Trichloroethylene

Definition

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a widely used industrial solvent. It is a volatile, colourless liquid with a sweet odour (similar to chloroform). It is mainly used for steam degreasing and cold cleaning of manufactured metal parts (80-95% of consumption). Other applications include industrial dry cleaning, printing, printing ink production, extraction processes, paint production and textile printing.

Predominant sources of emissions

Contaminated water can be a source of indoor exposure because it can volatilise rapidly from surface water through showering or the use of washing machines and dishwashers, for example. Contaminated soil can also contribute to TCE concentrations in ambient air through vapour intrusion (when TCE in soil gas enters dwellings through cracks in foundations). Dermal exposure can contribute to total exposure, especially through the use of detergent products or showering. In addition, the use of products where TCE is used as a solvent can led to high concentrations in indoor air.

Legislation and intervals

According to the World Health Organization, since there is sufficient evidence that TCE is a genotoxic carcinogen, all indoor exposures are considered relevant and no threshold can be determined.