1,2-Dichloroethene

CAS ID#: 540-59-0, 156-59-2,156-60-5

Affected Organ Systems: Dermal (Skin), Immunological (Immune System), Ocular (Eyes)

Cancer Classification:  Please contact NTP, IARC, or EPA with questions on cancer and cancer classification.

Chemical Classification: Volatile organic compounds

Summary: 1, 2-Dichloroethene, also called 1, 2-dichloroethylene, is a highly flammable, colorless liquid with a sharp, harsh odor. It is used to produce solvents and in chemical mixtures. You can smell very small amounts of 1, 2-dichloroethene in air (about 17 parts of 1, 2-dichloroethene per million parts of air [17 ppm]). There are two forms of 1, 2-dichloroethene; one is called cis-1, 2-dichloroethene and the other is called trans-1,2-di-chloroethene. Sometimes both forms are present as a mixture.

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Page last reviewed: February 10, 2021