Tetrachloroethylene: Uses and Effects on humans

Uses of tetrachloroethylene

Tetrachloroethylene is mainly used as a dry-cleaning agent. It is an intermediate for production of trichloroacetic acid and fluorine-containing organic compounds. It is also used as a solvent for many organic substances. In addition, it is used in metal degreasing.

Properties of tetrachloroethylene

Tetrachloroethylene is a colorless liquid with an odor similar to ether. Its boiling point is 121.2°C, and the melting point is −22.4°C. It can be miscible with common organic solvents such as ethanol, ether, benzene, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. It can dissolve fat, oil, tar, rubber, natural resin and aromatic organic acids. It is hardly soluble in water. The solubility of tetrachloroethylene in water is 0.015% (wt) at 25°C; and the solubility of water in tetrachloroethylene is 0.0105% (wt). Tetrachloroethylene forms an azeotrope with water, having an azeotropic point of 87.7°C and an azeotropic composition: tetrachloroethylene of 84.2% and water of 15.8%.

Effects on humans

Tetrachloroethylene is widely used for dry-cleaning fabrics and metal degreasing operations. Effects resulting from acute (short term) high-level inhalation exposure of humans to tetrachloroethylene include irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes, kidney dysfunction, and neurological effects such as reversible mood and behavioral changes, impairment of coordination, dizziness, headache, sleepiness, and unconsciousness.  The primary effects from chronic (long term) inhalation exposure are neurological, including impaired cognitive and motor neurobehavioral performance.  Tetrachloroethylene exposure may also cause adverse effects in the kidney, liver, immune system and hematologic system, and on development and reproduction. Studies of people exposed in the workplace have found associations with several types of cancer including bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma.  EPA has classified tetrachloroethylene as likely to be carcinogenic to humans.