Product Stewardship Summary
VINYL CHLORIDECAS Number:
Synonyms:
Chemical Formula:
Molecular Weight:
Chemical
Structure:75-01-4
Vinyl Chloride Monomer, chloroethylene, chloroethene, VC, VCM
C2H3Cl
62.5

Description:

Vinyl Chloride is a colorless gas with a slight, sweetish odor; it is a liquid under pressure
or at reduced temperatures.

Refer to the Safety Data
Sheet (SDS) for additional
information and before
handling this material.

Product Overview
Vinyl Chloride is an organochlorine compound that is a colorless, flammable gas that readily forms a liquid underincreased pressure or at reduced temperatures. It is the precursor to polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is used
extensively in the construction, automotive, and plastics industry. Vinyl Chloride is produced at several Westlake
facilities: Calvert City, Kentucky; Geismar, Louisiana; Plaquemine, Louisiana; and at two locations in Lake Charles,
Louisiana. With over 60 years of responsible production and handling experience, Westlake manufactures Vinyl
Chloride with environmental and public safety consideration. Westlake personnel are experienced in handlingand shipping Vinyl Chloride, and our engineers, scientists, and sales personnel can provide technical assistance todownstream customers.

Production
Westlake produces Vinyl Chloride through thermal cracking of ethylene dichloride. When heated under pressure
in a cracking furnace, ethylene dichloride vapor decomposes to produce Vinyl Chloride and anhydrous hydrogenchloride.
∆

ClCH2CH2Cl → CH2=CHCl + HCl
Thermal cracking is a highly endothermic process, thus temperature and reaction time are carefully controlled.
The resulting mixture is then purified to produce Vinyl Chloride.
Westlake typically supplies Vinyl Chloride without added inhibitor, although inhibited material is available forexport shipments. The use of uninhibited Vinyl Chloride eliminates the need for subsequent processing to remove
the inhibitor, increasing efficiency and saving resources.

Uses
Vinyl Chloride is primarily used as a chemical intermediate and not a final product. The majority of Vinyl Chloride
is polymerized to produce polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or co-polymerized with other monomers to produce specializedpolymers with specific properties. More than half of the total Vinyl Chloride consumption is for constructionrelated products.

Vinyl Chloride

Page 1 of 9

Edition 1

Product Stewardship Summary
Health Effects
Read and follow all instructions on the product label and review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to understand andavoid the hazards associated with Vinyl Chloride. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment and avoid
direct contact. Eye or skin contact with or ingestion of Vinyl Chloride gas or liquefied gas will cause burns, severe
injury and/or frostbite. Skin contact with Vinyl Chloride causes skin irritation. Vinyl Chloride is harmful if
swallowed. Vinyl Chloride may be harmful if inhaled and can cause central nervous system (CNS) depression. In
humans, inhalation of concentrations ranging from 12,000 to 20,000 ppm for 5 minutes may produce slightanesthetic effects, including dizziness, lightheadedness, sleepiness, headaches, and/or nausea. Levels above
20,000 ppm may cause weakness, unconsciousness, and possibly death. Deaths due to narcosis have beenreported in humans.
Vinyl Chloride is a known human carcinogen. Long term overexposure to Vinyl Chloride in humans and laboratory
animals has been known to cause angiosarcoma of the liver. Vinyl Chloride is listed by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program (NTP) as a known human carcinogen, by the International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 1 – carcinogenic to humans, by Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OSHA) as a specifically regulated carcinogen, by the American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists® (ACGIH) as an A1 – confirmed human carcinogen, and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency as a Group A - human carcinogen.
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Conference ofGovernmental Industrial Hygienists® (ACGIH) have established or recommended occupational airborne exposure
limits for Vinyl Chloride. The OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of
1 ppm. OSHA’s limits also include a short term exposure limit, or STEL, of 5 ppm for 15 minutes (see 29 CFR
1910.1017). The ACGIH currently recommends a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 1 ppm for an 8-hour TWA.
OSHA requires a program of initial monitoring to determine if there is any employee exposed to Vinyl Chloride,
without regard to the use of respirators, in excess of the action level. The action level for Vinyl Chloride, per 29
CFR 1910.1017, means a concentration of 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work day. If initial monitoring shows
employee exposures are in excess of the action level, a program for periodic monitoring to determine exposuresfor each such employee shall be established. Details of the monitoring requirements may be found at 29 CFR
1910.1017 (d)(2).
Before handling, it is important that engineering controls are operating and protective equipment requirements
and personal hygiene measures are being followed. People working with this chemical should be properly trained
regarding its hazards and its safe use and should be given the opportunity to review this document and the safety
data sheet. OSHA has published a comprehensive proposal to protect employees from hazards of exposure to
Vinyl Chloride, specifically the Vinyl Chloride standard (29 CFR 1910.1017), which should be read and understoodprior to handling this chemical.

