Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a nonflammable, colorless liquid with a sweet smell as well as a sweet, burning taste. It is used primarily as a solvent to remove grease from metal parts, however, it can also be found as an ingredient in adhesives, paint removers, typewriter correction fluids, and spot removers. Although trichloroethylene is not believed to be naturally occurring, it has been found in certain underground water sources and many surface waters as a result of its manufacture, use, and disposal. 

How You Are Exposed

It is possible to be exposed to TCE by breathing air in a home that has been contaminated with trichloroethylene vapors from shower water or products such as spot removers and typewriter correction fluid. Exposure is also possible by drinking, swimming, or showering in contaminated water or coming into contact with contaminated soil, perhaps near a hazardous waste facility. People that work in industries that make trichloroethylene or use it to wash grease from equipment may inhale it or allow it to come into contact with their skin. 

How Can Trichloroethylene Affect Your Health?

Breathing in small quantities of trichloroethylene may result in headaches, lung irritation, dizziness, poor coordination, and difficulty concentrating. Inhaling larger quantities of trichloroethylene can cause impaired heart function, unconsciousness, and even death. Exposure over long periods of time can lead to damage to the nerves, kidneys, and liver.  

Ingesting large quantities of trichloroethylene can cause nausea, liver damage, unconsciousness, impaired heart function, and even death. Drinking smaller quantities of the chemical over long periods of time may result in liver and kidney damage, decreased immune system function, and impaired fetal development in pregnant women.

Skin contact with trichloroethylene can result in skin rashes.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, trichloroethylene is “probably carcinogenic to humans” and animal studies have suggested that exposure to the chemical is linked to increased incidence of liver, kidney, and lung cancer.