Product Name: Trichloroethylene
Synonyms: TCE, Acetylene trichloride, Ethylene trichloride, Triclene
Chemical Formula: C2HCl3
CAS Number: 79-01-6
Recommended Use: Used as a solvent for metal degreasing and cleaning, extraction of natural and synthetic fats and oils, and in chemical synthesis
Manufacturer Contact: Name, emergency phone number, and address typically listed on product packaging or supplier documentation
Emergency Telephone: Refer to supplier or local emergency services for 24-hour support
Hazard Class: Carcinogen, acute toxicant, skin and eye irritant
GHS Classification: Flammable liquids (Category 3), Acute toxicity—Oral (Category 4), Skin irritation (Category 2), Eye irritation (Category 2A), Carcinogenicity (Category 1B), Specific target organ toxicity—single exposure (Category 3)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: May cause cancer by inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption; causes serious eye and skin irritation; may cause drowsiness or dizziness; harmful if swallowed
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors, use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, wear protective gloves and eye protection, do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product
Component: Trichloroethylene
Chemical Identity: 1,1,2-Trichloroethene
CAS Number: 79-01-6
Concentration: Over 99% by weight
Impurities: Hydrochloric acid (trace), other chlorinated hydrocarbons in very low concentrations
Inhalation: Remove affected person to fresh air immediately, keep at rest and seek medical attention for persistent symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or nausea
Skin Contact: Rinse exposed skin with plenty of water and remove contaminated clothing; seek medical advice if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Flush eyes thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally; call a doctor
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth with water, call a poison center or doctor immediately
Important Symptoms: Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, respiratory irritation, and unsteady gait can signal acute exposure; regular contact increases cancer risk
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam; water spray only to cool exposed containers
Specific Hazards: Releases hydrogen chloride, phosgene, and carbon oxides when heated to decomposition; vapors may form explosive mixtures with air in confined spaces
Firefighter Protection: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear, avoid inhaling fumes
Special Measures: Contain and collect water used to extinguish fire separately to avoid contamination of sewage system; extinguish fire from a sheltered location
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area and ventilate; avoid breathing vapors or coming into contact with spilled substance, use proper respiratory and skin protection
Spill Containment: Use inert absorbent materials (sand, earth), do not wash into drains or allow to enter watercourses
Cleaning Up: Collect residue in tightly closed, labeled containers; decontaminate spill area; dispose of according to local regulations
Environmental Protection: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe; notify authorities if product enters sewers or water bodies
Handling: Always use in a chemical fume hood or with local exhaust; avoid inhalation, skin, and eye contact; keep containers tightly closed when not in use
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, well-ventilated place away from heat, direct sunlight, sources of ignition, and incompatible materials like strong oxidizers
Container Material: Use corrosion-resistant containers with proper labeling; keep away from food, drinking water, and animal feed
Other Recommendations: Use non-sparking tools and explosion-proof equipment in areas where vapors might accumulate
Occupational Exposure Limit: OSHA PEL 100 ppm (TWA), NIOSH REL 25 ppm (TWA), ACGIH TLV 10 ppm (TWA)
Engineering Controls: Ensure effective ventilation and local exhaust, use closed processes when possible
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, face shield, impervious clothing; use appropriate respiratory protection such as air-purifying respirator with organic vapor cartridge
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke during use, remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Sweet, chloroform-like odor
Boiling Point: 87°C (189°F)
Melting Point: -84°C (-119°F)
Vapor Pressure: 58 mm Hg at 25°C
Vapor Density: 4.5 (air = 1)
Specific Gravity: 1.46 at 20°C
Solubility in Water: 1 g/L at 25°C
pH: Not available (neutral as supplied)
Flammability: Low; non-flammable under most circumstances but hazardous in presence of open flame
Partition Coefficient (Log Kow): 2.42
Evaporation Rate: 3 (butyl acetate = 1)
Autoignition Temperature: 420°C (788°F)
Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, carbon oxides
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; decomposes on contact with light or prolonged exposure to air
Incompatible Materials: Strong alkalis, strong oxidizing agents, moisture, powdered metals, alkali or alkaline earth metals
Hazardous Reactions: Can react violently with alkali metals, causes formation of toxic and corrosive vapors
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, dichloroacetylene, carbon monoxide and dioxide
Polymerization: Product does not polymerize under normal conditions
Acute Toxicity: Inhalation LC50 (mouse): 12,500 ppm/2h, Oral LD50 (rat): 4,920 mg/kg
Chronic Effects: Long term exposure may damage liver, kidneys, and central nervous system, regular exposure linked to cancer (IARC classifies as Group 1 carcinogen)
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Symptoms: Acute exposure leads to dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue, and confusion; prolonged skin contact may cause dermatitis
Carcinogenicity: Recognized as a confirmed human carcinogen by IARC, NTP, ACGIH
Mutagenicity and Teratogenicity: Possible risk of genetic damage and adverse reproductive outcomes with chronic workplace exposure
Additional Information: Sensitization is rare but possible, high vapor concentration can cause unconsciousness or respiratory failure
Environmental Fate: Volatile, readily evaporates from soil and surface water, moderate persistence
Bioaccumulation: Potential for accumulation in aquatic organisms, low to moderate mobility in soil
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life: LC50 (fish, 96h): 40 mg/L; EC50 (daphnia, 48h): 18 mg/L
Other Effects: Toxic to some soil microbes and potentially to birds if contaminated water is ingested; airborne vapor can be an environmental hazard near groundwater
Degradability: Slow to biodegrade, can persist in subsurface environments and contaminate groundwater
Waste Treatment Methods: Incinerate in a chemical incinerator with afterburner and scrubber; do not pour into drains or natural environments
Container Disposal: Rinse thoroughly, puncture, and send to authorized waste management facility
Regulatory Requirements: Classified as hazardous waste by RCRA (U.S.); local and international regulations strictly control disposal
Precautions: Avoid contact with incompatible materials during disposal; label all waste clearly with hazards noted
UN Number: 1710
Proper Shipping Name: Trichloroethylene
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic Substance)
Packing Group: III
Labels: Toxic, Keep Away From Food
Marine Pollutant: Not listed
Special Provisions: Secure tightly, use only approved containers, keep away from foodstuffs and personal baggage, emergency response procedures in place
Shipping in Bulk: Requires documentation and emergency response information available during transit
U.S. Regulations: Listed under CERCLA (requires notification for releases), covered by SARA Title III (community right-to-know), requires TLV monitoring under OSHA
International Status: Included in European REACH and CLP regulations (harmonized classification and labeling), requires workplace exposure controls in EU, recognized as a carcinogen by IARC (monographs series 63)
Labeling Requirements: Must indicate hazard pictograms (skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, health hazard), include risk and safety phrases
Restrictions: Banned or severely restricted in some jurisdictions for consumer use, allowed only for industrial purposes under control measures
