Pollutant Fact Sheet Page 1 of 1

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Benzyl chloride

Chloromethylbenzene, Alpha-chlorotoluene

SPRI Emission Reporting Threshold

10.0 Kg/yr Pollutant Emissions to Air

Disclaimer
This sheet is a generic summary, designed to give the reader a basic level of background information about the substance in question.
Great care has been taken to represent as effectively and correctly as possible the broad range of (not necessarily consistent)
information which is available from a variety of sources. The reader must accept therefore that this sheet has no legal status and
cannot be relied upon in any legal proceedings. SEPA disclaims any responsibility or liability whatsoever for errors and omissions in this
sheet.

What is it?
Pure Benzyl chloride is a colourless to pale yellow liquid, which has a strong, unpleasant smell. The pure form is unstable: it produces
toxic fumes when exposed to water or moisture in the air, it burns easily and it also readily reacts with itself to produce plastics
(inhibiting agents are often added to prevent this). Benzyl chloride is one of a group of chemicals known as the volatile organic
compounds (VOCs).

What is it used for?

Benzyl chloride is used mainly in the chemical industry to produce pharmaceuticals, perfumes, dyes, artificial resins and photographic
chemicals. In the past, it was used as an irritant gas in warfare.

Where does it come from?

Releases of Benzyl chloride occur from industry producing or using it and from the incineration of products containing it. It is also
released from floor tiles which contain butyl benzyl phthalate. Small amounts may be released from natural forest fires.

How might it affect the environment?

Normal environmental concentrations of Benzyl chloride are unlikely to cause significant environmental damage. High concentrations
resulting from an accidental spill may however harm wildlife. Benzyl chloride does not persist in the environment. In air, it reacts
quickly with other substances and so is generally removed within a few days. In water, it will be broken down within a few weeks. It
also breaks down fairly quickly in soils and so there is little leaching to groundwaters. As a VOC, Benzyl chloride can also be involved in
the formation of ground level ozone which can cause damage to crops and materials. It is not considered likely that Benzyl chloride
pollution has any effects on the global environment.

How might exposure to it affect human health?

Benzyl chloride can enter the body either by inhalation of air containing benzyl chloride vapours, ingestion of contaminated water, or
by dermal contact with benzyl chloride. Inhalation of air containing elevated levels of benzyl chloride may cause severe irritation of the
respiratory tract, breathing difficulties, burns, lung damage, accumulation of fluid and swelling of the lungs (pulmonary edema) and in
extreme cases coma and death. Exposure to high levels of benzyl chloride can also affect the central nervous system with symptoms
including dizziness, headache, and fatigue. Ingestion of benzyl chloride may result in mouth burns and damage to the digestive tract,
nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea. Ingestion of high levels of benzyl chloride may affect the central nervous system
with symptoms similar to those for inhalation. Dermal contact with benzyl chloride over long periods of time can cause skin irritation
and dermatitis. Contact with the eyes may result in permanent eye damage. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has not
designated benzyl chloride in terms of its carcinogenicity, however in combination, (-chlorinated toluenes and benzoyl chloride are
probable carcinogens. Exposure to benzyl chloride at normal background levels is unlikely to have any adverse effect on human health.

What steps are being taken to limit the potential impacts?

Releases of Benzyl chloride are controlled through the UK Pollution, Prevention and Control (PPC) Regulations. Internationally, it is
listed as a candidate substance for inclusion in the OSPAR Convention which protects the marine environment of the north-east Atlantic
Ocean.

Data Reuse Conditions

http://apps.sepa.org.uk/spripa/Pages/SubstanceInformation.aspx?pid=24 06-Jul-17