Environmental Effects
Vinyl Chloride should be kept out of lakes, streams, ponds, or other water sources. Vinyl Chloride shows a low
bioaccumulation potential.

Exposure Potential
Vinyl Chloride is used in the production of PVC which is then used to manufacture a number of industrial andconsumer products. Since Vinyl Chloride is volatile and a demonstrated carcinogen, precautions should be taken

Vinyl Chloride

Page 2 of 9

Edition 1

Product Stewardship Summary
to minimize potential harm to people, animals and the environment. Potential for exposure may vary depending
upon site-specific conditions. When handling Vinyl Chloride, refer to the Safety Data Sheet and Product Warning
Label and follow all instructions and warnings. Based on the expected uses for Vinyl Chloride, exposure could bethrough:
Workplace exposure - Exposure could occur in a Vinyl Chloride manufacturing facility or in the various
industrial facilities that use Vinyl Chloride. Vinyl Chloride is handled in closed systems, so special
precautions are typically required for employees involved in maintenance activities, sample collection, or
similar activities. Good industrial hygiene practices and the use of personal protective equipment will,when combined with proper training and environment, health and safety practices, contribute to a safe
work environment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains standard 29
CFR 1910.1017 which contains requirements for the control of employee exposure to Vinyl Chloride
including personal protective equipment, medical surveillance, and training.
Environmental releases – In the event of a release, prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or
confined areas. Industrial releases should be controlled by workplace spill programs which include
containment around loading and unloading operations and storage tanks and employee training. Many
aspects of a spill control program are mandated by federal, state and local requirements. In addition, if arelease occurs, governmental reporting may be required. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet for instructions
to contain and clean up a spill to minimize exposure.
Consumer exposure – Westlake does not sell Vinyl Chloride directly to consumers, so direct consumer
contact with this product is unlikely. The majority of Westlake’s Vinyl Chloride is polymerized to produce
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or co-polymerized with other monomers to produce specialized polymers withspecific properties for other industrial markets. However it is an ingredient in some consumer products
manufactured by our customers or their downstream customers. Westlake cannot and does not makeany representation or conclusion about consumer exposure risks associated with its customers’ products.
In any case, keep all chemical products out of the reach of children.

Safe Handling and Storage
Vinyl Chloride is an extremely volatile and flammable gas, vapor, or liquefied gas. It should be stored away fromdirect sunlight in a dry, cool and well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials. Vinyl Chloride vapor
concentrations between 3.6% and 33% by volume in air are explosive by ignition. When exposed to open flames,
open electrical elements, or electrical arcs, Vinyl Chloride liquid or vapor can decompose to form toxic andcorrosive fumes. Depending on conditions, when Vinyl Chloride is exposed to high temperatures, heat, or ignition,hydrogen chloride gas, which is highly irritating to the nose and throat, as well as trace levels of phosgene gas,
may be produced. As a result, all heat and ignition sources should be eliminated during handling and storage. Fireand explosion hazards can be minimized by adequate ventilation, using the proper types and arrangement ofequipment, and taking reasonable precautions and care in handling. All metal parts of equipment must be
grounded to avoid ignition of vapors by static electricity discharge.
The following materials are incompatible with Vinyl Chloride, and contact can result in strong exothermic
reactions: oxygen, moisture, polymerization additives, copper, aluminum, oxidizing agents, strong alkalis, andstrong acids.
During Vinyl Chloride transfer operations, all equipment, including unloading pumps, must be properly grounded
and bonded to prevent the buildup of static electricity. If tank car valves are defective or leaking, do not unload.
Air should never be permitted to enter Vinyl Chloride tank cars or other containers during or after unloading.

Vinyl Chloride

Page 3 of 9

Edition 1

Product Stewardship Summary
Close and seal all openings. Leave at least 10 psig of Vinyl Chloride vapor pressure or nitrogen pressure in an
empty tank car being returned, depending on the vinyl tank car unloading system setup.
Appropriate personal protective equipment, as described in the Vinyl Chloride Safety Data Sheet, should always
be worn to avoid contact with the eyes, skin and clothing or to prevent the inhalation of the gas.

