Tetrachloroethylene: Health effects
Description
In high concentrations, in air, with closed or poorly ventilated areas, single exposures to tetrachloroethylene may cause central nervous system effects leading to dizziness, headache, sleepiness, confusion, nausea, difficulty in speaking or walking, and possibly unconsciousness and death. It is a narcotic at high levels. Adverse liver and kidney effects have been observed in workers that had long term exposure to tetrachloroethylene. It will also defat the skin causing irritation and dryness. Worksafe Australia reports tetrachloroethylene is a 'suspected carcinogen'.
Entering the body
Tetrachloroethylene evaporates quickly and so the most common exposure is from breathing air containing it. It may also enter the body if we eat or drink food or water that has been contaminated. It does not pass through the skin.
Exposure
Workers in the industries that use or produce tetrachloroethylene are at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to tetrachloroethylene by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using tetrachloroethylene, or drinking water from contaminated water. Consumers may also be exposed to tetrachloroethylene when using consumer products containing tetrachloroethylene, or by spending time in dry cleaning facilities using tetrachloroethylene or by bringing dry cleaned clothes into their homes.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia:
For tetrachloroethylene, it is allowable for workers to be exposed to concentrations of 50 parts per million over an eight hour workshift, with concentrations not greater than 150 parts per million.
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC and ARMCANZ, 1996):
Maximum of 0.05 mg/L (i.e. 0.00005 g/L)
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