Hexachloroethane itself does not catch fire easily. Some hexachloroethane can also be formed when chlorine reacts with carbon compounds in drinking water. Hexachloroethane can be released to the environment during its production, use, transport, or disposal. In air, hexachloroethane does not break down to other compounds. Some hexachloroethane that is in lakes or streams and surface soils will evaporate into the air.
Microscopic organisms can break it down more easily without oxygen than with oxygen.
Hexachloroethane does not appear to build up in plants or animals used for food. You can be exposed to it from the air near military installations where smoke pots and grenades that contain hexachloroethane are used during training. If you live near a hazardous waste site, you might be exposed to hexachloroethane by breathing contaminated air, by drinking contaminated water, or by touching contaminated soils. You are not likely to be exposed to hexachloroethane from your food. If you work in an industry that uses hexachloroethane, such as aluminum smelting, you could be exposed by breathing it or touching it.