Document jNkDvkwg9vMDBpbw1GvEJok1O

JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY. VOL. 14(4), 301-307 (1994) Toxicology Update Note: Tile Toxicology Update represents a brief review of an often extensive literature base. Only some of the directly related references may be included. VINYL CHLORIDE Synonyms: Chloroethene, cfaloroethy* lene, vinyl chloride monomer, VCM, vinyl C monomer, ethylene monochlor ide, monochloroethylene. CAS no: 75-01-4. Boiling point; -- 13.37'C. Colon Colorless liquid or gas. Conversion factor: 1 ppm = 2.60 mg m"J. DOT designation; Flammable gas. Flammability limits: Autoignition, 472*0 LEL, 4%; UEL, 22%. Henry's Law constant: 1.2 atm.m2 mol'1 @10*0 Melting point: --153.8*0 Molecular formula: OH3CI. Molecular weight: 62.50. Odor. Threshold. 3.4 ppm (air) and 3000 ppm (water); Characteristics, faintly sweet odor. Solubility: In water. 1100-2763 mg l'1 @25*0 K,, = 1.28; very soluble in ether, soluble in alcohols and hydrocarbons. 30 57 ml g'1. Specific gravity: 0.9106 (20/4"C). Vapor density: 2-15 (air = 1). Vapor pressure: 2530 mmHg @ 20*0 Viscosity: 0.01702 cP @ 20"C (gas) and 0.2SQ cP @ -20*C (liquid). (References: 1-3.) Composition Vinyl chloride is a volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon, which, at room tempera ture, is a colorless gas having a mild, sweet odor. It is typically supplied as a pressurized liquid of technical-grade 99% purity/ Phenol is used as a stabil izer to prevent polymerization of vinyl chloride and is generally added at levels of 25-50 mg kg'1 vinvi chloride.3 Uses/sources Vinyl chloride can be produced by thermally cracking ethylene dichloride or by chlorinating ethylene.* The vinyl chloride monomer is polymerized into polyvinyl chloride and used in the plas tics industry to make a variety of products, including food covering, pipe, wire coating, furniture, housewares, wallcovering, packaging materials, car upholstery and car parts. A vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymeris used in floor coverings, phonograph records and flexible film. A vinyl chloride-vinyiidine chloride copolymer is used in food-packaging film. Vinyl chloride is also used as a refrigerant gas and as a chemical intermediate, it was formerly used in small amounts as an aerosol propellant and an ingredient in drugs and cosmetics.2 Vinyl chloride has the potential to migrate from PVC packaging into food (e.g. bottled drinking water). The migration rate appeared to be linear, and estimated exposure may exceed 100 ng per person per day/ Acute toxicity Ingestion: Ingestion is an unlikely route of exposure, despite the water solubility of this compound, due to the extremely high vapor pressure. How ever, the LD<o by gavage in rats is reported to be 500 mg kg'1.* Inhalation: Vinyl chloride may be tol erated at levels over 8000 ppm for up to 5 min without developing signs or symptoms of toxicity.1 Inhalation of vinyl chloride may cause respiratory irritation, bronchitis, dizziness, incoor dination, headache, irritability, afferent sensory polyneuritis, cardiac arryriunia, unconsciousness and death. Pulmonary effects include dyspnea, asthma, inter stitial pneumonitis and pneumonoconiosis.* Vinyl chloride impairs the central nervous system (CNS) at high concentrations. Deaths in humans due to narcosis have been reported. How ever, the concentrations were unquant ified.2 Slight anesthesia, drowsiness, slight visual disturbances, faltering gait, numbness and tingling in the extremeties have been observed at 1000 ppm.' Inhalation of vinyl chloride at concen trations ranging from 3000 to 20000 ppm may produce dizziness, giddiness, euphoria, ataxia, headache and nar cosis. 10 The acute LCLo levels for rodents are presented in Tabic I. .Anesthesia was observed in dogs at 70 OQO ppm.11 Pulmonary edema, hemorrhaging, impaired blood clotting and liver and kidney congestion were also observed in laboratory animals following acute exposure to vinyl chloride.12 Eye contact: Vinyl chloride is a severe irritant to the eyes and mucous mem branes.