Product Name: Carbon Tetrachloride
Synonyms: Tetrachloromethane, Perchloromethane, Benzinoform, Tetrasol
CAS Number: 56-23-5
UN Number: UN1846
Recommended Use: Solvent, cleaning fluid, refrigerant manufacture, laboratory chemical
Supplier Contact: Details depend on supply chain; always confirm with local distributor or manufacturer
Emergency Contact: Local emergency services and poison control centers often provide fastest advice
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity – Oral (Category 3), Acute Toxicity – Inhalation (Category 2), Skin Irritation (Category 2), Carcinogenicity (Category 2), Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated Exposure (Category 2)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if inhaled or swallowed, causes skin irritation, may cause cancer, suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child, may cause organ damage through prolonged or repeated exposure
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, health hazard
Routes of Exposure: Ingestion, inhalation, dermal absorption
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapor or mist, use protective clothing and gloves, handle in well-ventilated areas, do not eat or drink during use, wash hands and exposed skin after handling
Chemical Name: Carbon Tetrachloride
Chemical Formula: CCl4
Concentration: 99–100% (technical and reagent grades)
Impurities: Small quantities of phosgene and chloroform may be present due to decomposition or production contamination
Molecular Weight: 153.82 g/mol
Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately; keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing; seek immediate medical advice
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; rinse skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; get medical help if irritation or burns occur
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes; lift upper and lower lids occasionally; seek immediate medical attention
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth with water; seek medical advice without delay; never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person
Most Important Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, signs of central nervous system depression, possible kidney and liver damage
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam; do not use water directly on leak as it may not extinguish chemical
Special Hazards: Non-flammable itself but may release toxic gases such as phosgene, hydrochloric acid, or chlorine if involved in fire; containers may explode due to pressure buildup
Protective Equipment: Use self-contained breathing apparatus and fully encapsulating, chemical-resistant clothing
Advice for Firefighters: Stay upwind, isolate hazard area and, if safe, remove containers from fire area; cool tanks and containers with water spray to prevent vapor pressure build-up
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel; ensure adequate ventilation; use personal protection: chemical resistant gloves, goggles, and respirator
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe; do not allow into sewers, surface water, or groundwater
Containment and Cleaning: Absorb spillage with inert absorbent material (e.g., sand, earth) then place in chemical waste container; clean up with non-sparking tools; ventilate area and avoid runoff into the environment
Handling: Always avoid breathing vapors; keep containers tightly closed; use in chemical fume hood or well-ventilated area; never eat, drink, or smoke during use
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat or ignition sources; keep away from incompatible substances such as strong bases, alkali metals, and aluminum; containers should be clearly labeled and tightly sealed
Incompatible Materials: Avoid contact with alkali or alkaline earth metals, powdered aluminum, sodium, potassium, and hot surfaces
Engineering Controls: Use only in chemical fume hood or with local exhaust ventilation; keep air concentration below occupational limit
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 10 ppm (CCl4), ACGIH TLV: 5 ppm, NIOSH REL: 2 ppm
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, gloves resistant to chlorinated solvents (such as Viton or butyl rubber), flame-resistant lab coat; use respirator approved for organic vapor if required by air concentration
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, forearms, and face thoroughly after handling; remove contaminated clothing promptly; always keep contaminated work clothing away from living areas
Appearance: Clear, colorless, heavy liquid
Odor: Characteristic sweet, ether-like
Odor Threshold: 10–15 ppm
pH: Not applicable (neutral, nonaqueous)
Melting Point: –23 °C
Boiling Point: 76.7 °C
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: 11.9 (butyl acetate = 1)
Flammability: Non-flammable
Vapor Pressure: 91 mmHg at 20 °C
Vapor Density: 5.3 (air=1)
Relative Density: 1.59 (water=1)
Solubility: 0.08 g/100 mL (water); miscible with chloroform, benzene, ether
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): log Kow = 2.64
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Not applicable
Decomposition Temperature: Decomposes to form toxic gases above 175 °C
Viscosity: 0.97 mPa.s at 20 °C
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions and normal usage; decomposes at elevated temperatures, especially above 150 °C
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flame, sparks, direct sunlight, open flames, hot metal surfaces
Incompatible Materials: Reacts with metals (aluminum, potassium, sodium), strong bases
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Phosgene, hydrogen chloride, chlorine, carbon monoxide
Polymerization: Does not occur under normal conditions
Acute Toxicity: Toxic if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through skin; LD50 oral (rat): 1,235 mg/kg; LC50 inhalation (rat): 8,000 mg/m3 4h
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure damages liver, kidney, and central nervous system; risk of carcinogenicity increases with chronic exposure
Symptoms: Headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, liver and kidney injury
Carcinogenicity: IARC Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans); NTP reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogen
Mutagenicity and Reproductive Toxicity: Evidence from animal studies indicates potential reproductive and developmental toxicity
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic life; LC50 (96 h, fish): ~76 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable; persists in groundwater and soil
Bioaccumulative Potential: Has moderate potential to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Low to moderate; can leach into groundwater and persist for long periods
Other Adverse Effects: Depletes ozone layer and may affect local air quality
Disposal Methods: Handled as hazardous waste; incinerate in approved chemical incinerator with afterburner and scrubber; never pour into water, drains, or environment
Container Disposal: Empty containers retain residue; treat as hazardous; puncture and triple rinse before disposal following federal, state, and local regulations
Additional Precautions: Seek input from local hazardous waste disposal authorities for guidance tailored to specific situation and requirements
UN Number: UN1846
Proper Shipping Name: Carbon Tetrachloride
Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substance)
Packing Group: II
Label: Toxic, Keep Away From Food
Special Provisions: Must be shipped in approved containers; check for additional requirements in air, rail, or marine transport regulations
Environmental Hazards: Yes, hazardous to aquatic environment, marine pollutant
U.S. OSHA: Regulated as hazardous substance
TSCA: Listed
SARA Title III: Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act—listed under Sections 302 and 313
California Prop 65: Listed as known to cause cancer
EU Regulation: Classified as Carcinogen Category 2 under CLP; subject to REACH restrictions
Other International: Included in Rotterdam PIC Convention and Montreal Protocol due to ozone depletion concerns; restrictions apply in many countries regarding use and disposal
