Tetrachloroethylene Fact Sheet

Source of Exposure

Tetrachloroethylene, or perchloroethylene, is primarily used as a dry cleaning agent, but it has wide application in industry. It has been employed in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, as a metal degreaser, and as a grain fumigant. Contamination of ground water has been reported due to discharges from dry-cleaning establishments.

Symptoms

Exposure to tetrachloroethylene can cause fissured dermatitis and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Acute exposure has been known to cause depression of the central nervous system. Other signs and symptoms include malaise, dizziness, headaches, and an increase in perspiration. Cardiac arrhythmias and renal injury have been produced in laboratory animals. Perchloroethylene has been found to be carcinogenic.

Blood Concentrations

Data shows a background level of 1.4 PPB in the blood for the general population. The Threshold Limit Value for perchloroethylene has been set at 100,000 PPB for ambient air. No data is available on workers at the TLV. However, a study was performed on workers exposed to 194,000 PPB (air). These workers obtained an average blood concentration of 2600 PPB.

Toxic Levels

Workers exposed to air concentrations of tetrachloroethylene were able to tolerate concentrations of 1,000,000 PPB for up to I.5 hrs. Concentration of more than 1,500,000 PPB quickly produced symptoms. Individuals who have been sensitized may manifest negative health effects at concentrations well within the ranges considered safe for the average population.

Metabolism

It has been estimated that as much as 80% of tetrachloroethylene is exhaled unchanged (Guberan & Fernandez). The actual internal metabolism of perchloroethylene is poorly understood. Only trace metabolites of this chemical have been found in the urine after exposure. Trichloroacetic acid and trichloroethanol have been identified in small amounts by researchers.

Summary

Classification:   Halogenated Hydrocarbon
Population Average:   1.4 PPB (whole blood)
Threshold Limit Value:   100,000 PPB (air)
Onset of Symptoms:   Data not available
Death:   Data not available
Half Life: Data not available
LD5O:   (oral-rat) 850 mg/kg

References

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-Baselt, R.D. Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man 2nd Ed., Davis, CA: Biomedical Publications, 1982.

-Baselt, R.C., Biological Monitoring Methods for Industrial Chemicals, Biomedical Publications, Davis, California, 1980, pp. 39 -40.

-Bioassay of Tetrachloroethylene for Possible Carcinogenicity, DHEW Publication No. (NH) 77-813, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, October, 1977.

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-Doull, J. et al. , Casarett and Doull's Toxicology, 2nd ed. , Macmillan, New York, 1980.

-Fernandez, F., Guberan, E., and Caperos, J., "Experimental human exposures to tetrachloroethylene vapor and elimination in breath after inhalation," Am.Ind.Hyg.Asso.J. 37: 143-150, 1976.

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-Guberan E. and Fernandez, J., "Control of industrial exposure to tetrachloroethylene by measuring alveolar concentrations: theoretical approach using a mathematical model," Brit.J.Ind.Med. 31: l59-167, 1974.

-Ikeda,, M. and Ohtsuji, H., "Comparative study of the excretion of Fujiwara reaction-positive substances in urine of humans and rodents given trichloro- or tetrachloro-derivatives of ethane and ethylene," Brit.J.Ind.Med. 29: 99-104, 1972.

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-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Tetrachloroethylene, NIOSH Doc. '76-185, 1976.

-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Current Intelligence Bulletin No. 20: Tetrachloroethylene, Washington, D.C., January 20, 1978.

-NIOSH, Current Intelligence Bulletin 20, Tetrachloroethylene. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio,January 20, 1978.

-Ogata, M., Takatsuka, Y. , and Tomokuni , K. , "Excretion of organic chlorine compounds in the urine of persons exposed to vapours of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene," Brit.J.Ind.Med. 28: 386-391, 1971.

-Piotrowski, J.K., Exposure Test for Organic Compounds in Industrial Toxicology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1971 pp. 98-101.

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-Stewart, R.D., "Acute tetrachloroethylene intoxication," J.Am.Med.Asso. 208: 1490-1492, 1969.

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-U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Tetrachloroethylene: Ambient Water Quality Criteria, Washington, D.C., 1980.

-U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Health Assessment Document for Tetrachloroethylene, External Review Draft No. 2 in circulation, Research Triangle Park, NC, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, January, 1980.

-U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Tetrachloroethylene,, Health and Environmental Effects Profile No. 158, Washington, DC, Office of Solid Waste, April 30, 1980.

-United Nations Environment Programme, IRPTC Legal File 1983, Vol. II, pp VII/364-6, Geneva, Switzerland, International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals, 1984.