Carbon tetrachloride

Agent Name
Carbon tetrachloride
Alternative Name
Tetrachloromethane
CAS Number
56-23-5
Formula
C-Cl4
Major Category
Solvents
Carbon tetrachloride formula graphical representation
Synonyms
Carbon chloride; Carbon TET; Freon 10; Halon 104; Tetrachloromethane; [NIOSH]
Category
Chlorinated Aliphatics
Description
Colorless liquid with a characteristic ether-like odor; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used in the past as dry-cleaning agent and fumigant; Currently used as a chemical intermediate and in small amounts as a spot cleaner; [ACGIH; LaDou, p. 552] Has been used as a metal degreaser, cleaning agent in the semiconductor industry, and a solvent for lacquers, oils, and resins; [HSDB]
Comments
May cause severe hepatic injury and secondary renal tubular necrosis. [LaDou, p. 553] Carbon tetrachloride is in the list of "Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation" published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers.
Restricted
EPA banned use as a pesticide except on encased museum specimens; [ATSDR Case Studies # 18]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
5 ppm
STEL (ACGIH)
10 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
10 ppm, Ceiling(OSHA) = 25 ppm (200 ppm for 5-min peak in any 4 hrs.)
MAK
0.5 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
200 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Other human data: A severe case of poisoning was observed after a 3­hour exposure to concentrations ranging from 75 to 600 ppm and averaging about 210 ppm [Barnes and Jones 1967]. It has been reported that exposures to 1,000 to 2,000 ppm for 0.5 to 1 hour have caused human fatalities from acute kidney damage [AIHA 1961]. It has also been reported that a 30­minute exposure to about 300 ppm causes symptoms of intoxication [Kirk-Othmer 1964].
Vapor Pressure
115 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
140 ppm
Odor Threshold High
584 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 8,000 ppm/4 hr
Explanatory Notes
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 252 ppm); VP from HSDB;
Half Life
No reports found; [TDR, p. 293]
NFPA
will not burn
ERPG-1
20 ppm
ERPG-2
100 ppm
ERPG-3
750 ppm

Adverse Effects

Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
Hepatotoxin
Occupational hepatotoxin (principal effect)
Nephrotoxin
Yes
IARC Carcinogen
Possible (2b)
NTP Carcinogen
Anticipated human carcinogen
ACGIH Carcinogen
Suspected Human

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure: