Print
Chemical Datasheet

TRICHLOROETHYLENE

6.1 - Poison

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 79-01-6   (TRICHLOROETHYLENE)
  • 1710
  • Poison
  • TCL
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Trichloroethylene
  • TRICHLOROETHYLENE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
1
2 0
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 1 Must be preheated before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A clear colorless volatile liquid having a chloroform-like odor. Denser than water and is slightly soluble in water. Noncombustible. Used as a solvent, fumigant, in the manufacture of other chemicals, and for many other uses.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Slightly soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic and irritating gases are produced in fire situations. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
INHALATION: symptoms range from irritation of the nose and throat to nausea, an attitude of irresponsibility, blurred vision, and finally disturbance of central nervous system resulting in cardiac failure. Chronic exposure may cause organic injury. INGESTION: symptoms similar to inhalation. SKIN: defatting action can cause dermatitis. EYES: slightly irritating sensation and lachrymation. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
It has been determined experimentally that mixtures of finely divided barium metal and a number of halogenated hydrocarbons possess an explosive capability. Specifically, impact sensitivity tests have shown that granular barium in contact with monofluorotrichloromethane, trichlorotrifluoroethane, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, or tetrachloroethylene can detonate (ASESB Pot. Incid. 39. 1968; Chem. Eng. News 46(9):38. 1968). It has been determined experimentally that a mixture of beryllium powder with carbon tetrachloride or with trichloroethylene will flash or spark on heavy impact (ASESB Pot. Incid. 39. 1968). A mixture of powdered magnesium with trichloroethylene or with carbon tetrachloride will flash or spark under heavy impact (ASESB Pot. Incid, 39. 1968).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbent listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 160 Polymerizable warning [Halogenated Solvents]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 160 Polymerizable warning [Halogenated Solvents]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.

LARGE FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam or water spray. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 160 Polymerizable warning [Halogenated Solvents]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

SMALL LIQUID SPILL: Pick up with sand, earth or other non-combustible absorbent material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Trichloroethylene:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Ethylene trichloride 79-01-6 Liquid imm >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
Trichloro ethylene 79-01-6 Liquid imm >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.
"imm" indicates immediate; having a normalized breakthrough time of 10 minutes or less.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Volatile chemicals have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting which increases the medical problems. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital.

OTHER: Since this chemical is a known or suspected carcinogen you should contact a physician for advice regarding the possible long term health effects and potential recommendation for medical monitoring. Recommendations from the physician will depend upon the specific compound, its chemical, physical and toxicity properties, the exposure level, length of exposure, and the route of exposure. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C2HCl3
Flash Point: greater than 200°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 12.5 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 90 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: 770°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -99°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 60 mmHg at 68°F ; 77 mmHg at 77°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 4.53 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.46 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 189°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 131.4 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 70°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 9.45 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 1000 ppm ; A potential occupational carcinogen. (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for Trichloroethylene (79-01-6)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 260 ppm 960 ppm 6100 ppm
30 minutes 180 ppm 620 ppm 6100 ppm
60 minutes 130 ppm 450 ppm 3800 ppm
4 hours 84 ppm 270 ppm 1500 ppm
8 hours 77 ppm 240 ppm 970 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Trichloroethylene (79-01-6) 100 ppm star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 500 ppm 5000 ppm
star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Trichloroethylene (79-01-6) 130 ppm 450 ppm 3800 ppm LEL = 80000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Trichloroethylene 79-01-6 100 pounds 313 U228

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names