Trichloroacetic acid
Agent Name
Trichloroacetic acid
CAS Number
76-03-9
Formula
C2-H-Cl3-O2
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
Acetic acid, trichloro-; Acetic acid, trichloro- (solid); Aceto-caustin; Acide trichloracetique [French]; Acido tricloroacetico [Italian]; Amchem grass killer; Konesta; Kyselina trichloroctova [Czech]; TCA; Tecane; Trichloorazijnzuur [Dutch]; Trichloracetic acid; Trichloressigsaeure [German]; Trichloroacetate; Trichloroacetic acid; Trichloroacetic acid (IUPAC); Trichloroethanoic acid; Trichloromethanecarboxylic acid; [ChemIDplus] UN1839; UN2564
Category
Organic Acids
Description
Colorless to white, crystalline solid with a sharp, pungent odor; [NIOSH] Deliquescent; [CHEMINFO]
Sources/Uses
Used as a medication (peeling agent to remove wrinkles) and in organic synthesis; Generated in chlorinated water that contains organic matter; The sodium salt of TCA is used as a pre- and post-emergent herbicide; [ACGIH]
Comments
May cause skin burns; [NIOSH] Highly corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] TLV is based on the potential to cause eye and respiratory tract irritation; Evidence of kidney and liver injury in high-dose animal studies; Mice with lifetime exposures to TCA in drinking water develop hepatic carcinomas (NOEL = 6 to 8 mg/kg); Not carcinogenic in rats; Oral LD50 (rats) = 3.32 g/kg; [ACGIH]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
0.5 ppm
MAK
0.2 ppm
Vapor Pressure
0.06 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
0.24 ppm
Odor Threshold High
0.375 ppm
Explanatory Notes
Recognition odor threshold from CHEMINFO; VP from HSDB;
Adverse Effects
Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns
IARC Carcinogen
Possible (2b)
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Animal
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.