Description

Trichloroethylene is an industrial solvent in the halogenated organic class of chemicals. It is a volatile organic compound (VOC). TCE is used to make consumer products such as some typewriter correction fluids, paint strippers, adhesives, spot removers, and rug-cleaning fluids.

Children can be exposed to TCE by breathing in its fumes from these products. They can also be exposed through contaminated water.

Trichloroethylene is one of the chemicals suspected of causing a cluster of childhood leukemia cases due to drinking water contamination in the town of Woburn, Massachusetts, in the early 1980s. The subsequent lawsuit against the polluting company was the subject of the 1995 book and 1998 film, A Civil Action.

TCE is used by industry to degrease metals and to produce refrigerants and PVC plastic (vinyl).

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, trichloroethylene is Not Available
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, trichloroethylene is Not Available
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), trichloroethylene is Not Available

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

This chemical is likely to cause cancer. It is considered a Probable Carcinogen by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or another agency.
Allergen
Neurotoxin = Can harm brain and central nervous system
Development Toxicant = Can interfere with normal development of a fetus or child

Other

If inhaled, may cause central nervous system effects, including headaches, dizziness, incoordination, euphoria, confusion and difficulty concentrating. At higher amounts, may cause unconsciousness and death.
At high acute exposure, TCE can cause irregular heart beats and potentially heart attack.
Possible links to birth defects such as heart, respiratory system, eye, and neural tube defects; cleft palate, and hearing and speech impairment.
Cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has been associated with chronic exposure in some occupational studies. Possible link to childhood leukemia.
Eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Chronic exposure may induce skin allergy.
At moderate to high exposure may cause damage to some nerves of the head and face.

How Exposures Occur

Outdoor Air

Children breathe in traces of trichloroethylene from air polluted by industrial releases, primarily from metalworking and plastics facilities.

Drinking Water

Children may be exposed by drinking water contaminated with trichloroethylene. TCE is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Consumer Products

Children can inhale trichloroethylene from some typewriter correction fluids, paint strippers, adhesives, spot removers, and rug-cleaning fluids, when in use.

Some Foods

TCE has been found in a variety of foods, with the highest levels found in meats and margarine.

Significant Statistics

Trichloroethylene has been found in at least 852 of the 1,430 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ToxFAQs for Trichloroethylene, CAS# 79-01-6. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, September 1997.http://atsdr1.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts19.html

Approximately 10 percent of the U.S. population may have detectable levels of trichloroethylene in their blood, measurements obtained in the third U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggest.

“Trichloroethylene, CAS No.79-01-6: Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen.” Tenth Report on Carcinogens. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program, December 2002. http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/roc/tenth/profiles/s180tce.pdf

At least 25 million pounds of trichloroethylene were released into the U.S. environment by manufacturing plants in 1995.

Solutions

How to detect trichloroethylene

Before purchasing or using, read labels or request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for all paints, adhesives, stains, and other products that may contain solvents. Some MSDS are available on the internet at Vermont Safety Information Resources Inc. You can also request an MSDS from the manufacturer.
In Drinking Water: Trichloroethylene is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires that community water systems monitor trichloroethylene levels, and make public when levels exceed the set Maximum Contamination Level (MCL). The MCL for trichloroethylene has also been set at 5 parts per billion of water.

Community water systems are required to produce annual consumer confidence reports and mail them to every water customer.

If your water source is a well, your water is not monitored for contaminants as is required for public water supplies by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Private testing of the water is necessary.

Even if your water comes from a community water system, contaminant levels can vary from house to house. You can have your water tested by sending samples to a certified laboratory.

You can search for water quality reports from your water provider, obtain information on well water testing and find a list of state-certified drinking water laboratories at the U.S. EPA’s Office of Water’s website or call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 800-426-4791.

How to minimize exposure to trichloroethylene

Avoid using products containing TCE, especially paint strippers and carpet cleaners, around children or if you are pregnant. Ventilate well when using such products by opening windows and using fans. This is particularly important for extensive use as in carpet cleaning or paint stripping.

Alternatives

Choose least toxic and low-or no-VOC cleaning products, paints, sealants, paint thinners, adhesives, etc.
Solvent-free carpet and rug cleaners are available. You can also steam clean carpets without using a cleaner, or using a small amount (1/4 cup or less) of any mild, general purpose cleaner.
For stripping paint, make a thick paste with mineral washing soda (found in the laundry section of the supermarket) and water, wearing gloves to avoid skin contact with the soda, which can sting. Apply to surface with a putty knife. Leave on for several hours and keep damp by misting with water from a spray bottle. Rinse and peel off the paint.
Look for typewriter correction fluids that are water-based and/or do not bear a cancer warning label. Liquid Paper^® brand is TCE-free.

For More information

Books, articles, factsheets and reports

Montague, Peter. "Popular Solvent, TCE, Seems To Cause Serious Birth Defects In Animals, Humans," Rachel’s Environment and Health News, No. 267 (January 8, 1992).

http://www.rachel.org/bulletin/index.cfm?issue_ID=866

Seppa, N. "Solvents' Link to Birth Defects Bolstered," Science News, Vol. 155, No. 13 (March 27, 1999).

http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc99/3_27_99/fob2.htm

Other government agencies

Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road E-29
Atlanta, GA 30333
800-447-1544

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20460-0003
EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline:800-426-4791

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/

Nonprofit organizations

Natural Resources Defense Council

40 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-727-2700

http://www.nrdc.org

Other websites

Environmental Defense Chemical Scorecard

http://www.scorecard.org