* Data regarding acute toxidty from eye contact was not located but effects associated with its ability to freeze tissue might be expected. Skin contact: Liquid vinyl chloride placed on the skin may freeze tissue and produce a chemical bom as it evaporates, causing damage to the underlying tissue (frostbite). This chemical is considered to be a severe skin irritant.* Data regarding acute tox icity from skin contact was not located. Significant absorption from incidental skin contact is unlikely to result in systemic toxidty owing to the volatility of the compound. Chronic toxidty Ingestion: The liver is the primary target organ for vinyi chloride in humans and animate. Toxic effects in animals subject to chronic ingestion of vinyl chloride include enlargement of the liver and spleen, reduced bloodclotting time and development of angiosarcomas, adenosarcotnas and heptaceilular carcinomas.14 Feron tt ai.13 determined 30 mg kg'1 to be the no adverse effect level (NOAEL) and 100 mg kg'1 to be the lowest adverse effect level (LOAEL) in rats based upon liver effects daring a 15-week gavage study. Slight histoiogicai changes in the hepatocytes were observed in the 100 mg kg'1 and 300 mg kg'1 dose levels. Hypertrophy of the rough endo plasmic reticulum was observed in both sexes in the 300 mg kg'1 dose group. A dose related increase in liver weights was also observed, with differences being significant in the 300 mg kg'1 dose level. A lifetime feeding study by Til et ai,** found the NOAEL and LOAEL to be 0.13 and IE mg kg'1 day'1, respectively, based upon hepatotoxicitv. Heptaceilular changes and hepatic cysts were observed in botn sexes receiv ing 1.3 mg kg'* day'1. An increase in basophilic foci was observed in both sexes receiving 1.3 mg kg'1 day'1 buc only in fetnaies receiving 0.13 and 0.014 mg kg'1 day'1. The authors concluded that histopathologicri effects observed at 0.13 and 0.014 mg kg'1 day'1 were CCC 0260--137X/9-WW0301-07 1994 by John Wiley & Sons. Ltd. ~C Xtcttvfd 4 August 1993 Acceptra treraea) 7 Juiy 1993 302 M. 0. EASTER AND R. VON BURG compound-related but not considered :o be adverse effects. Feron et ai.a ^SCiso observed hepatic effects including mrnupesoprelacsetiivcincghadniegteasryinpoalyllvitnreyal ctmhleonrt ide at levels between 1.7 and 14.1 mg kg-1 day"1. Thus the minimal risk level or Hazard Index, based upon hepatotoxicitv. is estimated to be approximately 0.0013 mg kg"1 day-1.14 after applying a standard default safety factor of 100 to the NOAEL determined bv Til et a/.14 Inhalation: Occupational exposure to vinyl chloride vapor has resulted in deaths due to narcosis and development of conditions known as `vinyl chloride disease' and 'meat wrapper's asthma'.'1-14-1'' Vinyl chloride disease has been reported in workers exposed to several hundred ppm for periods rang ing 1 month to 3 years before the onset of symptoms.4 Symptoms of vinyl chloride disease include scleroderma of the connective tissue in the fingers with dermal thicken ing. a Raynaud-like condition with reversible arteriole constriction causing numbness, pallor and cyanosis of the fingers. This condition may be followed by acro-osteolysis (dissolution of the ends of the distal phalanges of the hand). Hematological, respiratory and h|^ttc effects, and increases in circuiat^igG and immune complexes have been observed.20-21 However, no new cases of vinyl chloride disease have been reported in the US since 1974. when the occupational exposure levels were reduced to 1 ppm.4 Hepatotoxicitv was observed in mice found dead after subchronic exposure (5-9 days) co 1000 ppm vinyl chloride,22 Suzuki22-24 observed proliferative hypertrophy of terminal bronchiolar ceils, hyperplasia of alveolar epi thelium. degeneration of alveolar septal ceils and peribronchiolar or bronchiolar inflammation in mice exposed to 2500 or 6000 ppm during a 6-month period. Rats exposed to 5000 ppm for 1 year were observed to have hematological effects, reduced growth, increased spiemc hematopoiesis, degeneration of the myocardium, thickening or" the menal walls, hyperplasia of the olfac tory epithelium, nephrotoxicity and miid alteration of the lungs and zvmbal glands.2-1 