Chloroform is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor and even a slightly sweet taste. Historically, it has been used as an inhaled anesthetic during surgery but today, it’s used to make other chemicals. It can also be formed in small quantities when chlorine is added to water.

How are you exposed?

Since chloroform doesn’t stick to soil very well, it can easily travel through it to contaminate groundwater. It also dissolves readily in water and lasts a long time in groundwater. You can become exposed to chloroform by drinking water or other beverages contaminated with it. Skin contact with chloroform or water that contains it (in swimming pools for instance) is also possible. Although chloroform does not seem to build up in great amounts in plants and animals, one can be exposed by eating foods that contain it. Chloroform also evaporates easily into air. Breathing indoor or outdoor air containing chloroform, especially in the workplace, is possible.

How can chloroform affect your heath?

Breathing about 900 parts of chloroform per million parts air (900 ppm) for a short time can result in dizziness, fatigue, and headache. Exposure to high levels of chloroform through food, water or air, for long periods of time may damage your liver and kidneys. Sores can also occur when chloroform touches your skin. The Department of Health and Human Services has determined that chloroform may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen.

Avoiding exposure: Tips and Alternatives:

The EPA requires that spills or accidental releases of 10 pounds or more of chloroform into the environment be reported to the EPA. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has set the maximum allowable concentration of chloroform in workplace air during an 8-hour workday in a 40-hour work week at 50 ppm. Being aware of these safety limits and your living/work surroundings can help you to minimize your exposure to chloroform.