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Tox Town - Environmental health concerns and toxic chemicals where you live, work, and play
Perchloroethyleneen español
Perchloroethylene is used in dry cleaning. Long-term exposure may affect health.

What is perchloroethylene?

Perchloroethylene is a colorless, nonflammable liquid with a sweet, ether-like odor. It is also called perchlorethylene, tetrachloroethylene, tetrachlorethylene, PCE, or PERC. The chemical formula for perchloroethylene is C2Cl4

Perchloroethylene is a manufactured chemical that is primarily used for dry cleaning fabrics and degreasing metals. It is also used to make other chemicals, including chlorofluorocarbons, and rubber coatings; as an insulating fluid and cooling gas in electrical transformers; and as a scouring, sizing, and desizing agent in textiles. It is an ingredient in aerosol products, solvent soaps, printing inks, adhesives, sealants, paint removers, paper coatings, leather treatments, automotive cleaners, polishes, lubricants, and silicones. It is also an ingredient in some consumer products, including typewriter correction fluid, adhesives, spot removers, wood cleaners, and shoe polish.

How might I be exposed to perchloroethylene?

You can be exposed to perchloroethylene if you dry clean your clothes, which will release small amounts of perchloroethylene into the air after they are dry cleaned, or if you use a laundromat that contains dry cleaning machines. You can also be exposed if you use products that contain perchloroethylene, such as fabric finishers, adhesives, spot removers, typewriter correction fluid, shoe polish, and wood cleaners. 

Exposure to low levels of perchloroethylene in the air and water can occur because of industrial releases. There is more perchloroethylene in the air in urban and industrial areas than in rural and remote areas. You can be exposed to higher levels if you live or work close to dry cleaning facilities, chemical waste sites, or chemical storage areas where perchloroethylene has been stored. 

At work, you can be exposed to perchloroethylene if you work in a dry cleaning, metal degreasing, chemical production, rubber coating, or textile facility.

How can perchloroethylene affect my health?

Short-term exposure to high levels of perchloroethylene can affect the central nervous system, and cause unconsciousness and death. 

Perchloroethylene is listed as a substance "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" in the Eleventh Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program because long-term exposure to perchloroethylene can cause leukemia and cancer of the skin, colon, lung, larynx, bladder, and urogenital tract. 

Long-term exposure may also damage the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys; it can also cause respiratory failure, memory loss, confusion, and dry and cracked skin. If you are pregnant, long-term exposure to perchloroethylene may damage a developing fetus. 

Short-term exposure to high levels of perchloroethylene can cause buildup of fluid in the lungs, eye and respiratory irritation, severe shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, difficulty speaking and walking, and lightheadedness. 

Short-term exposure to low levels of perchloroethylene can cause dizziness, inebriation, sleepiness, and irritated eyes, nose, mouth, throat, and respiratory tract. Direct contact with perchloroethylene liquid or vapor can irritate and burn the skin, eyes, most, and throat. 

If you have a disease of the heart, liver, kidneys, or lungs, you will be more susceptible to the health effects of perchloroethylene. 

If you think your health has been affected by exposure to perchloroethylene, contact your health care professional.

For poisoning emergencies or questions about possible poisons, please contact your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.


More Links
Tetrachloroethylene (PERC). ToxFAQs. (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry)
Tetrachloroethylene. Haz-Map (National Library of Medicine)
Tetrachloroethylene. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (National Library of Medicine)
Tetrachloroethylene. Household Products Database (National Library of Medicine)
What is Perchloroethylene (Tetrachloroethylene or PCE)? (Navy Environmental Health Center) PDF Icon

Locations where Perchloroethylene may be found
City
City
Farm
Farm
Town
Town
U.S.-Mexico Border
U.S.-Mexico Border
Port
Port
Brownfield
Drinking Water
Factory
Homes
Offices and Stores
Outdoor Air
Park
River
School
Barn and Silo
Chemical Storage Tank
Drinking Water
Homes
Landfill
Outdoor Air
Shed
Drinking Water
Factory
Homes
Offices and Stores
Outdoor Air
Park
River
School
Auto Shop
Drinking Water
Homes
Illegal Dumps and Tire Piles
Maquiladora
Outdoor Air
Park
River
Stormwater and Sewage
Beach
Chemical Storage Tank
Coastal Brownfield
Cruise Ship
Drinking Water
Homes
Marina and Boats
Offices and Stores
Outdoor Air
River
Shipping
Storms and Floods
Stormwater and Sewage
Urban and Industrial Runoff

Last Updated: November 06, 2008

Interactive Graphic Neighborhoods City Farm Town US - Mexico Border Port