Trichloroethylene

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Direct contact with liquid form is irritating to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Inhaled vapor has an anesthetic or narcotic effect at high concentrations. Exposure to flame or arc will cause slow burning and decomposition into phosgene and hydrochloric acid.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Skin Contact Yes Skin Absorption No Eye Contact Yes Inhalation Yes Ingestion Yes

Potential health effects

Exposure limits: Yes Irritant Yes Sensitization: No Teratogen: Yes Reproductive hazard: Yes Mutagen : Yes Synergistic effects: other agents that depress the central nervous system Eye effects: Trichloroethylene is irritating to the eyes. Skin effects: Irritating to the skin and mucosal tissues. Ingestion effects: Mildly toxic by ingestion with effects similar to inhalation. Inhalation effects: inhalation has an anesthetic or narcotic effect causing headache, dizziness, and possibly nausea. At higher Concentrations it can cause unconsciousness. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations has resulted in death from cardiac failure. Prolonged exposure above the exposure limits may result in toxicity to the liver and kidneys.