# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Tetrachloroethylene | CAS 127-18-4
Cl2C=CCl2 | RTECS KX3850000
Synonyms & Trade Names Perchlorethylene, Perchloroethylene, Perk, Tetrachlorethylene | DOT ID & Guide 1897 160
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL: Ca Minimize workplace exposure concentrations. See Appendix A
OSHA PEL†: TWA 100 ppm C 200 ppm 300 ppm (5-minute maximum peak in any 3-hours)
IDLH Ca [150 ppm] | Conversion 1 ppm = 6.78 mg/m3
Physical Description Colorless liquid with a mild, chloroform-like odor.
MW: 165.8 | BP: 250°F | FRZ: -2°F | Sol: 0.02%
VP: 14 mmHg | IP: 9.32 eV |  | Sp.Gr: 1.62
Fl.P: NA | UEL: NA | LEL: NA |
Noncombustible Liquid, but decomposes in a fire to hydrogen chloride and phosgene.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Strong oxidizers; chemically-active metals such as lithium, beryllium & barium; caustic soda; sodium hydroxide; potash
Measurement Methods NIOSH 1003; OSHA 1001
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: Prevent skin contact Eyes: Prevent eye contact Wash skin: When contaminated Remove: When wet or contaminated Change: No recommendation Provide: Eyewash, Quick drench | First Aid (See procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately Skin: Soap wash promptly Breathing: Respiratory support Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Irritation eyes, skin, nose, throat, respiratory system; nausea; flush face, neck; dizziness, incoordination; headache, drowsiness; skin erythema (skin redness); liver damage; [potential occupational carcinogen]
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system, liver, kidneys, central nervous system Cancer Site [in animals: liver tumors]
See also: INTRODUCTION