The LOaEL in a 6-month rat subch ronic study was found to be 10 ppm based on hepatic effects.24 The LOAEL based upon hepatic effects in a I-year rat study was at 50 ppm. the lowest dose level. Consequently, the NOaEL could not be determined.22 A subs^Htt 1-year rat study by 8i et ut.lh (vUthe LOAEL and NOAEL to be 100 and 10 ppm respectively, based upon terminal body weights. The mini mal risk level for 'intermediate exposures' to vinyl chloride is estimated to be 50 ppm based on these data,14 Eye contact: See Acute toxicity. Eye contact. Skin contact: See Acute toxicity. Skin contact. Sensitization No information regarding the skin sensi tization potential of vinyl chloride was located. However. Meat wrapper's asthma is thought to be attributed to the thermal degradation products emitted from heat-sealed vinyl chloride wrap ping materials.19 Target organ toxicity Cardiovascular effects: Impaired cir culation in the extremities and Ray naud's syndrome have been observed in humans suffering from 'vinyl chloride' disease. Miid focal degeneration of the myocardium, portai hypertension, thickening of the arterial walls and tumors of the hepatic blood vessels have been observed in rats subject to chronic vinyl chloride exposure.27 Vinvi chionde has sensitized the ani mal heart to epinephnne-induced arrythmias and may increase ventricular fibrillation.'4 Increased spieen weight, thrombocy topenia and changes in hematology parameters were observed in rats exposed to high levels of vinyl chloride for 1 year.21 Hepatic effects: Vinyl chionde has been associated with hepatotoxic effects in humans and animals. Signs of vinyl chloride liver injury include abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue and weakness. Fibrosis and cirrhosis may occur and cause heoatomegaiy, splenomegaly, portal hypertension, thrombocytopenia and esophageal vances.22-23 Hepatic fibrosis is often observed in the tumorfree portions of liver in workers dying from angiosarcoma. However, the tran sition from hepatic fibrosis to angiosar coma has not been proven.'1 Increased levels of urinary porphyrin and coproporphynn correlate with iiver damage induced by vinyl chionde and other hepatotoxins.-' Hepatotoxic effects may be reversible in occupationailv exDOsed individuals. Between' 1971 and 1982. 12 of 13 workers in a vinyl chionde polymeriz ation plant were observed to have persistent abnormalities in one or more iiver function tests. The vinyl ehionue levels durtne this period ranged from 1 ppm to 21 ppm. In 1983 the vinyl chloride level was maintained below I ppm and no further cases of vinyl chloride-induced liver dysfunction were observed.20 Scleroderma on the back of the hand at the metacarpal and phalangeal joints and inside of the forearms has been observed in some chronically exposed individuals having angioneurotic dis orders.' In experimental animals. Torkeison et a/.21 observed hepatic lesions in rabbits and rats exposed for 6 months to 500 and 200 ppm. respectively. Lee n al.~ reported increased hepatic cell turnover rates in rats exposed to 50 ppm for 8-9 months. No inhalation NOAEL for hepatotoxic effecs has been reported. The ATSDR holds 50 ppm to be a Frank Effect Level (FEL).14 Development of hepatotoxddry via ingestion of vinyl chloride appears to be significantly related to the duration of exposure given that the subchronic oral NOAEL is 30 mg kg"1,13 over 200 times greater than the chronic oral NOAEL of 0.13 mg kg"1 day-1.14 The liver is the primary target of vinyl chloride effects because it is beiieved that vinvi chloride is biologi cally activated in the liver by cytoch rome P-450 IIE1 in the mixed-function oxidase system.22 The mixed-function oxidase system oxidizes vinyl chloride into the reactive oxirane, 2-chloroethylene oxide. The oxirane then reacts and covalently bonds to nearby macromol ecules. such as proteins or nucleic adds, impairing cell function or causing mutations. This hypothesis is supported by studies showing vinyl chloride metab olites covaiently bound to macromoleeuies and vinyl chloride hepatotoxidtv potentiation by P-450 inducers and sup pression by P-150 inhibitors.22-23 Vinvi chloride has recently been implicated as a `suicide inhibitor' of cytochrome P-150. Following activation by P-450 the reactive oxirane covalently binds ;o pyrrole nitrogens in the heme moiety, destroying the heme and reduc ing P-150 activity.22 Absorption--metabolism-excretion Absorption in rats from the gastrointes tinal tract is nearly comiere. ranging between 80 and 90%.