| Agent Name |
Carbon tetrachloride |
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| Alternative Name |
Tetrachloromethane |
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| CAS Number |
56-23-5 |
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| Formula |
C-Cl4 |
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| Major Category |
Solvents |
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| Synonyms |
Carbon chloride; Carbon TET; Freon 10; Halon 104; Tetrachloromethane; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Chlorinated Aliphatic |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid with a characteristic ether-like odor; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in the past as dry-cleaning agent and fumigant; Currently used as a chemical intermediate and in small amounts as a spot cleaner; [ACGIH; LaDou, p. 510] Has been used as a metal degreaser, cleaning agent in the semiconductor industry, and a solvent for lacquers, oils, and resins; [HSDB] |
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| Comments |
May cause severe hepatic injury and secondary renal tubular necrosis. [LaDou, p. 511] Carbon tetrachloride is in the list of "Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation" published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers. |
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| Restricted |
EPA banned use as a pesticide except on encased museum specimens; [ATSDR Case Studies # 18] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
5 ppm |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
10 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
10 ppm, Ceiling(OSHA) = 25 ppm (200 ppm for 5-min peak in any 4 hrs.) |
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| MAK |
0.5 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
200 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Other human data: A severe case of poisoning was observed after a 3�hour exposure to concentrations ranging from 75 to 600 ppm and averaging about 210 ppm [Barnes and Jones 1967]. It has been reported that exposures to 1,000 to 2,000 ppm for 0.5 to 1 hour have caused human fatalities from acute kidney damage [AIHA 1961]. It has also been reported that a 30�minute exposure to about 300 ppm causes symptoms of intoxication [Kirk-Othmer 1964]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
91 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
140 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
584 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 8,000 ppm/4 hr |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 252 ppm); |
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| Half Life |
No reports found; [TDR, p. 293] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR - ToxFAQs - Carbon Tetrachloride |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
0: will not burn |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Primary |
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| Nephrotoxin |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Possible Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: CARBON TETRACHLORIDE
|
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