Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.
The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.
Use of this information is subject to copyright laws and may require the permission of the owner of the information, as described in the ECHA Legal Notice.
EC number: 212-377-0 | CAS number: 811-97-2
Specific investigations: other studies
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
Early studies on the toxicity of certain hydrocarbons, especially anaesthetics, showed that they could render the mammalian heart abnormally reactive or sensitive to adrenaline (epinephrine) resulting in cardiac arrhythmias. 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC 134a) has been investigated for this effect in beagle dogs and no effect concentrations demonstrated at 40000ppm and 50000ppm in two studies. HFC 134a has a low narcotic potential being able to induce anaesthesia at only very high concentrations.
Additional information
Male Beagle dogs were exposed to nominal HFC-134a concentrations of 50,000, 75,000 or 100,000 ppm (208,000, 313,000, 417,000 mg/m3) and given a bolus injection of 8 µl/kgbw epinephrine. Two of 10 dogs exposed to 75,000 ppm and 2 of 4 dogs exposed to 100,000 ppm exhibited a marked response (multiple extrasystoles). One dog exposed to 100,000 ppm developed ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest. None of the 10 dogs exposed to 50,000 ppm HFC-134a exhibited a cardiac sensitisation response (Mullin 1979).
In another study in Beagle dogs, the cardiac sensitisation potential of HFC-134a was evaluated at concentrations of 40,000, 80,000, 160,000 or 320,000 ppm (167,000, 334,000, 667,000, 1,330,000 mg/m3) until equilibrium concentrations in the blood were established (approximately after 5 minutes of exposure). At that time, the dogs were given an intravenous injection of adrenaline (8 µg/kg) and monitored for cardiac arrhythmias. Three of 10 dogs exposed to 80,000 ppm developed cardiac arrhythmias, as did 4 out of 10 dogs exposed to 160,000 ppm and 3 out of 4 dogs exposured to 320,000 ppm. Concentrations of 40,000 ppm HFC-134a were tolerated without any signs of cardiac arrhythmias. The reference compound in this study, CFC-12 (dichlorodifluoroethane), showed a comparable cardiac senstisation potential (Hardy et al 1991). HFC 134a has a low narcotic potential being able to induce anaesthesia at only very high concentrations (> 500000ppm) (Shulman & Sandove, 1967).
Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.
Reproduction or further distribution of this information may be subject to copyright protection. Use of the information without obtaining the permission from the owner(s) of the respective information might violate the rights of the owner.
