Product Safety Assessment

Trichloroethylene
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Names
Product Overview
Manufacture of Product
Product Description
Product Uses
Exposure Potential
Health Information
Environmental Information
Physical Hazard Information
Regulatory Information
Additional Information
References

Names
 CAS No. 79-01-6  Tri
 Trichloroethylene  Trichlor
 1,1,2-trichloroethylene  Tric
 Ethylene Trichloride  HI-TRI* Solvent
 Trichloroethene  HI-TRI SMG Solvent
 Ethinyl trichloride  NEU-TRI* Solvent
 Acetylene trichloride  NEU-TRI E Solvent
 TCE  NEU-TRI L Solvent

Product Overview
 Trichloroethylene is a nonflammable, colorless liquid with a sweet odor.1 See Product
Description.
 Trichloroethylene is used mainly as a solvent to remove grease from metal parts. It is also
1
used as a general solvent and as an intermediate to make other chemicals. See Product
Uses.
 Persons working with trichloroethylene should be provided with and instructed in the use of
appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment, as required. Adequate ventilation
should be provided in the workplace to minimize the possibility of inhalation, which may be
hazardous. See Exposure Potential.
 Trichloroethylene is moderately toxic if swallowed. Due to trichloroethylene’s volatility,
inhalation is the principal route of exposure. The initial effects of excessive inhalation
exposure are dizziness, loss of coordination, sleepiness and symptoms of anesthesia.
Excessive exposure may cause systemic injury or even death. The National Toxicology
Program (NTP) has classified trichloroethylene as “reasonably anticipated to be a human
carcinogen” and in 2013 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) changed
2,3
the classification from “probably carcinogenic to humans” to “carcinogenic to humans See
Health Information.
 Because trichloroethylene evaporates easily, if it is released to the environment during
production and use, most of it eventually reaches the air. Trichloroethylene that reaches
groundwater may be difficult to remediate. Trichloroethylene is moderately toxic to aquatic
organisms and does not bioaccumulate. See Environmental Information.

®TM
*Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

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Product Safety Assessment: Trichloroethylene

 Trichloroethylene may thermally decompose upon exposure to open flames or hot surfaces.
Involvement of trichloroethylene in a fire can result in the formation of toxic gases, including
2
hydrogen chloride, chlorine, and phosgene. See Physical Hazard Information.

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Manufacture of Product
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 Capacity – Dow is one of two companies that produce trichloroethylene in the United States.
Dow produces trichloroethylene in Freeport, Texas. In 20 2011,, global consumption of
trichloroethylene was 429,5 500 metric tons (947 million pounds) versus global production
capacity of 547,000
,000 metric tons (1,
(1,206 million pounds).
1,5
 Process – Dow produces trichloroethylene by a direct chlorination process, in which
ethylene dichloride or other CC2 chlorinated hydrocarbons are reacted with chlorine to form
trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene
tetrachloroethylene,, which are then separated by distillation.
distillation The
“TRI/PER” process uses the light fractions of the residues from the manufacture of vinyl
chloride as its major raw material.

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Product Description
Trichloroethylene
thylene is a clear, heavy liquid with excellent solvency. Trichloroethylene has no flash
point as determined by standard test methods. Its stability in the presence of common chemical
stabilizers and low boiling point permit vapor degreasing with low heat input. Easily recycled, the
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solvent combines outstanding cleaning power with greater economy.

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Uses for Trichloroethylene7
Product Uses7,8,9
Trichloroethylene is an excellent Other
solvent
lvent for greases, oils, fats, w
waxes, 5%
and tars. Therefore most of its global
use is as a solvent for metal cleaning
Chemical
(degreasing) and across many other
Solvent intermediate
applications such as nonflammable
applications for HFCs
adhesive formulations, as a low low-
60% 35%
temperature heat-transfer
transfer medium
medium, and
as a solvent in waterless dying and
finishing operations. Trichloroethylene
is also used in the production of lithium
ion batteries, polychlorinated aliphatics and certain flame
flame-retardant chemicals. Inn the manufacture
of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), trichloroethylene is used as a molecular weight control agent.
Trichloroethylene is also used extensively as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of
hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, blowing agents
agents, and d some agricultural chemicals.

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Exposure Potential2
Trichloroethylene is used in the production of industrial products and in industrial processes. The
people most likely to be exposed to increased levels of trichloroethylene in the air are those
t who
work in chemical facilities where it is made or used. Inhalation of vapors from trichloroethylene or
products containing trichloroethylene should be minimized. Based on the uses for
trichloroethylene, the public could be exposed through:

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Product Safety Assessment: Trichloroethylene

