Hexachloroethane

Overview

EPA is conducting a peer review and public comment of the scientific basis supporting the human health hazard and dose-response assessment of hexachloroethane that when finalized will appear on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database.

Background

The draft Toxicological Review of hexachloroethane provides scientific support and rationale for the hazard and dose-response assessment pertaining to chronic exposure to hexachloroethane. Hexachloroethane (C₂Cl₆) is a colorless, nonflammable, crystalline solid primarily used in the military for pyrotechnic devices. Hexachloroethane has been used as a polymer additive, moth repellant, plasticizer for cellulose esters, insecticide solvent, and for refining aluminum alloys. Hexachloroethane is not commercially distributed in the United States. Exposure to hexachloroethane is primarily occupational, via inhalation and dermal exposure during hexachloroethane manufacturing and metal refining. Exposure may occur in military or civilian personnel working with pyrotechnic devices containing hexachloroethane and via ingestion of contaminated drinking water or fish. Hexachloroethane was identified in Superfund sites.

This assessment contains the derivation of a chronic oral reference dose (RfD), chronic inhalation reference concentration (RfC), and an oral cancer slope factor.

History/Chronology

Date	Description
Sep 1987	The oral RfD and cancer assessment for hexachloroethane was posted to the IRIS database.
Apr 2010	EPA initiated the interagency science consultation on the draft Toxicological Review of Hexachloroethane.
May 2010	EPA released the External Review Draft for public review and comment. EPA also announced a public listening session to be held on June 16, 2010. [Federal Register May 13, 2010]
Aug 2010	EPA announced an independent peer review meeting to be held in Arlington, VA on September 21, 2010. [Federal Register Aug 2, 2010]
Dec 2010	EPA releases the comments from the public comment period and external review workshop.

Status

Following external peer review and public comment, the final assessment will be posted to the IRIS database.

Additional Information

Comments on the assessment may be submitted and reviewed using the e-Government Regulations.gov Web site. From the site, select “Environmental Protection Agency” and the keyword “EPA-HQ-ORD-2010-0403" (for the docket ID) to comment on this report.

This download(s) is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. It has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency determination or policy.

• Draft Toxicological Review of Hexachloroethane: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) (PDF)  (202  pp, 1.2 MB, about PDF)
• Charge to External Reviewers (PDF)  (3  pp, 37.1 KB, about PDF)
• Consolidated Comments from the External Peer Review (Final) (PDF)  (58  pp, 307.6 KB, about PDF)
• Charge to reviewers (PDF)  (NA  pp, 37.1 KB, about PDF)

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Federal Register Notices

• FR Notice: Aug 2, 2010
• FR Notice: May 13, 2010