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Name: Trichloroethylene CAS Number: 79-01-6 Common Uses: Industrial degreasers, solvents for extraction, spot removers, cleaning metals Physical State: Clear, colorless liquid with a sweet, somewhat chloroform-like odor Other Names: TCE, Trichloroethene
HEALTH HAZARDS: Inhalation can cause dizziness, headaches, unconsciousness, liver and kidney damage with chronic exposure. Direct contact irritates skin and eyes. Longer-term effects include potential cancer risk. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Volatile compound, rapid vaporization, risk of groundwater contamination, serious threat to aquatic life. OSHA CLASSIFICATION: Suspected carcinogen, hazardous by inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption. FLAMMABILITY: Moderate under certain conditions; produces toxic gases under fire.
Main Component: Trichloroethylene — Pure, or occasionally mixed with stabilizers depending on source Concentration: Typically above 99%
INHALATION: Move affected person to fresh air at once. Oxygen support if breathing seems labored. Watch for delayed symptoms. SKIN CONTACT: Immediately scrub off with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. EYE CONTACT: Rinse eyes generously with water for several minutes. Seek medical help if irritation continues. INGESTION: Rinse mouth without inducing vomiting. Get medical assistance as soon as possible—damage can be insidious.
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, foam. Water spray for cooling only—avoid direct stream, TCE floats and spreads. HAZARDS: Burns off to produce phosgene, hydrogen chloride, and other toxic products. Vapors heavier than air can travel to ignition source. PRECAUTIONS: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full body suit to avoid inhaling corrosive smoke.
MINOR SPILLS: Ventilate the room, use non-sparking tools, absorb with inert material (soil, sand, vermiculite), transfer safely. LARGE SPILLS: Evacuate area, shut off ignition sources. Build dikes for liquid containment. Trained response teams should manage. PERSONAL CONTROLS: Respirators and gloves essential—avoid skin and eye contact, maximize airflow.
HANDLING PRACTICES: Use only in well-ventilated spaces. Never eat, drink, or smoke close to open containers. Keep container tightly sealed. STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS: Store in cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouses. Never near heat, direct sunlight, acids, oxidizers, or moisture. PRECAUTIONS: Always ground and bond containers when transferring liquid. Even small leaks demand immediate attention because vapors can accumulate and migrate.
OCCUPATIONAL LIMITS: OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit: 100 ppm (8 hr TWA); NIOSH considers 25 ppm as a recommended exposure cap. ENGINEERING CONTROLS: General and local exhaust ventilation central for all work with TCE. Fume hoods just don’t cut corners here. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Splash goggles, chemically resistant gloves (nitrile, butyl rubber), flame-retardant apron. When air concentration climbs, full-face respirators or SCBA units should be worn—especially for emergencies or confined space entries.
BOILING POINT: Around 87°C MELTING POINT: -73°C SPECIFIC GRAVITY: Approx. 1.46 (water = 1) VAPOR PRESSURE: 58 mmHg at 20°C SOLUBILITY: Slightly soluble in water, soluble in most organic solvents VAPOR DENSITY: Heavier than air; vapors sink close to the floor. ODOR: Sweet, ether-like, but misleading—unreliable for hazard warnings.
CHEMICAL STABILITY: Decomposes slowly in water; rapid breakdown in strong light or heat exposure. INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS: Strong bases, alkali metals, oxidizers—can generate violent reactions. Contact with aluminum, magnesium, or sodium should be strictly avoided. HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: Phosgene, hydrogen chloride, and dichloroacetylene under extended heating or combustion. No one wants to risk breathing these.
ACUTE EFFECTS: Dizziness, respiratory irritation, headache, nausea, even unconsciousness at higher doses. Liquid causes severe skin dryness or cracking. CHRONIC EFFECTS: Kidney toxicity, liver damage, cardiac arrhythmias; occupational linkage to esophageal, kidney, and liver cancer from extended exposure. REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS: Animal studies flag up birth defects and fertility reduction; data in humans support concern. CARCINOGENICITY: Classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by IARC. The science draws a grim line for long exposures.
AQUATIC TOXICITY: Harmful to fish and aquatic organisms. Aquifers at special risk due to high mobility in the subsurface. PERSISTENCE: TCE lingers in groundwater, resists rapid breakdown, and requires aggressive remediation methods for removal. BIOACCUMULATION: Not significant in fish, but ground contamination lasts generations—industrial legacy often measured in decades, not years.
RECOMMENDED DISPOSAL: Manage as a hazardous waste, incineration preferred at licensed facilities. Do not pour down drains, into water, or landfill without permission. CLEAN-UP: Containers should be triple-rinsed and sent to approved treatment. Keep waste separated from incompatible materials to prevent fires or toxic byproducts during disposal.
UN NUMBER: UN1710 DOT CLASS: Hazardous, Class 6.1 (Poisonous liquid) TRANSPORT PRECAUTIONS: Leak-proof packaging, strict documentation, and safety labeling. Emergency plans essential for spills or accidents en route; exposure risk to drivers and responders is real.
OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS: U.S. OSHA, NIOSH, and European REACH include TCE on their list of substances subject to strict control and monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL: Listed as a hazardous air pollutant and groundwater contaminant by the U.S. EPA; heavy restrictions on discharge and release. CONSUMER SAFETY: No approved use in food, consumer cleaning, or cosmetics. Only industrial and technical handlers get access, and even they answer to oversight and reporting.