-15 Withes*24 found thai blood levels peaked 10-20 min following gavage of a single 10-ml ali quot of C4--)2 mg kg"1 vmyi chionde in an aqueous solution. Seventy-rwo hours after ingestion, the greatest con centration of vinyl chloride was found in ihe liver at concentrations two- to fivefold greater than in the lung, fat. muscle, skin or plasma.'5 On average, humans retain -t2% of inhaled vinyl chloride.'7 Animal data indicate that vinyl chloride is rapidly absorbed, but is insufficient to quantit ate the proportion of dose absorbed. FC 332<9 TOXICOLOGY UPDATE 303 Butcher er a/.3* found that when metab olism was inhibited with 6-oitro-1.2.3- benzothiadiazole. the greatest levels of labeled vinyl chloride occurred in the fat. However, when metabolism was not inhibited the greatest levels of vinyl chloride were found in the liver and kidneys. Duprat et aiconducted a study measuring tissue concentrations in rats of radiolabeied vinyl chloride following exposure to 20 000 ppm. Ten minutes after exposure, radioactivity was detected in the liver, bile duct, digestive tract and kidney. In rats, radio-labeled vinyl chloride was detected in order of decreasing activity in the liver, kidney, skin, lung, carcass, plasma and fat.33' Dermal absorption of vinyl chloride in animals is minimal at best. The bodies of rhesus monkeys were placed in a chamber in which they were exposed to 800 and 7000 ppm vinyi chloride while their heads were outside the chamber, permitting only dermal absorption. At 800 ppm. dermal absorp tion was 0.031% and 0.023% at 7000 ppm.30 Metabolism of vinyl chloride is believed to proceed by three alternative pathways: the extent of each is depen dent upon vinyl chloride concentration. At low concentrations, the primary paihway appears to be sequential oxi dation of vinyl chloride to 2-chloroe- thanol, 2-chloroacetalaldehyde and finally to 2-chloroacedc add by alcohol dehydrogenase. Pretreatment with ethanol at exposure levels of < 100 ppm resulted in an inhibition of >83%. However, pretreatment with ethanol prior to exposures of 1000 ppm resulted in inhibition by <47%. suggesting an alternative metabolic route to the alco hol dehydrogenase pathway.13 At greater concentrations, vinyl chloride may be oxidized by mixed- function oxidases to 2-chloroethylenc oxide, with spontaneous rearrangement to 2-chloroacetalaldehyde. or oxidized by catalase to 2-chloroethyihydro-per- oxide. followed by dehydration to form 2-chloroacetalaldehyde. Pretreatment with SKF-525A had no effect on vinyi chloride metabolism at concentrations of < 100 ppm. .Metabolism of vinyl chloride was inhibited by 19% with SKF-525A pretreatment at exposure levels of 1000 ppm. indicating that the mixed-function oxidase pathway is significant only at higher concen trations. However, presentment with 6-nitro- 1.2.3-bezothiadiazole completely inhibited vinyl chloride metabolism in rats exposed to 0.45 ppm. vinyl chloride for 5 h. suggesting that metabolism via the alcohol dehydrogenase pathway may require epoxidation by mixed- function oxidases.'- Bucnier et al.i' found saturation of the metabolic path- wavs in rhesus monkeys to occur at 200 ppm and a or :0 punoi h"1 kg"1, which is less than that observed in tats exposed to 250 ppm with a VTM. of 110 umoi h-1 kg-1.-1* Vinvi chlonde is believed to be meta bolize:. into a reactive epoxide inter mediate (see Qironic Toxicity, Hepatic effects). A subsequent metabolite. 