 Workplace exposure – Exposure can occur either in a trichloroethylene manufacturing

facility or in the various industrial or manufacturing facilities that use trichloroethylene.
Trichloroethylene should be produced, distributed, stored, and used in closed systems.
Those working with trichloroethylene in manufacturing operations could be exposed during
maintenance, sampling, testing, or other procedures. Each manufacturing facility should have
a thorough training program for employees and appropriate work processes and safety
equipment in place to limit unnecessary trichloroethylene exposure. Persons working with
trichloroethylene should be provided with and instructed in the use of appropriate personal
protective clothing and equipment, as required. Adequate ventilation should be provided in
the workplace to minimize the possibility of an inhalation hazard. Clothing items that cannot
be decontaminated—such as shoes, belts, and watchbands—should be removed and
disposed of properly after exposure. See Health Information.
 Consumer exposure to products containing trichloroethylene – Dow does not sell
trichloroethylene for direct consumer use. See Health Information.
 Environmental releases – In the event of a spill, focus on containing the spill to prevent
contamination of soil, surfaces or ground water. Mop or soak up the material immediately.
Absorb with vermiculite or sawdust. Respiratory protection is necessary for cleaning up spills
and leaks. Eliminate all sources of ignition immediately. Although trichloroethylene itself does
not have a flash point, it can burn at room temperature. Ventilate the area of the leak or spill.
Isolate the area until the vapor has dispersed. See Environmental Information, Health
Information, and Physical Hazard Information.
 Large release – Industrial spills or releases are infrequent and generally contained. If a large
spill does occur, the material should be captured, collected, and reprocessed or disposed of
according to applicable governmental requirements. Positive pressure, self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a full-face mask approved by NIOSH is recommended for
emergency work. Eliminate all sources of ignition immediately. Use only explosion-proof
equipment; ground and bond all containers and handling equipment. In case of fire, deny any
unnecessary entry into the area. Use water fog or fine spray. Avoid contact with this material
during fire-fighting operations. If contact is likely, change to full chemical-resistant fire-fighting
clothing with SCBA. During a fire, smoke may contain the original material in addition to
combustion products of varying composition, which may be toxic and/or irritating. Clear non-
emergency personnel from the area. Vapors are heavier than air and may travel a long
distance and accumulate in low-lying areas. The public should be warned of downwind vapor
explosion hazards. Keep vapors out of sewers. Follow emergency procedures carefully. See
Environmental Information, Health Information, and Physical Hazard Information.

For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet.

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Health Information1,2,3
Brief contact may cause moderate skin irritation with local redness. Lengthy or repeated exposure
may cause irritation and drying or flaking of the skin. Prolonged or widespread skin contact is
unlikely to result in absorption of harmful amounts. Trichloroethylene may be absorbed through
the skin and may cause numbness in fingers immersed in the liquid.

Very low toxicity if swallowed. However, if swallowed, do not induce vomiting.

Inhalation is the principal route of exposure for trichloroethylene. The initial effects of excessive
inhalation exposure are dizziness, loss of coordination, sleepiness, and symptoms of anesthesia.
Nausea may accompany these signs and symptoms. Excessive exposure may cause systemic
injury (even death) and may increase sensitivity to epinephrine and increase the probability of
irregular heartbeats. Do not administer sympathomimetic drugs (like epinephrine) unless
absolutely necessary. Trichloroethylene exposure may also cause alcohol intolerance, which
often causes temporary reddening of the skin (“degreaser’s flush”). Health effects have been

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Product Safety Assessment: Trichloroethylene

reported when people are exposed to the level of trichloroethylene at which its odor is noticeable.
Effects reported at high levels include liver and kidney damage and changes in heart beat.

Several studies with mice and rats have suggested that high doses of trichloroethylene may
cause liver, kidney, or lung cancer. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) has classified
trichloroethylene as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” and the International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has listed it as “carcinogenic to humans” or Group 1.

Trichloroethylene has not caused birth defects in animal studies. Male reproductive toxicity
effects were observed in laboratory animals in the presence of systemic toxicity at high. In vitro
genetic toxicity studies were negative, and animal genetic toxicity studies were predominantly
negative. Pure trichloroethylene (without additives) lacks genetic toxicity potential in most test.

For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet.

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Environmental InformationError! Bookmark not defined.,5

Because it evaporates easily, most of the trichloroethylene released to the environment (either
during production or use) reaches the air, where it is found mainly as a gas. Even material that is
in water will readily evaporate into the air. However, trichloroethylene is moderately toxic to
aquatic organisms. Trichloroethylene that reaches groundwater may be difficult to remediate.

Trichloroethylene is not considered readily biodegradable, although biodegradation may occur

slowly under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The potential mobility of trichloroethylene in
the soil is high. Very little trichloroethylene breaks down in soil, and it can pass through the soil
into underground water. It does not bioaccumulate (build up in the food chain).

For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet.

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Physical Hazard Information2

Trichloroethylene is thermally stable at typical use temperatures. Thermal decomposition may
occur if the material is near open flames or hot sources. Toxic gases can be released during fire
or decomposition. The decomposition products depend upon temperature, air supply, and the
presence of other materials, but can include hydrogen chloride, chlorine, and phosgene.

Avoid contact of trichloroethylene with alkali metal hydroxides and strong bases. It can react to
form dichloroacetylene, which can spontaneously ignite in air. Avoid contact of trichloroethylene
with strong oxidizers.

For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet.

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Regulatory Information
Regulations may exist that govern the manufacture, sale, transportation, use, and/or disposal of
trichloroethylene. These regulations may vary by city, state, country, or geographic region.
Information may be found by consulting the relevant Safety Data Sheet or Technical Data Sheet.

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