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Trichloroacetic Acid Chemical Sampling Information:
Trichloroacetic Acid

General Description
    Synonyms: TCA; Trichloroethanoic acid; Amchem grass killer; Konesta; Varitox; Aceto-caustin

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: T337

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 76-03-9

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: AJ7875000

    Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1839 153 (solid); 2564 153 (solution)

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Trichloroacetic Acid: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 1 ppm, 6.7 mg/m3 TWA; Appendix A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 1 ppm TWA
Health Factors
    International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 3, Not Classifiable as to its Carcinogenicity to Humans

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) carcinogenic classification: Group A3, Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Group C, Possible Human Carcinogen

    Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, nose, throat, respiratory system; cough, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), pulmonary edema (may be delayed); headache; sore throat; eye, skin burns; dermatitis; salivation, vomiting, diarrhea; INGES ACUTE: Burning sensation; abdominal pain; shock or collapse.

    Health Effects: Irritation-Eyes, Nose, Throat, Skin---Marked (HE14); Acute lung damage/edema (HE11).

    Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, GI tract

    Notes: 1) There is no OSHA PEL for TCA. 2) TCA is a metabolite of trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, methylchloroform, and the drug, chloral hydrate. 3) TCA has been measured in the urine, where higher levels were found in urban populations drinking chlorinated water. 4) TCA is a liver carcinogen in mice (but not in rats) with questionable relevance to humans.

    Date Last Revised: 07/14/2004

    Literature Basis:
    • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Trichloroacetic Acid.
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Trichloroacetic acid.
    • Bull R.J., et al.: Contribution of dichloroacetate and trichloroacetate to liver tumor induction in mice by trichloroethylene. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 182(1): 55-65, 2002.
    • Calafat, A.M., Kuklenyik, Z., Caudill, S.P. and Ashley, D.L.: Urinary levels of trichloroacetic acid, a disinfection by-product in chlorinated drinking water, in a human reference population. Environ. Health Perspect. 111(2): 151-154, 2003.
    • Forkert, P.-G., Lash, L., Tardif, R., Tanphaichitr, N., Vandevoort, C. and Moussa, M.: Identification of trichloroethylene and its metabolites in human seminal fluid of workers exposed to trichloroethylene. Drug Metab. Dispos. 31(3): 306-311, 2003.
    • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Trichloroacetic Acid. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp.2239-2241.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
    Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

    • sampling media: Silica Gel Tube (150/75 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
      analytical solvent: Deionized Water
      maximum volume: 10 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min
      current analytical method: High Performance Liquid Chromatography; HPLC/UV
      method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA PV2017)
      method classification: Partially Validated
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  Chemical Sampling Information:
  Trichloroacetic Acid
  General Description
  Exposure Limits
  Health Factors
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