Table of Contents
TCE Trichloroethylene ; Physical Properties of Trichloroethylene ;
Trichloroethylene is a colorless, volatile liquid with a sweet odor. It is used as a solvent in the dry-cleaning of fabrics and as an degreasing agent in the manufacturing of metal parts.
Physical properties of trichloroethylene include a boiling point of 81.5 degrees Celsius, a density of 1.47 grams per cubic centimeter, and a vapor pressure of 2,000 torr at 25 degrees Celsius.
Use of Trichloroethylene
Trichloroethylene is a colorless, non-flammable liquid with a sweet, chloroform-like odor. It is used as a solvent in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, and other industrial products. It is also used as an anesthetic and in the cleaning of metal parts. Trichloroethylene can cause liver damage, and it is a suspected human carcinogen.
Trichloroethylene Structure
Trichloroethylene is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. It is used as a solvent in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, and other products.
The Chemical Reaction of Trichloroethylene and Sodium Hydroxide
When trichloroethylene (C2Cl3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) react, they form sodium trichloroethylene (NaC2Cl3), water (H2O), and hydrogen chloride gas (HCl).
C2Cl3 (l) + 3 NaOH (aq) –> NaC2Cl3 (s) + 3 H2O (l) + HCl (g)
The Industrial History of TCE
In 1876, the first commercial use of TCE was recorded. In the early 1900s, TCE began to be used as a degreasing agent in the metalworking industry. In the 1940s and 1950s, TCE began to be used as an anesthetic and a solvent in the printing industry. In the 1960s, TCE began to be used as a solvent in the rubber and plastics industry. In the 1970s, TCE began to be used as a solvent in the dry cleaning industry. In the 1980s, TCE began to be used as a solvent in the metal degreasing industry. In the 1990s, TCE began to be used as a solvent in the semiconductor industry.
The Environmental History of TCE
In the early 1970s, concerns were raised about the environmental and health effects of TCE. In the early 1990s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified TCE as a “hazardous air pollutant.” In 2001, the EPA issued a “Final Rule” to regulate TCE emissions from certain industrial facilities. In 2006, the EPA issued a “Final Rule” to regulate TCE emissions from certain consumer products.
TCE in Water and Soil
TCE is a potential environmental contaminant that can exist in water and soil. TCE is a volatile organic compound that is soluble in water and can move through soil. TCE can also volatilize and migrate into the air.
How are People Exposed to TCE?
People can be exposed to TCE by breathing it in, eating it, or drinking it.
TCE and Human Health
TCE is a volatile organic compound that is found in many common products, including paints, lacquers, adhesives, and degreasing agents. It is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor.
TCE is a known human carcinogen. Inhalation of TCE vapors can cause cancer of the liver, kidney, and blood. TCE is also a reproductive toxin and can cause birth defects.