Packaging and Shipping
Westlake ships Vinyl Chloride in rail tank cars and ships.
Tank car - Westlake maintains a fleet of tank cars reserved for Vinyl Chloride service only. All cars areequipped for top unloading. Single compartment rail cars are available with nominal capacities of 170M
to 180M pounds, net weight.
Ships - Westlake ships Vinyl Chloride in refrigerated ocean going vessels with a capacity of several million
pounds.

Fire and Explosion Hazards
Vinyl Chloride is highly flammable. Since vapors are heavier than air, they will spread along the ground and may
accumulate in low or confined areas or travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back.
During a fire, promptly isolate the scene by removing all persons from the vicinity of the incident. No other action
shall be taken without suitable training. Fire-fighters should wear appropriate protective equipment and selfcontained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a full face-piece operated in positive pressure mode. Fire watercontaminated with this material must be contained and prevented from being discharged to any waterway, sewer
or drain.

Physical and Chemical Properties
Vinyl Chloride is extremely flammable and is a colorless gas at ambient temperatures and pressures. Underpressure or reduced temperatures, Vinyl Chloride is a liquid. Vinyl Chloride can be an explosion hazard atconcentrations from approximately 3.6 percent to 33 percent Vinyl Chloride in air. Direct contact with open
flames or a high energy heat source will result in combustion. Vinyl Chloride is practically insoluble in water.
Vinyl Chloride is highly reactive and can react with oxidizing agents and many other organic compounds. Vinyl
Chloride polymerizes exothermically in the presence of light, air, oxygen, or catalysts. Inhibitors are often added
to Vinyl Chloride to prevent polymerization during storage.
Properties of Vinyl Chloride

Vinyl Chloride

Boiling Point

7°F (-13.4°C)

Freezing Point-245°F (-153.8°C)

Auto-ignition temperature

882°F (472°C)

Flash Point, tag open cup-108°F (-77.8°C)

Vapor Pressure at 20°°C

2580 mm Hg

Specific Gravity of Vapor (air = 1)

2.15

Specific Gravity of Liquid (water = 1)

0.91

Page 4 of 9

Edition 1

Product Stewardship Summary
Regulatory Information
The following regulatory information is provided as a supplement to the information already included on the
Vinyl Chloride safety data sheet.
North American Regulatory Information
CONEG Regulation/Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation - Lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalentchromium are not intentionally added to Vinyl Chloride, and based on the formula and Westlake’s
experience with the product, the sum of the incidental concentration levels of these metals is notexpected to exceed 100 parts per million (ppm) by weight.
RCRA - Commercial grade Vinyl Chloride, if discarded or spilled, would be a listed hazardous waste
under 40 CFR 261.33, specifically U043 - Vinyl Chloride CAS 75-01-4. In addition, Vinyl Chloride, if
discarded or spilled, as well as other wastes generated during use of Vinyl Chloride or containing Vinyl
Chloride may exhibit one or more hazardous waste characteristics under 40 CFR 261.24, including
D001 - ignitable and D043 - toxic. (Note: Westlake provides information on U.S. hazardous waste
criteria for the product as manufactured. It remains the obligation of the user to evaluate their specificwaste and to manage, treat, and dispose of unused material, residues, and containers in accordancewith applicable federal, state, and local requirements.)
VOC Information - Vinyl Chloride is a volatile organic compound (VOC) as defined in 40 CFR 51.100.
HAP Information - Vinyl Chloride is a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) as listed in the Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1990, 42 USC 7412 (b).
Ozone-Depleting Chemicals - Vinyl Chloride is not/does not contain ozone depleting chemicals (40CFR 82, Subpart A, Appendix F).
Toxic Pollutants / Priority Pollutants - Vinyl Chloride is classified as a toxic pollutant under 40 CFR
401.15 and as a priority pollutant under 40 CFR 423 Appendix A.
CERCLA Hazardous Substance - Vinyl Chloride appears in the List of Hazardous Substances andReportable Quantities table (40 CFR 302.4) with a reportable quantity (RQ) of 1 pound (0.454 Kg).
TSCA Information - All of the components of Vinyl Chloride are listed on the TSCA inventory as active
under TSCA Section 8(b). Vinyl Chloride is not currently subject to any rule or order under TSCA
Sections 4, 5(a), 5(e), 6(a), 7, or 12(b)California Proposition 65 - Vinyl Chloride is a chemical known to the State of California to cause
cancer.
Washington State Children’s Safe Product Act (CSPA) - Vinyl Chloride is listed under the Children’s
Safe Product Act (CSPA, 70.240).
U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Vinyl Chloride is not listed as a chemical Generally Recognized
as Safe (GRAS) and has not been manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices (21 CFR 110).
Canada DSL/NDSL Inventory - All components of Vinyl Chloride are listed on the Canadian Domestic
Substances List (DSL); no components are listed on the Non-Domestic Substances List.
European Regulatory Information
RoHS/WEEE - Vinyl Chloride has been reviewed with regard to the EU Directive 2011/65/EU“Restriction on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances” (RoHS 2). Based on our knowledge of thisproduct and information on the raw material suppliers’ Safety Data Sheets, this product does notcontain cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, mercury, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) or
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) at levels greater than the tolerated maximum concentration
values established by the directive.

