1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane

Synonyms

Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2,2-; 1,1,2,2-Czterochloroetan [Polish]; 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloorethaan [Dutch]; 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloraethan [German]; 1,1,2,2-Tetrachlorethane [French]; 1,1,2,2-Tetracloroetano [Italian]; 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-dichloroethane; Acetosal; Acetylene tetrachloride; Bonoform; Cellon; Dichloro-2,2-dichloroethane; Ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-; s-Tetrachloroethane; TCE (ambiguous); Tetrachlorethane; Tetrachloroethane; Tetrachloroethane (VAN); Tetrachlorure d'acetylene [French]; Westron; [ChemIDplus] Boroform; F 130; F 130 (halocarbon); sym-Tetrachloroethane; Symmetrical tetrachloroethane; TCA; TCE; 1,1,2,2-TCE; [CAMEO] UN1702

Category

Chlorinated Aliphatics

Description

Colorless to pale-yellow liquid with a pungent, chloroform-like odor; [NIOSH] Heavy liquid with a sweetish suffocating odor like chloroform; [Merck Index] Clear colorless liquid; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Used in synthesis of organic chemicals; used in the past as a solvent for degreasing and extracting; [ACGIH] Used as a nonflammable solvent for fats, oils, waxes, resins, cellulose acetate, rubber, copal, phosphorus, and sulfur, as a solvent in certain types of Friedel-Crafts reactions or phthalic anhydride condensations, to make paints, varnishes, rust removers, trichloroethylene, and other chlorinated hydrocarbons with two carbon atoms, in soil sterilization, weed killer, and insecticide formulations, in the determination of theobromine in cacao, as immersion fluid in crystallography, and to produce pathological changes in gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidneys in the laboratory; [Merck Index] Other uses include alcohol denaturant, fumigant, dry cleaning agent, in photographic film, cement, and to make artificial silk, leather, and pearls; [NTP] Currently only produced and consumed on site in closed systems for the synthesis of other chlorinated hydrocarbons; [Reference #1]

Comments

Many cases of occupational toxic hepatitis were reported in the past. [ACGIH] At high enough concentrations, can induce lacrimation, narcosis, and liver damage; [CAMEO] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause CNS depression and impaired function; May cause kidney and liver injury; Can be absorbed through skin; [ICSC] No evidence of carcinogenicity in mice or rats; [NTP] Highly toxic to humans by acute exposure, mainly targeting the liver and kidney; May also cause nervous system and hematological system injury; Lack of data and conflicting results do not allow for assessment of reproductive or developmental toxicity; [Reference #1] May cause irritation; Toxic by ingestion; Highly toxic by inhalation and skin absorption; Targets the nerves, liver, and blood; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]

Not found in any pesticide products registered in the US; [NPIRS]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Yes

1 ppm

5 ppm

1 ppm

100 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: A 30­minute exposure to 146 ppm has caused vertigo, irritation of the mucous membranes, sense of pressure in the head, and fatigue; the same effects were noted after a 10­minute exposure to 335 ppm [Lehmann et al. 1936; Negherbon 1959].

5.74 mm Hg

0.23 ppm

Odor Threshold High

7.9 ppm

LCLo (rat) = 1,000 ppm/4hr

Explanatory Notes

Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 7.3 ppm); VP from HSDB;

Reference Link #2

Yes

Acute solvent syndrome

Occupational hepatotoxin (principal effect)

Yes

Possible (2b)

Confirmed Animal

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Encephalopathy, chronic solvent
• Hepatitis, chemical
• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Metal Degreasing
• Painting (Solvents)
• Photographic Processing