Fifty-four abstracts of papers that discuss the physical properties, chemical reactions, and toxicity of vinylidene chloride (VDC) are presented. An overview summarizes data on the effects of acute and chronic exposures of rats by inhalation or ingestion, mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium, and skin and eye irritation and neurological symptoms in man following exposures to VDC. Hazards from explosions when VDC is handled or stored in the presence of air are pointed out.