What Is 1, 2-dichloroethane

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Last updated: April 11, 2026

Quick Answer: 1,2-Dichloroethane (also called ethylene dichloride) is a colorless, oily industrial chemical with the formula C₂H₄Cl₂, primarily used in producing vinyl chloride for PVC plastics. Between 2016-2019, the United States produced or imported 30-40 billion pounds annually, with 90% used in vinyl chloride manufacturing. The EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen with significant health and environmental risks including liver/kidney damage and persistent groundwater contamination.

Key Facts

US production/imports 30-40 billion pounds annually (2016-2019), with 90% used for vinyl chloride production
EPA classified as Group B2 probable human carcinogen; repeated exposure causes liver, kidney, and neurological disorders
Detected in 53 of 204 surface-water samples near industrialized US areas; groundwater contamination up to 400 μg/L
Can persist in anoxic aquifers for approximately 50 years with half-life measured in decades
First major industrial application began in 1920s-1930s; remains critical feedstock for global PVC industry worth billions annually

Overview

1,2-Dichloroethane (also known as ethylene dichloride or 1,2-DCA) is a colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform-like odor and the chemical formula C₂H₄Cl₂. This industrial chemical is slightly soluble in water but highly soluble in most organic solvents, making it useful across numerous industrial applications. Its high vapor pressure means it readily evaporates into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution concerns.

As one of the most widely produced industrial chemicals globally, 1,2-dichloroethane plays a critical role in modern manufacturing. The United States alone produces or imports between 30 and 40 billion pounds annually, with the vast majority used in downstream chemical synthesis. Its discovery and industrial application date back over a century, yet its production and use continue to raise significant health and environmental concerns that regulators worldwide continue to monitor.

How It Works

1,2-Dichloroethane functions as a chemical intermediate and solvent through several primary mechanisms and applications:

Vinyl Chloride Production: Approximately 90% of industrial 1,2-dichloroethane is used as a feedstock to produce vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), which is then polymerized into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for pipes, flexible sheeting, and consumer products worth billions annually.
Chemical Intermediate: Serves as a building block reagent in synthesizing diverse organic compounds including ethylenediamine and higher ethyleneamines, which are used in pesticides, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.
Industrial Solvent: Functions as a solvent, degreaser, and extraction agent in closed-system organic synthesis, rubber and plastics manufacturing, and precision cleaning applications where its solvency properties prove superior to water-based alternatives.
Wetting and Penetrating Agent: Used as an additive in formulations requiring superior surface-wetting properties and penetration capabilities in various industrial coating and textile applications.

Key Comparisons

Property	1,2-Dichloroethane	Comparable Alternatives
Primary Use	Vinyl chloride synthesis (90% of production)	Other chlorinated solvents (tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene)
Health Classification	Group B2 probable human carcinogen (EPA)	Many industrial solvents less regulated or unclassified
Environmental Persistence	50-year half-life in anoxic aquifers; remains years in air	Some volatile compounds degrade in 5-10 months
Water Solubility	Slightly soluble (~8.7 g/L); high volatility	More water-soluble alternatives available for some uses
Production Volume	30-40 billion pounds/year (US 2016-2019)	Lower-volume specialty solvents like n-propyl bromide

Why It Matters

Health Risk: EPA preliminary determinations identify unreasonable inhalation and dermal risks to workers; repeated exposures cause anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain, liver/kidney dysfunction, and neurological disorders. Animal studies show decreased fertility and increased embryo mortality.
Environmental Contamination: Detected in 53 of 204 surface-water samples near US industrial areas; groundwater contamination ranges from trace amounts to 400 μg/L, and drinking water samples from urban and rural US locations show contamination up to 4.8 μg/L in surface water.
Atmospheric Impact: With a lifespan exceeding 5 months in air before photochemical degradation, 1,2-dichloroethane contributes to regional air pollution from industrial facilities and manufacturing sites globally.
Economic Significance: The massive 30-40 billion pound annual production in the US alone demonstrates its essential role in PVC manufacturing, a multi-billion-dollar global industry supplying critical infrastructure materials.

1,2-Dichloroethane represents a significant case study in industrial chemical risk management. While its role in producing vinyl chloride for PVC remains economically irreplaceable in current manufacturing systems, its probable carcinogenicity and persistent environmental contamination underscore the challenges of balancing industrial production with public health protection. Regulatory agencies including the EPA continue evaluating exposure limits and risk mitigation strategies. Workers in chemical manufacturing and vinyl chloride production facilities require strict occupational exposure controls. For the general public, contaminated groundwater in industrialized regions presents the primary exposure risk, necessitating continued water quality monitoring and remediation efforts using advanced bioremediation technologies.