1,2-dichloroethane
1,2-Dichloroethane is primarily being used in the production of vinyl chloride. It is a carcinogenic substance that directly interacts with the DNA. The target risk level is 4 extra cancer cases due to occupational exposure per 100,000 deaths in the general population. The prohibitive risk level is 4 per 1,000. The Dutch Expert Committee on Occupational Safety (DECOS) estimates the concentrations of a substance in the air that corresponds to these risk levels. The Committee estimates the concentrations of 1,2-dichloroethane in the air equal to 0.126 milligram (mg)/per cubic metre air (m3) and 12.6 mg/m3, corresponding to the target and prohibitive risk levels respectively. The Committee recommends to take into account that 1,2-dichloroethane is absorbed by the skin relatively well, and can thereby contribute substantially to the total internal exposure.