2- chlororaceiaiaidehyde. readily conju gates with sulfhydryl groups in proteins, if the giutathione-5 transferase (GSH) detoxification pathway is saturated, then the aldehyde is free to bind to other proteins, impairing ceil function. The route of excretion is determined by the extent of exposure regardless of whether exposure is via ingestion, inhalation or interpentoneai or intra venous injection. Generally, as the dose increases, the proportion of unchanged vinyl chloride exhaled also increases.33 At low exposure levels, die majority (ca.70% of the vinyl chloride is excreted in the urine.39 Exhalation of unchanged vinyl chlor ide is not a significant route of elimin ation by humans from exposure to low concentrations. Individuals were exposed to 2.9-23.1 ppm vinyl chloride for 6 h and breath samples were taken 30 min following exposure. Mean con centrations of exhaled vmvl chloride ranged from undetectable to 1.1 ppm.37 o Genot tfidritv* Vinyl chloride has tested positive in in vitro and in vivo mutagenicity assays. The mutagenicity data implicate 2-chloroethvlene oxide and 2-chloroacetalaidehvde as being the mutagenic agents associated with the positive results. Both metabolites have been shown to be more effective than vinyl chloride in inducing mutations in Salmonella typhimurium,i` Metabolic activation of vinyl chloride has been required to obtain maximal or any response.35 Vinyl chloride has been shown to be muta genic in S. typhimurium strains, which revert by base-pair substitutions from alkylating agents rather than frameshift reversion strains.-" Singer et ai.'1'' found that V-Z.j-ethenoeuanine is a product of vinvi chlonde reaction with DNA in vivo and of cnioroacetaialdehvde in vivo. This reaction led to increased G-A transition with Escher ichia coii and Drosophila melanogaster polymerases, and human immunodefic iency virus (HIV) reverse transcriptase. Vinyi chloride was positive in the recessive lethal assay but negative m the dominant lethal assay in D. mel anogaster.^ Vinyl chloride was negative in the mouse dominant lethal assay.J'* Vinyl chloride has been found to alkyl ate DNA in rats and mice.10'31 Chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes of exposed wor kers have been detected in many studies and breaks have been reported to be localized in specific chromosomes.31-33 Andersen et of.3* observed a decrease in chromosomal aberrations in exposed workers following a reduction in exposure from 50 ppm to <5 ppm. Neurotoxicity Inhalation of vinyi chloride produces anesthesia and narcosis. Chronic occu pational exposure to levels of < 50 ppm has been associated with distal axonal neuropathy in the legs35 and changes in electroencephalograms of workers exposed to vinyi chloride and other solvents.53 Diffuse degenerative lesions in the gray and white matter of the brain and atrophy of the cerebellar granular layer in rats exposed to 30 000 ppm for 4 h per day, 5 days per week have been reported.37 Other neurotoxic effects include functional disturbances of the CNS with afferent sensory polyneur itis.30 Brain neuroblastomas have been ovserved in chronic rat inhalation stud ies.15 Reproductive toxicity Epidemiological data show a possible correlation between paternal occu pational exposure to vinyl chloride and fetai toss.39-60 An increase in CNS defects, defo/maries of the upper ali mentary and genital tracts and dubfoot were observed in stillborn and live children in three dries having vinyl chloride plants.5 Animal teratogenidty data are equivocal. No adverse maternal or tera togenic effects were observed in rats exposed to >500 ppm for 7-12-day intervals during organogenesis. However. Mirkova et a/."3 observed evidence of fetotoxirity and terato genidty in rats subject to a continuous exposure of 2.4 ppm. Evidence of fetotoxidtv included early post implantation loss, reduced fetal weight, retarded ossification and fetai hematomas. Evi dence of teratogenidty included anom alies of tp.e brain and impaired liver functions. Occupational exposure has been found to be associated with impaired sexual function in both sexes and impaired gynecological health in women in a Russian study. Ovarian dysfunction, benign uterine growths and prolapsed organs were reported in 77% of exposed women.'* 3i et ai.