Biomaterial Database

Chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents. 2004

Sarah R Armstrong, and Laura C Green

Cambridge Environmental Inc., 58 Charles Street, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA. armstrong@cambridgeenvironmental.com

Chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents, such as trichloroethylene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane, have been used widely in many industries because of their ready ability to dissolve oils, greases, and other materials, their low acute toxicity, and their non-flammability. Although these materials share certain toxicologic, functional, and chemical similarities, important differences exist. These differences largely explain why certain solvents, once common, are no longer in use and why others have become more widely used over time. This article reviews the properties, toxicologic effects of interest, workplace limits, and use history of the most common chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008452	Maximum Allowable Concentration	The maximum exposure to a biologically active physical or chemical agent that is allowed during an 8-hour period (a workday) in a population of workers, or during a 24-hour period in the general population, which does not appear to cause appreciable harm, whether immediate or delayed for any period, in the target population. (From Lewis Dictionary of Toxicology, 1st ed)	Maximum Permissible Exposure Level,MPEL,Maximum Permissible Exposure Concentration,Allowable Concentration, Maximum,Allowable Concentrations, Maximum,Concentration, Maximum Allowable,Concentrations, Maximum Allowable,MPELs,Maximum Allowable Concentrations
D008752	Methylene Chloride	A chlorinated hydrocarbon that has been used as an inhalation anesthetic and acts as a narcotic in high concentrations. Its primary use is as a solvent in manufacturing and food technology.	Dichloromethane,Methylene Bichloride,Methylene Dichloride,Solaesthin,Bichloride, Methylene,Chloride, Methylene,Dichloride, Methylene
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006843	Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated	Hydrocarbon compounds with one or more of the hydrogens replaced by CHLORINE.	Chlorinated Hydrocarbon,Chlorinated Hydrocarbons,Organochlorine Compound,Chlorine Compounds, Organic,Organochlorine Compounds,Compound, Organochlorine,Compounds, Organic Chlorine,Compounds, Organochlorine,Hydrocarbon, Chlorinated,Organic Chlorine Compounds
D012997	Solvents	Liquids that dissolve other substances (solutes), generally solids, without any change in chemical composition, as, water containing sugar. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Solvent
D013750	Tetrachloroethylene	A chlorinated hydrocarbon used as an industrial solvent and cooling liquid in electrical transformers. It is a potential carcinogen.	Perchloroethylene,Perchlorethylene,Tetrachlorethylene,Tetrachloroethene
D014240	Trichloroethanes	Chlorinated ethanes which are used extensively as industrial solvents. They have been utilized in numerous home-use products including spot remover preparations and inhalant decongestant sprays. These compounds cause central nervous system and cardiovascular depression and are hepatotoxic. Include 1,1,1- and 1,1,2-isomers.
D014241	Trichloroethylene	A highly volatile inhalation anesthetic used mainly in short surgical procedures where light anesthesia with good analgesia is required. It is also used as an industrial solvent. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of the vapor can lead to cardiotoxicity and neurological impairment.	Ethinyl Trichloride,Trichloroethene,Trielina,Trilene,Trichloride, Ethinyl
D014481	United States	A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D016273	Occupational Exposure	The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents that occurs as a result of one's occupation.	Exposure, Occupational,Exposures, Occupational,Occupational Exposures