Chemical name: Methane, oxybis[chloro-

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Industrial

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

Bis(2-chloromethyl)ether and mixtures containing 0.1% or more of bis(2-chloroethyl)ether are banned for manufacture, import and use as an industrial chemical. No remaining uses are allowed, except for the use mentioned below.

Use or uses that remain allowed:

Use of the chemical for research or laboratory purposes is allowed.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

Bis (2-chloromethyl)ether and mixtures containing 0.1% or more of bis (2-chloroethyl)ether are banned for manufacture, import and use as an industrial chemical. No remaining uses are allowed.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

Bis (chloromethyl) ether is a carcinogen to humans (IARC Group 1) causing lung and possibly laryngeal cancer in chronically exposed workers. In rats and mice exposed to teh chemical, tumours were observed in sense organs, lungs and thorax.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

It is expected that the regulatory action will significantly reduce the potential risk of carcinogenic effect to workers involved in the polymer manufacturing industry and the public using the polymer products.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 13/11/2003

Bis (2-chloromethyl) ether was banned for manufacture, use and import by MOE's public notice no 1996-75 (1 June 1996). Final amended notice which also designated the mixture containing 0.1% of bis(chloromethyl) ether as banned chemical took into force on 13 November 2003.