-s observed a signifi cant reduction in testicular weight in rats exposed to 100 and 300 ppm for 6 months. Carcinogenicity Vinyl chloride has been assodated with cancer in humans and has been classified 304 M. D. Easter and r. von burg Table 1. Acute lethal concentration values in several mammalian spedta13 Species Concentration (ppml Guinea pig Rabbit Mouse Rat LC,og100 000 LC* =230-300 LC* =117-500 LC,,, =6000 " Table 2. Occupational exposure: permissible and recommended worker exposure limits*** ACGIHtTLV STEL OSHAtTWA PEL NIOSH 5 ppm 10 ppm 1 ppm 5 ppm 0 ppm as a Group 1 carcinogen by LARC and a Group A carcinogen by the EPA.45 Vinyl chloride was first associated with liver cancer in exposed workers in 1974 when rare liver .ngiosarcomas were detected in three workers in a single vinyl chloride polymerization plant.44 Based upon a worldwide regis ter of cases of angiosarcoma, the aver age length of exposure resulting in angiosarcoma is 18.3 years.* Fibrosis is typically found in tumor-free portions of the liver in workers dying of angiosar coma, but transition from fibrosis to angiosarcoma has not been proven.* After 1974 occupational exposure levels were reduced to 1 ppm. No cases of hepatic angiosarcoma in workers exposed soieiy after this date have been recorded. However, a longer latency period may be required. Data on cases of angiosarcoma allegedly due to environmental contamination are equivocal owing to background inci dence and insufficient sample size.* Vinyl chloride has been implicated in other forms of cancer. Increased incidence of cancer of the brain, respir atory tract and digestive tract, hematopoieric/lymphopoietic cancers and malignant skin melanomas have been associated with occupational vinyl chlor ide exposure.4*-4* Inhalation and ingestion of vinyl chloride has produced cancer in labora tory animals. Maltoni et al.m observed an increased incidence in tumors in mice, rats and hamsters exposed to > 50 ppm. Liver angiosarcoma increased in all species: hepatomas, zymbai gland carcinomas, neuroblastomas, extrahepatic angiosarcomas and skin acanthomas were also noted. Drew et ai.TM detected an age effect upon carcinogenic response to vinyl chloride exposure in mice, rats and hamsters. Maximal carcinogenic response occurred if inha lation exposure was during the first year of life. Rats were also observed to have a biologically significant increased incidence of brain cancer.3*4 Lung tumors , were frequently observed in mice as the primary carcinogenic response following acute and chronic exposure.71-72 Epidemiology Occupational exposure to vinyl chloride has been associated with an increased incidence of cancer, particularly liver angiosarcoma.46 A recent Scandinavian study detected a nearly three-fold increase in liver cancer among vinyl chloride workers, which dearly corre lated to time of initial exposure, dur ation of employment and estimated quantitative exposure.73 Other cancers associated with occupational vinyl chlor ide exposure indude cancer ofthe brain/ CNS, lung/respiratory tract digestive tract, pancreas and hematopoietic/lymphocytic system, and malignant sltin melanoma.47-6* Cutaneous and epi thelioid hemangioendotheliomas have also been reported in occupationally exposed individuals.74-71 A syndrome know as 'vinyl chloride disease' has been associated with occu pational exposure (see Chronic toxicity. Inhalation). Environmental fate Air; Nearly all the vinyl chloride released into the environment reaches the atmosphere owing to its volatility. The primary sources of release are vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride manufacturers. Prior to 1975, an esti mated 100 million kg year'1 were released by PVC plants.4 Hartmans et L7i estimated that 400 million lb of vinyl chloride were released worldwide during 1982. Other sources include release from landfills, combustion of PVC and tobacco smoke.5*77 Photodegradation of vinyl chloride in a reaction with hydroxide radicals is the primary means of removing vinyl chloride from the air. The EPA2 esti mates the half-life to be ca. 1.5-1.3 days. Breakdown products include hyd rochloride, formaldehyde, formyl chlor ide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, chloraacetalaldehyde, acetylene, chioroethylene, chloroacervlchioranil and water. In areas of photochemical smog, the half-life s substantially shorter (ca. 3-7 h).9 Reaction with ozone, oxygen atoms and direct photolysis are insig nificant degradation mechanisms.