1,1-Dichloroethylene

1,1-Dichloroethylene is Kwon by 1,1-dichloroethylene or vinylidene chloride or 1,1-DCE, and its molecular formula is C2H2Cl2.
It’s not very soluble in water, like the other chlorocarbons, but it has a solubility in organic solvents. It is an industrial compound, it’s not found in nature, it is classified as a Volatile Organic Compound.
It is a chemical made by industries, and it has no color and a strong yet sweet odor, its found in the liquid form.

The most used name of 1 1 dichloroethane and the most used for abbreviation is 1-1 DCE. The molecule is known by c2h2cl2.

It is mainly used for making some types of plastic like flexible films, food wrap, and packaging materials. It can be used to make flame retardant coatings for fiber and carpet backs, coating for steel pipes and adhesive applications.

This volatile liquid is formed by the hydrolysis of 1,1,1-trichloroethane and is moderately soluble in water.

When in too much exposure a person can have problems such as developmental problems (effects during periods when organs are developing), Hepatic (Liver), Neurological (Nervous System), Renal (Urinary System or Kidneys), Respiratory (From the Nose to the Lungs). Because of these possible complications, the USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) set the Padron for 1,1-DCE at 7ppb, because they believe that this amount won’t cause any of the problems listed above. They also consider the ability of the public water system to detect and remove some contaminants, including 1-1 DCE. In researches with animals, the high exposure of 1-1 DCE can cause malignant kidney tumors in rats and malignant mammary and leukemia in mice. On people, it can cause potential liver and kidney damage, even if exposed for short periods to higher levels than 7ppb.

Like we mentioned before, this chemical compound is used to make plastic, and tons per year are produced. The compound gets to the environment through evaporation or in wastewater.

It can be detected using some electrolytic conductive detector.
The USEPA asks from the water suppliers to analyze water from 3 to 3 months, and if the level of 1,1 DCE is higher than 0,5ppb, they must reduce the amount of it by treating the water.