Product Name: Tetrachloroethylene
Common Names: Perchloroethylene, PERC
CAS Number: 127-18-4
Recommended Use: Solvent in dry cleaning, degreasing, chemical intermediate
Manufacturer Contact: Emergency phone numbers are usually provided with supplier information, which must be available onsite for rapid response.
UN Number: UN1897
Synonyms: PCE, perchloroethylene, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethene
GHS Classification: Carcinogenicity (Category 2), Eye irritation (Category 2A), Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure, Category 2), Acute toxicity (Category 4, Inhalation), Skin irritation (Category 2), Aspiration hazard
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes eye and skin irritation, may cause drowsiness or dizziness, harmful if inhaled, suspected of causing cancer, may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, Health hazard
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Potential Health Effects: Central nervous system depression, respiratory discomfort, dizziness, possible organ damage with long-term exposure, eye and throat irritation
Environmental Effects: Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Chemical Name: Tetrachloroethylene
Synonyms: Perchloroethylene, PERC
CAS Number: 127-18-4
Concentration: Typically 99% or higher in commercial formulations
Impurities: Trace stabilizers or degradation products, total volume usually less than 1%
Molecular Formula: C2Cl4
Molecular Weight: 165.83 g/mol
Inhalation: Remove affected person to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention for symptoms of headache, nausea, difficulty breathing, or confusion
Skin Contact: Immediately remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with plenty of water (for 15 minutes minimum), seek medical aid for irritation or burns
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, call a doctor
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, seek immediate medical help, risk of aspiration into lungs increases injury
Most Important Symptoms: Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, respiratory difficulty, irritation of eyes or skin, central nervous system effects
Immediate Medical Attention Needed: For inhalation, severe skin or eye effects, suspected ingestion, or symptoms of toxicity
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical, foam, water spray (to cool containers, not for direct attack), do not use direct water jet
Hazards from Combustion: Releases hydrochloric acid, phosgene, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and chlorine gases under fire conditions
Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear
Special Precautions: Vapors heavier than air, can collect in low areas or confined spaces, risk of explosion or flash fire if exposed to flames, potential for toxic vapor release
Specific Hazards: Decomposes at high temperatures, creating noxious gasses such as phosgene and hydrogen chloride, increasing risks to firefighters and nearby populations
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, restrict unnecessary personnel, ventilate area, wear chemical splash goggles, chemical resistant gloves, respirator suited to organic vapors
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release into the environment, contain spill to prevent migration into sewers, drains or waterways
Methods for Clean Up: Absorb liquid using inert, non-combustible material like sand, earth, or vermiculite, collect in drums for proper disposal, ventilate area after clean-up
Additional Notes: Isolate spill area, prevent run-off, notify authorities if significant release or contamination occurs
Precautions for Safe Handling: Use with adequate exhaust ventilation, avoid inhaling vapors, prevent skin and eye contact, avoid heat or sources of ignition, ground equipment to prevent static discharge
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers, keep in cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from sunlight, incompatible materials include strong oxidizers, alkalis, and concentrated nitric acid
Incompatible Materials: Alkali metals, strong oxidizing agents, finely powdered metals, aluminum, strong bases
Special Storage Considerations: Use corrosion-resistant lining in tanks, keep containers upright and properly labeled, avoid storing near food or animal feed
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL 100 ppm (670 mg/m³), ACGIH TLV 25 ppm TWA, NIOSH REL 100 ppm TWA
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, process enclosure, equipment with explosion proofing where needed, fume hoods
Personal Protection: NIOSH approved respirators for organic vapors, chemical resistant gloves (nitrile, butyl rubber), splash goggles or face shield, chemical resistant boots, long-sleeved protective clothing
Hygiene: Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling, replace contaminated clothing, do not eat, drink, or smoke in work area
