Synonyms: Perchloroethylene; Tetrachloroethene; Carbon bichloride; 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethylene; 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethene

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 2020
(IMIS Name History: Tetrachloroethylene prior to 9/1/89; Perchloroethylene from 9/1/98 through 6/23/04; currently Tetrachoroethylene).

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 127-18-4

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: KX3850000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook [4 MB PDF, 392 pages]: 1897 160

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Tetrachloroethylene: Physical description, chemical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Hazard Summary - Tetrachloroethylene: Uses, sources and potential exposure, acute and chronic health hazard information, and more

National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen [150 KB PDF, 3 pages]

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 2A [4 MB PDF, 63 pages] (probably carcinogenic to humans)

EPA carcinogenic classification: Likely to be carcinogenic to humans

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): 4x10^-2 mg/m³

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Inhalation Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs): 0.2 ppm (acute); 0.04 ppm (chronic)

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) concentration: 150 ppm

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards

1. Dry-cleaning workers are occupationally exposed to tetrachloroethylene and are found to experience excess cancer mortality in some studies (Ruder et al. 2001).
2. Increased relative risk for bladder cancer was found in dry-cleaning workers in Nordic countries (Lynge et al. 2006).
3. Exposure can be determined by measuring perchloroethylene in expired air, blood, or urine, or the major metabolite in urine - trichloroacetic acid. (Gobba et al. 2003).
4. Color-vison impairment may occur from a small exposure to tetrachloroethylene (Gobba et al. 1998).
5. Strong evidence exists that metabolism of tetrachloroethylene may produce carcinogenic metabolites toxic to the liver and kidneys (Gobba et al. 2003; Lash and Parker 2001).
6. IARC stated that epidemiological studies noted positive associations between tetrachloroethylene exposure and several cancers, including bladder, oesophagus, kidney, cervix, and NHL; however, there was a consistent pattern across studies only for bladder cancer. Findings from cancer bioassays in mice and toxicity studies in animals have identified several potential genotoxic and non-genotoxic mechanisms of carcinogenesis for tetrachloroethylene in the liver that could operate in people. In rats, tetrachloroethylene induces neoplasms of the haemopoietic system, testes, kidney, and brain. (IARC 2012)

• ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Tetrochloroethylene. 2001.
• ANSI: USA Standard Acceptable Concentrations of Tetrachloroethylene. 1967.
• EPA IRIS Tetrachloroethylene, 2012
• IARC, Lancet Oncology, 13:1192-1193, 2011
• NIOSH: Criteria for a Recommended Standard - Occupational Exposure to Tetrachloroethylene. 1976.
• NIOSH: Occupational Health Guideline for Tetrachloroethylene. 1978.
• NIOSH/IPCS: International Chemical Safety Cards - Tetrachloroethylene. April 13, 2000.
• Gobba, F., Righi, E., Fantuzzi, G., Roccatto, L., Predieri, G., and Aggazzotti, G.: Perchloroethylene in alveolar air, blood, and urine as biologic indices of low-level exposure. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 45(11): 1152-1157, 2003.
• Gobba, F., Righi, E., Fantuzzi, G., Predieri, G., Cavazzuti, L. and Aggazzotti, G.: Two-year evolution of perchloroethylene-induced color-vision loss. Arch. Environ. Health 53(3): 196-198, 1998.
• Lash, L.H. and Parker, J.C.: Hepatic and renal toxicities associated with perchlorethylene. Pharmacol. Rev. 53(2): 177-208, 2001.
• Lynge E. et al.: Cancer in persons working in dry cleaning in the Nordic countries. Environ Health Perspect. 114(2):213-9, February 2006.
• Ruder, A.M., Ward, E.M. and Brown, D.P.: Mortality in dry-cleaning workers: an update. Am. J. Ind. Med. 39(2): 121-132, 2001.

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

• sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
  analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
  alternative solvent: 99:1 Carbon Disulfide:Dimethylformamide
  maximum volume: 12 Liters
  maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (TWA)
  minimum time: >5 Minutes
  maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Ceiling)
  minimum time: >1 Minute
  maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Peak)
  current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
  method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1001)
  method classification: Fully Validated

• sampling media: Diffusive Sampler (SKC 575-002 Passive Sampler)
  analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
  minimum time: ≤ 240 Minutes (TWA)
  minimum time: > 5 Minutes (Ceiling)
  minimum time: ≥ 5 Minutes (Peak)
  current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
  method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1001)
  method classification: Fully Validated

On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: AUER/MSA
  model/type: Per-10, MSA P/N 487337, AUER P/N 5085-840
  sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
  upper measurement limit: 500 ppm
  detection limit: approximately 10 ppm
  overall uncertainty: unknown
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: AUER/MSA
  model/type: Per-5, MSA P/N 804429, AUER P/N 5085-865
  sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
  upper measurement limit: 200 ppm
  detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
  overall uncertainty: unknown
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Dräger
  model/type: Tetrachloroethylene 0.1/a, order no. 81 01551
  sampling information: 3/9 strokes
  upper measurement limit: 4/1 ppm
  detection limit: 0.5/0.2 ppm
  overall uncertainty: approximately 33%
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Dräger
  model/type: Tetrachloroethylene 2/a, order no. 81 01501
  sampling information: 1/5 strokes
  upper measurement limit: 300/40 ppm
  detection limit: approximately 20/2 ppm
  overall uncertainty: approximately 25%
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Dräger
  model/type: Tetrachloroethylene 10/b, order no. CH 30701
  sampling information: 3 strokes
  upper measurement limit: 500 ppm
  detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
  overall uncertainty: approximately 25%
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Gastec
  model/type: 133HA
  sampling information: 4 strokes
  upper measurement limit: 50 ppm
  detection limit: 0.05 ppm
  overall uncertainty: 16% for 0.2 to 10 ppm, 8% for 10 to 50 ppm
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Gastec
  model/type: 172
  sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
  upper measurement limit: 900 ppm
  detection limit: 0.5 ppm
  overall uncertainty: 16% for 20 to 100 ppm, 8% for 100 to 300 ppm
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Gastec
  model/type: 133M
  sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
  upper measurement limit: 250 ppm
  detection limit: 0.4 ppm
  overall uncertainty: 16% for 5 to 20 ppm, 8% for 20 to 100 ppm
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Gastec
  model/type: 133L
  sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
  upper measurement limit: 75 ppm
  detection limit: 0.4 ppm
  overall uncertainty: 16% for 2 to 5 ppm, 8% for 5 to 25 ppm
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Gastec
  model/type: 133LL
  sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
  upper measurement limit: 9 ppm
  detection limit: 0.05 ppm
  overall uncertainty: 16% for 0.2 to 1 ppm, 8% for 1 to 3 ppm
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube (diffusion-type)
  manufacturer: Gastec
  model/type: 133D
  sampling information: 1 to 8 hours
  upper measurement limit: 150 ppm
  detection limit: 3 ppm
  overall uncertainty: 25% for 25 to 50 ppm-h, 16% for 50 to 150 ppm-h
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
  model/type: 8014-135SA
  sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
  upper measurement limit: 300 ppm
  detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
  overall uncertainty: unknown
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
  model/type: 8014-243U
  sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
  upper measurement limit: 160 ppm
  detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
  overall uncertainty: unknown
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
  model/type: 8014-135SB
  sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
  upper measurement limit: 10 ppm
  detection limit: approximately 1 ppm
  overall uncertainty: unknown
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
  model/type: 8014-135SH
  sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
  upper measurement limit: 2%
  detection limit: approximately 0.05%
  overall uncertainty: unknown
  method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

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