Vinyl Chloride

Page 5 of 9

Edition 1

Product Stewardship Summary
Europe REACH - Vinyl Chloride is considered a substance under REACH. Vinyl Chloride does notcontain Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) as published in accordance with Article 59(10) of the
REACH Regulation as of July 2017, nor does this product contain any substances on Annex XIV(Authorisation List). Vinyl Chloride has been registered in accordance to the REACH regulations.
Westlake’s customers importing Westlake’s Vinyl Chloride may be covered by agreement underWestlake’s REACH registration if requirements and uses are reviewed and approved by Westlake.
EU Food Additive – Vinyl Chloride is not authorized for use as a food additive under EC No. 1333/2008.
Asia-Pacific Regulatory Information
Australia Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS) - All components of Vinyl Chloride are listed orcompliant with the Australia Inventory of Chemical Substances.
China Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (IECSC) - All components of Vinyl Chloride are listed
or compliant with the China Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances.
Japanese Existing and New Chemicals Inventory (ENCS) - All components of Vinyl Chloride are listed
or compliant with the Japanese Existing and New Chemicals Inventory.
Korean Existing Chemicals Inventory (KECI) - All components of Vinyl Chloride are listed or compliant
with the Korean Existing Chemicals Inventory.
New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals (NZIoC) - All components of Vinyl Chloride are listed orcompliant with the New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals.
Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances (PICCS) - All components of Vinyl
Chloride are listed or compliant with the Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances.
Taiwan Existing Chemical Notification List - All components of Vinyl Chloride are listed or compliant
with the Taiwan Existing Chemical Notification List.
Turkey Chemical Inventory - All components of Vinyl Chloride are listed or compliant with the Turkey
Chemical Inventory.

Product Certifications and Listings
Kosher Certification - Vinyl Chloride is not Kosher Certified. However Vinyl Chloride, including theequipment used in its manufacture, does not come into contact with or contain any animal by-products,
animal fats, or animal products, nor does it contain chemical additives that are organic in nature.
Halal Certification - Vinyl Chloride is not Halal certified. However, Vinyl Chloride does not containnatural L-cysteine extracted from hair or feathers, animal fats and/or extracts, blood of any origin, bloodplasma, pork, or other meat byproducts.
ISO 9001 Certification – The following Vinyl Chloride manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001 certified:
Calvert City, KY.

Vinyl Chloride

Page 6 of 9

Edition 1

Product Stewardship Summary
Additional Product Information
Source - Vinyl Chloride is derived from mineral and petroleum sources and has not been derived fromplant, animal, synthetic or fermentation sources.
Allergenic Materials – The following are not used in the manufacture of Vinyl Chloride:
Potential Allergen
Bee Products & Derivatives
Buckwheat Products & Derivatives
Celery Products & Derivatives
Cocoa Products & Derivatives
Coconut Products & Derivatives
Crustacean Products & Derivatives
Dairy Products & Derivatives

Egg Products & Derivatives
Fish Products & Derivatives
Fruit Products & Derivatives
Grain Products & Derivatives
Cinnamon Products & Derivatives
Legume Products & Derivatives
Carob
Lentilslicorice
locust bean gum
Peas
Lupin Products & Derivatives
Meat Products & Derivatives
Mollusk Products & Derivatives
Mushroom Products & Derivatives
Mustard Products & Derivatives
Peanut Products & Derivatives
Plant Nuts/Seeds/Oils
Potato Products & Derivatives
Seed Products & Derivatives
Protein Hydrolysates, Soybean
Products & Derivatives
SpicesSulfates/Sulfites & Derivatives
Tree Nut Products & Derivatives

