue

The Long-Term Effects of Ethylene Dichloride Exposure

The noncancerous effects of chronic ethylene dichloride exposure have not been fully researched at this time, but studies have reported changes in the liver, kidneys, immune system, and central nervous systems of animals who were exposed to lower levels of ethylene dichloride over time.

Cancer & Ethylene Dichloride

The EPA lists ethylene dichloride as a Group B2 carcinogen. This means it is “probably carcinogenic to humans,” based on sufficient evidence from animal exposure but limited evidence from human exposure. This classification is based on both inhalation and ingestion.

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), “Breathing or ingesting high levels of 1,2-dichloroethane (ethylene dichloride) can cause damage to the nervous system, liver kidneys, and lungs and may cause cancer.”

In animals, inhaling, ingesting, or touching ethylene dichloride had increased occurrences of:

• Stomach cancer
• Mammary gland cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Endometrium cancers

Is There an Increased Risk in Pregnant Women?

At this time, there are no conclusive studies that indicate an increased risk of birth defects from ethylene dichloride exposure, but it is always best to exercise caution while pregnant and to see your doctor if you have been exposed to anything you believe may endanger your health or the health of your unborn child.

What Workers Are at Risk of Ethylene Dichloride Exposure?

Ethylene dichloride exposure is most likely in workplaces that produce or require the handling of this chemical compound. Workers are most likely to inhale ethylene dichloride during chemical production, disposal, transportation, or storage. Ingesting ethylene dichloride in contaminated water is also a possibility, but it is less likely because it evaporates quickly into the air.

Residents near factories or plants that use or produce ethylene dichloride may be exposed to the compound, as may people who live near hazardous waste sites.

What Are the Symptoms of Ethylene Dichloride Exposure?

For workers and residents living near plants and factories, knowing the signs of ethylene dichloride exposure is important. These warning signs can help people to seek prompt medical attention when exposure is suspected.

Some symptoms of ethylene dichloride exposure include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of consciousness
• Eye, nose, and throat irritation

A breath, blood, or urine sample can be taken to determine if someone has been recently exposed to ethylene dichloride. The test should be done within a day or two of exposure to ensure its accuracy.

How Does Ethylene Dichloride Affect the Environment?

Most ethylene dichloride that is released into the environment is airborne. Once it is released into the air, the sunlight will break it down, but it can remain in the air for more than five months.

Ethylene dichloride that is released into water sources will break down very slowly. Most will evaporate into the air. When ethylene dichloride is released into the soil, it will evaporate or travel down into underground water sources.

Employers Must Protect Workers from Ethylene Dichloride Exposure

Employers across the country must take appropriate measures to protect workers from exposure to ethylene dichloride. This includes implementing proper training and safety standards so that workers know how to recognize signs of exposure and what to do if they are exposed.

Employers must also provide safety equipment to protect workers from inhaling, swallowing, or touching the compound. They must also post warning signs where ethylene dichloride may be present, and they are responsible for ensuring tanks containing the compound, piping, and equipment that deals with ethylene dichloride are well maintained.

Failures to implement safety standards in any workplace, particularly one where ethylene dichloride is present, can have disastrous consequences. The workers at the Westlake Chemical plant near Lake Charles, Louisiana, discovered that when the ethylene dichloride tank exploded and sent five people to the hospital. Incidents like this are simply unacceptable.

At Arnold & Itkin, we are committed to helping workers across the country who have been exposed to hazardous substances, like ethylene dichloride. We have represented the survivors and families of victims of some of the worst industrial disasters, like the Williams Olefins Geismar plant explosion, helping them get answers and secure life-changing recoveries. When companies are negligent, people turn to our plant explosion lawyers for the help they need.