* The high partition coefficient between air and water probably makes removal or' vinyl chloride from air by wet deposition insignificant. Dry depo sition is equally insignificant owing to the high vapor pressure of vinyl chlor ide.1 Water; Vinyl chloride volatizes from water relatively rapidly. The estimated half-life of vinyl chloride in a pond, lake and river is 43.3, 34.7 and 8.7h, respectively.1 However, Lyman of.7* estimated the half-life to be 0.805 h. This estimate was based upon a Henry's Law constant of 0.0560 atm m~3, a 1m deep stream, a 3 m s"1 current and a wind velocity of 3 m s'1. Factors affecting the half-life indude reaeration rates and salt concentration. Photodeg radation may be a significant removal mechanism in waters containing photosensitizers. such as humic adds. Chemical hydrolysis or oxidation is not expected to be a significant degra dation mechanism. Microbial degra dation under aerobic conditions has been shown to be insignificant.2 How ever, biodegradation may be an important mechanism in groundwater where volatization cannot occur. Under aerobic conditions, 99% of radiolabeled vinyl chloride was degraded after 108 days in an aquifer, 65% was convened to carbon dioxide.79 Degradation pro ducts in groundwater also include trich loroethylene. tetrachioroethyiene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane.30 Soil: Vinyl chloride is expected to voiatize readily from dry or wet soil owing to its high vapor pressure. The half-life of vinyl chloride placed in 1 cm and 10 cm of dry soil is estimated to be 21 and 12 h, respectively.2 The soil adsorption coefficient (32*) for vinyl chloride is estimated to be in the range 17-131, indicating high soil mobility and potential to reach groundwater.73**1 Environmental toxicity Based solely on water solubility, vinyl chloride is estimated to have a biocon centration factor (BCF) of 7, Thus, vinyl chloride is not expected to be significantly bioconcentrated in aquatic organisms. Other studies sugggest that the high vapor pressure anti rapid volatizatian from water precludes biocon centration. except in large releases.*2 and estimation of the median threshold limit (TLm) for aquatic species. Regulatory staras Vinyl choride is an IARC and E?A carcinogen. However. OSHA does list permissible exposure levels (PELs). which are presented in Table 2. Risk assessment: The EPA4* esti mated that the unit risk factor is 6.6 x PC .1331 TOXICOLOGY UPDATE 305 10~5 ppb. The EPA estimates risk based on vinyl chloride (jig l-1) inges tion as follows: Risk 10-5 io- 10~7 2 1 of water 20 2.0 0.2 6.5 g of fish 5246 525 52-5 Ain Vinyl chloride has been classified as a hazardous air pollutant by the E?A pursuant to section 112 of the Clean Air Act (Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section J01.15; 40 CFR 61.01; 7/1/88). Vinyl doride con centration in exhaust from vinyl chloride manufacturing or purification plants is not to exceed 10 ppm (40 CFR 61,65 (a); 7/1/89). unreasonable excess cancer risks. If indoor vinyl chloride levels exceed 0.2 ppbv, permanent action should be taken to reduce them to beiow this level. 0.2-10 ppbvtln the event that indoor 'vinyl,chloride levels are found within this range permanent remedial action should be taken to bring levels below 0.2 ppbv. This action should be insti tuted and its effectiveness confirmed within 60 days. 10-100 ppbvtln the event that indoor vinyl chloride levels are found within this range, temporary corrective action should be taken to bring levels below 10 ppbv. This temporary action should then be followed by permanent remedial action as specified for the 0.2-10 ppbv range. Temporary action should be instituted and its effectiveness con firmed within 12 days.36 Water: Vinyl chloride has been desig nated a toxic water pollutant by the EPA under section 307(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act (40 CFR m.lS; 7/1/ 88). Under the Safe Drinking Water Act M. D. Easter and R. Von Burg* ICF Kaiser Engineers. 