Environmental Controls: Use spill containment systems, air and water monitoring near emission sources
Appearance: Transparent colorless liquid
Odor: Mild, sweet, ether-like
Odor Threshold: 1 ppm
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point: -22°C (-7.6°F)
Boiling Point: 121°C (250°F)
Flash Point: None (nonflammable under typical conditions)
Evaporation Rate: 3 (butyl acetate=1)
Flammability: Not flammable, vapors can form combustible mixtures above 648°C
Upper/Lower Flammable Limits: Not applicable at room temp
Vapor Pressure: 18.47 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 5.76 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 1.622 g/cm³
Solubility: 0.15 g/100 mL water at 20°C
Partition Coefficient (Log Kow): 2.88
Auto-ignition Temperature: 500°C (932°F)
Decomposition Temperature: >120°C releases toxic gases
Viscosity: 0.89 mPa·s at 25°C
Chemical Stability: Stable under standard conditions, sensitive to light and moisture over time
Conditions to Avoid: Prolonged heat above 150°C, open flames, sparks, sources of ignition, contact with aluminum or alkali metals
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, alkalis, white metals (aluminum, magnesium), sodium, potassium, concentrated nitric acid
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, carbon monoxide, chlorine gas
Polymerization: Does not undergo hazardous polymerization
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, incidental ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 2,629 mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 (rat, 4hr): approx. 5,000 ppm
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure may lead to effects in liver, kidneys, nervous system
Carcinogenicity: Classified as possibly carcinogenic (IARC Group 2A, NTP anticipated human carcinogen, EPA likely carcinogen)
Symptoms of Overexposure: Dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, impaired coordination, irritation of mucous membranes, unconsciousness in extreme cases
Sensitization: Not reported as a sensitizer
Mutagenicity: Some evidence in laboratory settings, mainly in vitro
Other Health Effects: Possible risk of reproductive toxicity, effects largely associated with chronic high-level exposures
Medical Surveillance: Periodic health checks for those regularly working with this solvent
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms, toxic to fish at concentrations above 3 mg/L, can persist and bioaccumulate
Persistence and Degradability: Resistant to microbial breakdown, evaporates from water or soil surfaces, slow breakdown in atmosphere (half-life about several weeks)
Bioaccumulation Potential: Moderate, accumulates in some aquatic species
Mobility in Soil: Relatively mobile, can migrate to groundwater, detected in water supplies near contamination sites
Other Environmental Effects: Not readily biodegradable, classified as priority pollutant (EPA), impacts drinking water if persistent contamination occurs, requires site monitoring and remediation efforts where spills take place
Waste Handling: Treat as hazardous, dispose of at approved chemical waste facility, do not discharge into drains, soil, or waterways
Container Disposal: Rinse and triple-container empty, remove or deface labels before disposal, recycle or landfill in accordance with local guidance
Recommended Treatment: High-temperature incineration with regulatory oversight
Regulatory Requirements: Listed under RCRA as U210 (hazardous waste), subject to CERCLA cleanup, TSCA controls for handling, storage, and disposal
Contaminated Packaging: Handle as hazardous material, comply with professional waste management operations and licensing
UN Number: UN1897
Proper Shipping Name: Tetrachloroethylene
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Labeling Requirements: Toxic, marine pollutant, keep containers upright and secure, clearly marked
Special Provisions: Emergency Response Guide 160 for spill or leak event
Packaging Instructions: Follow DOT, IMDG, IATA standards for drums, tanks, and bulk shipments
Transport Precautions: Avoid transport with incompatible chemicals, keep cool, ventilated, upright, and away from sources of ignition or heat
US Federal: OSHA hazardous chemical, listed on TSCA inventory, RCRA U210, CERCLA reportable quantity 100 pounds, subject to SARA 313 (Toxic Release Inventory reporting)
State Regulations: California Proposition 65 listed (cancer), state-specific air and water regulations
International: EU REACH registered, classified as hazardous according to CLP/GHS, included in IARC, NTP, and WHO carcinogen lists, regulated transport under ADR/RID/IMDG/IATA
Canada: WHMIS Class D2A (Carcinogenicity, chronic toxicity), on DSL/NDSL list
Workplace Labelling: Hazard communication standards require clear hazard information, safety instructions, and first aid details at point of use
Disposal and release controls: Must follow Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and local authority rules for emissions, effluent, and waste
