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Tetrachloroethylene Chemical Sampling Information
Tetrachloroethylene

General Description
    Synonyms: Perchloroethylene

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 2020
    IMIS Name History: Tetrachloroethylene prior to 9/1/89; Perchloroethylene from 9/1/98 through 6/23/04; currently - Tetrachoroethylene.

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 127-18-4

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: KX3850000

    Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1897 160

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Tetrachloroethylene: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-2 Table -- 100 ppm TWA; Also, exposures shall not exceed 200 ppm (ceiling) with the following exception: exposures may exceed 200 ppm, but not more than 300 ppm (peak), for a single time period up to 5 minutes for any 3 hours.

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 100 ppm, 670 mg/m3 TWA

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 100 ppm, 670 mg/m3 TWA

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 25 ppm, 170 mg/m3 TWA; 100 ppm, 685 mg/m3 STEL; Appendix A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): Appendix A - NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens
Health Factors
    National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Reasonably Anticipated to be Human Carcinogen

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 2A, Probably Carcinogenic to Humans

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Group B/C, probable/possible human carcinogen

    NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 150 ppm

    Potential symptoms: Eye, nose, throat, respiratory system; coughing, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema; irritation; nausea; flushed face, neck; dizziness, incoordination; headache; drowsiness, unconsciousness; skin erythema, drying, cracking, mild to moderate burning sensation, dermatitis; liver damage; impaired color vision [potential occupational carcinogen] INGES ACUTE: Vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, loss of muscle control.

    Health Effects: Cumulative liver and CNS damage (HE3); Narcosis (HE8); Mutagen (HE2)

    Affected organs: Liver, kidneys, eyes, skin, respiratory system, CNS

    Notes: 1) Major exposure is to dry-cleaning workers, a group with excessive cancer mortality in some studies. 2) Exposure can be determined by measuring perchloroethylene in expired air, blood or urine; or the major metabolite in urine, trichloroacetic acid. Some metabolites may be toxic to the liver or kidneys.

    Date Last Revised: 04/26/2004

    Literature Basis:
    • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Tetrachloroethylene.
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO):Tetrachloroethylene.
    • EPA Air Toxics Website: Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
    • Gobba, F., Righi, E., Fantuzzi, G., Roccatto, L., Predieri, G., and Aggazzotti, G.: Perchloroethylene in alveolar air, blood, and urine as biologic indices of low-level exposure. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 45(11): 1152-1157, 2003.
    • Gobba, F., Righi, E., Fantuzzi, G., Predieri, G., Cavazzuti, L. and Aggazzotti, G.: Two-year evolution of perchloroethylene-induced color-vision loss. Arch. Environ. Health 53(3): 196-198, 1998.
    • Lash, L.H. and Parker, J.C.: Hepatic and renal toxicities associated with perchlorethylene. Pharmacol. Rev. 53(2): 177-208, 2001.
    • Mundt, K.A., Birk, T. and Burch, M.T.: Critical review of the epidemiological literature on occupational exposure to perchloroethylene and cancer. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 76(7): 473-491, 2003.
    • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Tetrachloroethylene. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 2166-2169.
    • Ruder, A.M., Ward, E.M. and Brown, D.P.: Mortality in dry-cleaning workers: an update. Am. J. Ind. Med. 39(2): 121-132, 2001.
    • Völkel, W., Friedewald, M., Lederer, E., Pähler, A., Parker, J. and Dekant, W.: Biotransformation of perchloroethylene: dose-dependent excretion of trichloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, and N-acetyl-S-(trichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine in rats and humans after inhalation. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 153(1): 20-27, 1998.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
    Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

    • sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
      analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
      alternative solvent: 99:1 Carbon Disulfide:Dimethylformamide
      maximum volume: 12 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (TWA)
      minimum time: >5 Minutes   maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Ceiling)
      minimum time: >1 Minute   maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Peak)
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
      method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1001)
      method classification: Fully Validated

    • sampling media: Diffusive Sampler (SKC 575-002 Passive Sampler)
      analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
      minimum time: ≤ 240 Minutes (TWA)
      minimum time: > 5 Minutes (Ceiling)
      minimum time: ≥ 5 Minutes (Peak)
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
      method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1001)
      method classification: Fully Validated

    On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: AUER/MSA
      model/type: Per-10, MSA P/N 487337, AUER P/N 5085-840
      sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
      upper measurement limit: 500 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 10 ppm
      overall uncertainty: unknown
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: AUER/MSA
      model/type: Per-5, MSA P/N 804429, AUER P/N 5085-865
      sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
      upper measurement limit: 200 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
      overall uncertainty: unknown
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Dräger
      model/type: Tetrachloroethylene 0.1/a, order no. 81 01551
      sampling information: 3/9 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 4/1 ppm
      detection limit: 0.5/0.2 ppm
      overall uncertainty: approximately 33%
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Dräger
      model/type: Tetrachloroethylene 2/a, order no. 81 01501
      sampling information: 1/5 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 300/40 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 20/2 ppm
      overall uncertainty: approximately 25%
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Dräger
      model/type: Tetrachloroethylene 10/b, order no. CH 30701
      sampling information: 3 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 500 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
      overall uncertainty: approximately 25%
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Gastec
      model/type: 133HA
      sampling information: 4 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 50 ppm
      detection limit: 0.05 ppm
      overall uncertainty: 16% for 0.2 to 10 ppm, 8% for 10 to 50 ppm
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Gastec
      model/type: 172
      sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 900 ppm
      detection limit: 0.5 ppm
      overall uncertainty: 16% for 20 to 100 ppm, 8% for 100 to 300 ppm
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Gastec
      model/type: 133M
      sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 250 ppm
      detection limit: 0.4 ppm
      overall uncertainty: 16% for 5 to 20 ppm, 8% for 20 to 100 ppm
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Gastec
      model/type: 133L
      sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 75 ppm
      detection limit: 0.4 ppm
      overall uncertainty: 16% for 2 to 5 ppm, 8% for 5 to 25 ppm
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Gastec
      model/type: 133LL
      sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 9 ppm
      detection limit: 0.05 ppm
      overall uncertainty: 16% for 0.2 to 1 ppm, 8% for 1 to 3 ppm
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube (diffusion-type)
      manufacturer: Gastec
      model/type: 133D
      sampling information: 1 to 8 hours
      upper measurement limit: 150 ppm
      detection limit: 3 ppm
      overall uncertainty: 25% for 25 to 50 ppm-h, 16% for 50 to 150 ppm-h
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
      model/type: 8014-135SA
      sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
      upper measurement limit: 300 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
      overall uncertainty: unknown
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
      model/type: 8014-243U
      sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
      upper measurement limit: 160 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
      overall uncertainty: unknown
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
      model/type: 8014-135SB
      sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
      upper measurement limit: 10 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 1 ppm
      overall uncertainty: unknown
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
      model/type: 8014-135SH
      sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
      upper measurement limit: 2%
      detection limit: approximately 0.05%
      overall uncertainty: unknown
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
* All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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  Chemical Sampling Information:
  Tetrachloro
ethylene
  General Description
  Exposure Limits
  Health Factors
  Monitoring
     
 
 

Page last updated: 01/31/2006

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