National Pollutant Inventory

Substances

Tetrachloroethylene: Sources of emissions

Industry sources

The primary sources of tetrachloroethylene emissions are the industries that manufacture it or use it in production. Some of the industries that use it in production are dry cleaners, the chemical industry, rubber manufacturers, heavy equipment manufacturing (degreasing), electroplating facilities (degreasing), pulp and paper manufacture (for de-inking paper), the manufacturers of inks. These are emissions to the air unless there is a spill.

Diffuse sources, and industry sources included in diffuse emissions data

Other possible emitters of Tetrachloroethylene are degreasing operations, paint, varnish and lacquer removal, and consumer products containing Tetrachloroethylene. These are emissions to the air unless there is a spill.

Natural sources

Tetrachloroethylene does not occur naturally in the environment.

Transport sources

No major mobile sources, although it is possible to have emissions from clothes being transported from the dry cleaners.

Consumer products

Aerosol paints, agricultural chemicals, automotive chemicals, furniture polish and cleaners, hard surface cleaners, rug carpet and upholstery cleaners, lubricating greases and oils, paint and varnish removers and thinners, textile finishes, typewriter correction fluids and waterproofing compounds.

Key

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Factory. Credit: Michael Lindquist