Perchloroethylene

Also called Perc, PCE, Tetrachloroethylene

Toxic Effects of Perchloroethylene (Source: ATSDR)

High levels of tetrachloroethylene in the air can cause dizziness, headache, sleepiness, confusion, nausea, difficulty in speaking and walking, and possibly unconsciousness and death. Skin irritation may result from repeated or extended contact with the chemical.

The health effects of breathing air or drinking water that have low levels of tetrachloroethylene are not known. Several studies suggest that some women who work in dry cleaning industries have more menstrual problems and spontaneous abortions than women not exposed to tetrachloroethylene. We don't know if tetrachloroethylene was responsible because other causes were not considered. The chemical doesn't seem to cause birth defects in children whose parents are exposed to it

Tetrachloroethylene can be toxic to the fetuses of rats and mice. In one study, minor changes in the brain and behavior were seen in the offspring of rats exposed to very high levels of tetrachloroethylene during pregnancy. This single study, however, is not sufficient to draw any conclusions about the effects of tetrachloroethylene on human development or reproduction.

Animal studies using high levels of tetrachloroethylene show that it can cause liver and kidney damage.

How likely is tetrachloroethylene to cause cancer?

The Department of Health and Human Services has determined that tetrachloroethylene may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen. This is based on long-term animal studies using high levels of tetrachloroethylene which resulted in liver and kidney cancers. This chemical has not been shown to cause cancer in people.

Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to tetrachloroethylene?

Tests are available to measure tetrachloroethylene in the breath, blood, and urine. It can be detected in the breath for weeks following a heavy exposure. Some of the breakdown products in blood and urine can be identified for only short periods after exposure.

Because other chemicals produce the same breakdown products in the urine and blood, these test can't determine if you have been exposed only to tetrachloroethylene. Although the tests are simple to perform, they aren't routinely available in your doctor's office.

Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that children should not have more than 2.0 parts tetrachloroethylene per million parts of water (2 ppm) in 1 day or more than 1.4 ppm per day for long-term exposure. Adults should not have more than 5 ppm in the drinking water for long-term exposure. EPA requires industry to immediately report a spill of more than 100 pounds of tetrachloroethylene to the National Response Center.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limits the amount of tetrachloroethylene in workroom air to 100 ppm for an 8-hour workday over a 40-hour workweek.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that tetrachloroethylene be handled as a potential carcinogen and states that workplace air levels should be as low as possible.

Glossary

Carcinogen: Substance that can cause cancer.

Long-term: Generally means longer than one year.

PPM: Parts per million.

Short-term: Generally means less than 90 days.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1993. Toxicological profile for tetrachloroethylene. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.

Where can I get more information?

ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

For more information, contact:

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
• Division of Toxicology
• 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-29
• Atlanta, GA 30333
• Phone: 404-639-6000