Includinghoney, pollen, propolis, royal jelly
celery seeds

crab, crayfish, lobster, shrimp/prawn
cow’s milk/cream, goat’s milk/cream, powdered milk, butter/butter
solids, butterfat, buttermilk, milk fat, casein, whey, curds, custard,
cheese, yogurt, lactalbumin, lactoglobulin, lactose
albumin, egg whites, egg yolks, eggnog, ova albumin, ovomucoid,
powdered eggs, mayonnaise, meringue
abalone, anchovy, bass, cod, flounder, herring, mackerel, pollock,salmon roe, sardine, tuna, whitefish
apple, apricot, banana, cherry, grapefruit, kiwi, orange, peach, plum,tomatowheat, rice, rye, oats, barley, spelt, kamut
alfalfa, beans (green, kidney, lima, navy, wax)

beef, chicken, pork
abalone, clam, cuttlefish, mussel, octopus, oysters, periwinkle, sassia
scallops, snail, squid, whelk
matsutakepeanut butter, peanut meal, peanut protein, peanut flour
safflower, canolacotton, poppy, sesame, sunflower
soy, miso, tofu, bean cured, edamame, isolated soy protein, hydrolyzed
soy protein, textured soy protein, soy milk, soy sauce, soy nuts, soyflour, soy lecithin
sulfur dioxide, sodium metabisulfites, sodium bisulfite
almonds, brazil nut, cashew, chestnut, filberts, hazelnut, hickory,
macadamia, pecans, pine nuts, pistachio, queensland nut, walnuts

Yam Products & Derivatives

Vinyl Chloride

Page 7 of 9

Edition 1

Product Stewardship Summary
Additives/Preservatives/Flavorings - The following are not used by Westlake facilities in the
manufacture of Vinyl Chloride:
AdipateArtificial Colors/Color Additives
Benzopyrene
BPA (Bisphenol A)
Caramel Color
Chloramphenicol
DEHP
Diacetyl
Diethylene Glycol
DioxinDiphenylamine
DMAA
Dyes/Food Dyes

Ethylene Oxide
Free Glutamate
GelatinHormones
IodineJatropha Plant
Lactose
LatexMaleic Acid
Melamine
MSG
Palm OilParabens

PAH
Phosphates
Phthalates
Potassium Bromate
Psyllium
Sodium Benzoate
Sorbic Acid
StarchSudan Red
Titanium Dioxide
4-Methylimidazole

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy - Vinyl Chloride is not of animal origin, and, to Westlake’s knowledge,
does not contribute to Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE)/Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy (BSE).
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) - Vinyl Chloride is not manufactured with and does not containgenetically modified organisms.
Natural Latex Rubber - Vinyl Chloride is not manufactured with and does not contain natural latex rubber
as defined in 21 CFR 801.437(b)(1).
Nutritional Value - Vinyl Chloride does not have nutritional value.
Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs) - Vinyl Chloride is not manufactured with and does not contain
Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs).

Vinyl Chloride

Page 8 of 9

Edition 1

Product Stewardship Summary
Product Stewardship
Westlake Chemical is committed to managing Vinyl Chloride so that it can be safely used by its employees andcustomers. Westlake’s relationships with its customers encourage communication about safety andenvironmental stewardship.

Additional Information
For more information regarding Westlake’s Vinyl Chloride, contact our customer service department by calling(713) 960-9111.

References
Westlake Chemical website: www.westlake.com

NoticePrior to its use, the user is responsible for determining the suitability of the product or products covered by this
Product Stewardship Summary and for complying with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations inconnection with its use. Neither Westlake Corporation nor any of its affiliates shall be responsible for any damagesof any kind whatsoever resulting from the use of or reliance on this Product Stewardship Summary or product or
products to which it refers.
This Product Stewardship Summary is intended only to provide a general summary of the potential hazards
associated with the product or products described herein. It is not intended to provide detailed information about
potential health effects and safe use and handling information and, although Westlake Corporation believes thisinformation is correct, Westlake Corporation makes no warranties as to its completeness or accuracy. Appropriate
literature has been assembled which provides information concerning the health and safety precautions that must
be observed when handling the Westlake Corporation product(s) mentioned in this document. Before working
with any of these products, users must read and become familiar with the available information on producthazards, proper use, and handling. Information is available in several forms, such as safety data sheets (SDS) andproduct labels. A copy of Westlake’s SDS for Vinyl Chloride can be obtained by going to the company’s website
www.westlake.com.
This information is subject to change without notice.
Issue Date: May 2018

Vinyl Chloride

Page 9 of 9

Edition 1