© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Name: Tetrachloroethylene
Common Synonyms: Perchloroethylene, PCE
CAS Number: 127-18-4
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Sharp, sweet, ether-like scent
Common Uses: Dry cleaning solvent, degreasing agent, chemical intermediate
Exposure Routes: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Target Areas: Industrial laundry, metalworking, chemical manufacturing
Who Uses It: Dry cleaners, metal fabricators, industrial plant workers
Distinct Signature: Heavy liquid with a tendency to sink in water, not dissolve easily
Health Risks: Causes dizziness, headaches, and confusion after breathing vapors; skin contact dries and cracks skin; eye contact irritates and inflames; swallowing small amounts can upset the stomach and numb the throat
Environment Worries: Tends to linger in groundwater, pollutes soil, stays intact for long stretches
Chemical Danger: Vapors heavier than air collect in low spaces, especially in poorly ventilated spots
Fire and Explosion: Not easily ignited, but releases toxic smoke if it burns; decomposes to hydrogen chloride and phosgene with strong heat
GHS Symbols: Skull and crossbones, health hazard silhouette
Long-Term Effects: Possible carcinogen, liver stress, kidney injury with repeated exposure
Short-Term Effects: Stinging eyes and throat, sleepiness, nausea, confusion from high concentrations
Main Ingredient: Tetrachloroethylene: over 99%
Possible Impurities: Traces of trichloroethylene, hexachloroethane, stabilizers
Formula: C2Cl4
Physical Nature: Pure substance, sold neat or with inhibitors for storage
Ingredient Sources: Large-scale chemical synthesis from ethylene, chlorine
Commercial Additives: May contain stabilizers to reduce acid formation in storage drums
Inhalation: Move into fresh air, keep calm, support breathing if needed, call for help if symptoms linger
Skin Contact: Remove affected clothing, rinse with water and soap, avoid harsh scrubbing which can harm the skin
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical advice if irritation stays
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, avoid making the person vomit; get medical attention as soon as possible
Notable Danger Points: Do not give anything by mouth if the person is losing alertness; breathing can be affected, so keep them comfortable and supported
Major Fire Risks: Not very flammable, but dense fumes can poison rescuers
Hazardous Byproducts: Releases hydrogen chloride, phosgene, and other irritants on burning
Best Extinguishing Agents: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical, foam; avoid using water directly except for cooling containers
Firefighting Tips: Wear full protective gear and a self-contained breathing apparatus; keep a safe distance
Container Danger: Drums and tanks exposed to heat may burst from pressure rise
Smoke Concerns: Fumes can hang low to the ground, spread and cause unseen danger
Immediate Actions: Get out of the vapor area, ventilate the space, keep ignition sources away
Containment: Block off drainage systems; build dikes if needed to keep spills in place
Cleanup: Use absorbents such as sand or clay, scoop up and store in metal drums for disposal
Protection: Suited gloves, eye and face shields, rubber boots recommended during cleanup; respiratory protection in poorly ventilated places
Community Impact: Notify local authorities if a large spill leaks into sewers or waterways
Safe Handling: Use only with proper exhaust ventilation, keep out of confined spaces, minimize direct contact
Storage Location: Store in cool, dry, well-aired place, out of sunlight and away from heat
Compatible Materials: Keep away from strong oxidizers, metals, acids, open flames
Container Types: Steel drums with special lining or approved tank systems
Worker Habits: Wash hands before breaks, avoid eating or smoking around the liquid
Leak Prevention: Inspect hoses, seals, valves regularly for signs of wear
Control Measures: Use local ventilation and closed handling wherever possible
Respiratory Protection: Air-purifying or supplied-air respirators for higher vapor levels
Skin Protection: Wear gloves of nitrile, neoprene, or other solvent-resistant materials
Eye Protection: Chemical splash goggles, face shields for pouring and drum work
Clothing: Coveralls to prevent skin exposure, avoid street clothing
Monitoring: Regular air tests using personal and stationary detectors
Workplace Limits: OSHA and ACGIH long-term exposure limits in the low parts per million (ppm) range
State: Liquid at room temperature
Color: Clear, colorless
Odor: Ether-like, sharp with sweet undertones
Boiling Point: About 121 °C (250 °F)
Melting Point: About -22 °C (-8 °F)
Density: Around 1.62 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Moderate at room temperature
Solubility: Low in water, mixes well with many organic solvents
Evaporation Rate: Fairly high, can build up vapor
Vapor Density: Heavier than air, sinks to the ground
Appearance in Action: Does not foam, leaves visible residue only with impurities
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal use, sensitive to strong heat or exposed metal surfaces
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts with strong alkalis, metals like aluminum and magnesium; forms toxic gases under high heat
Decomposition Hazards: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, chloroform released if it breaks down
Storage Incompatibilities: Avoid acids and oxidizers; don’t mix with gasoline and similar fuels
Polymerization: Does not self-polymerize or thicken with time
Pressure Sensitivity: Can build up gas if stored with damp metal components
Main Risks: Causes anesthesia-like effects with vapor exposure; high doses can produce confusion, incoordination, even unconsciousness
Chronic Dangers: Links to liver and kidney injury, suspicion of cancer from repeated overexposure
Short-Term Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, stinging eyes, reddened skin
Uptake Routes: Lungs take in vapors much faster than skin or stomach
Organ Impact: Central nervous system depression, liver stress markers elevated in exposed workers
Human Data: Dry cleaning workers reported headaches, memory lapses, and liver irritation with older safety practices
Regulatory Note: International agencies flag tetrachloroethylene as a possible carcinogen
Persistence: Does not break down easily in air, soil, or water; lingers for months to years
Water Impact: Sinks to bottom, resists natural cleanup, collects in groundwater
Bioaccumulation: Small potential in organisms, higher risk in mud-dwelling species
Plant Danger: Stresses aquatic plants, reduces oxygen in groundwater plumes
Wildlife Risks: Harmful to aquatic invertebrates and fish at higher levels
Runoff Risks: Can move long distances in soil, turning up in water wells downstream from spills
Regulatory Push: Regular groundwater checks near manufacturing or dry cleaning plants by environmental agencies
Legal Requirements: Classified as hazardous waste under U.S. and EU law
Recommended Method: Send for high-temperature incineration in permitted facilities
Container Disposal: Fully empty drums, clean residues before recycling or disposal
Avoid: Don’t pour down drains, don’t mix with regular trash, keep clear of public sewers
Community Practices: Waste manifests and tracking often required by law; dry cleaners often join city programs to manage leftover solvents
Worker Responsibility: Train staff on proper labeling, storage, and reporting leaks and spills during storage or collection
Transportation Hazards: Carry as a regulated hazardous material, keep away from food and feed
Packing Group: Considered moderate risk for transport, assigned to Group III
UN Number: UN 1897
Labeling: Mark as “toxic” and “environmental hazard” during transport by road, rail, sea, or air
Spill Response: Transport units must carry spill supplies and instructions
Personal Responsibility: Drivers, handlers, and recipients receive special training under hazmat regulations
Record Keeping: Shipping logs, placards, and waybills always accompany bulk moves
International Status: Identified as a hazardous air and water pollutant worldwide
OSHA Guidance: Strict workplace exposure limits, requirement for engineering controls
EPA Listing: Tracked under the Clean Air Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, appears on lists of hazardous substances
EU Controls: Classified as a substance of concern under REACH, health warnings on containers
Right-To-Know: Workers entitled to information on risks and safe handling; warning signs posted in workplaces
Review Cycle: Many countries update legal exposure limits every few years to track new research