1800 Harrison St. Oakland. CA 94612. USA the EPA has established a maximum concentration limit (MCL) of 2 ppb (0.002 mg l-') (40 CFR 141.61; 7/1/ 88). the acute 1-day health advisory for vinyl chloride ingestion for a 10-kg child References ingesting 1 t of water per day is 3 mg 1. J. Amoore and E. Hautala, Odor as day'*. A concentration of 0.15 ppb an aid to chemical safety: odor thre in drinking water will result in a 10~*6 17 2 3 4 5sholds compared with threshold limit risk for a 70kg adult ingesting 2 1 per day for a lifetime. The California Department of Health Services (DOHS) action MCL is 0.5 ppb. The use of vinyl chloride in ail pestic ide products, as an inert or active ingredient, has been cancelled or sus pended The FDA has also banned the use of vinyi chloride as an aerosol values and volatiles for 214cnemicals in air and water dilution. J. Appl. Toxical. 3. 272-290 (19831. 2. EPA. Health and environmental Effects Profile for Chloroethene. Gndnatti. OH ECAQ-CIN p.155. Environ mental Criteria and Assessment Office, United States Agency, Wash ington,, DC (19851. 3. K. Verschueren Handbook of Environ propellant, and eliminated its use in drug products.** The FDA has also alerted food manufacturers to the need for monitoring packaging material con taining vinyl chloride and has proposed limiting the vinyl chloride monomer in packaging to 5-50 ppm.3 The reportable quantity for vinyl mental Data on Organic Chemicals. 2nd Sdn. pp. 1185-1186. Van Nos trand Reinhold. New York (1983). 4. C.N.. Key chemicals: vinyl chloride. Chem. Eng. News 65 10 (1986). 5. IARC. Monograph on Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals in Humans. Vinyl Chloride, Polyvinyl chloride and Vinyl chtonde-vinyt chloride release is 1 lb/0.454 kg or more acetate Polymers Vol. 19, pp. (54 FR 33419; 3/14/89). Vinyl chloride 377--130. International Agency for is subject to management as a hazardous waste under RCRA regulations and corresponding state regulations once it becomes a waste (40 CFR 261.33). Any residue, or contaminated soil, water or debris containing the released vinyl chloride is also considered hazardous Research an Cancer, Lyons. France (1979). S. N. Sax and R. Lewis. In Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 7th Edn. Vol. Ill, ed. by N. Sax and R. Lewis, pp. 3473-3474. Van Nostrand Reinhold. New York (1989). 7. Senfenatt, M. Natangelo, Davoli waste (40 CFR 261.3(b)). and R. Fanelti. Migration of vinyl The US EPA, Region IX has promul gated a tiered action-level scheme to protect human health surrounding a California landfill. This scheme con sidered very young children, especially neonates, to be unusually sensitive to the carcinogenic action of vinvi chloride. 0.2 ppbv:Long-term in-home exposures chloride into PVC-bottled drinking water assessed by gas chromatograohy-mass spec trometry. food Oiem. Toxicol. 23. 131-134 (1991). 3. ATSDR: Agency for Toxic SuOstances and Disease Registry, Case studies in environmental medicine: vinyl should be below this level in order to provide sufficient protection from * Addressee for correspondence. chloride toxicity, din. Toxicol. 28. 267-236 (1290). 9. HS08: Hazardous Substance Data Bank. Qn-dne computer database. National library of Medicine. Toxi cology Information Program. Wash ington. DC (1923). 10. W. Nicholson. E. Hammond. H. Saidman ana L Seiikoff. Mortality experi ence of a cohort of vinykl chloridepotyvinyl chloride workers. Ann. NY Acad. ScL 248. 225-230 (12751. 11. R. Oster. C. Carr and J. Krantz. Anes thesia XXVU. Narcosis with vinyl ehioride. Anesthesiology 8. 359-361 113471. 12. Mastromameo, A. Fischer, H. Chris tie and H. Oanzjnger, Acute inhalation toxicity ofvinyl chloride to laboratory animals. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 21. 394-338 (1980). 13. EPA Orirudnq Water Criteria Docu ment for Vinyl Chloride. Final Draft NT1S PB86-118320. 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