Where is trichloroethylene used

The U. Although some dry cleaners used TCE in the past, most dry cleaners now use tetrachloroethylene perchloroethylene or 1,1,1-trichloroethane. In the workplace, TCE is seldom present as a pure substance. Industrial grade TCE contains small amounts of stabilizers in the form of antioxidants or acid receptors; total chemical impurities usually do not exceed 0.

Because of its widespread use, TCE has become a common environmental contaminant. Contamination results from:. In the atmosphere, TCE is destroyed by photooxidation, with a half-life of days during the summer months and approximately 2 weeks in cold climates during the winter. This relatively short half-life significantly limits the transport of TCE in air; however, the continual volatilization of TCE from emission sources or contaminated surface waters ensures its persistence in air.

The average TCE level detected in samples collected from ambient air in the Norwegian Arctic between and was 0. This compares to mean TCE concentrations of 0. Indoor air concentrations have ranged from 0.

TCE has been identified in at least of the 1, sites proposed for inclusion on the U. According to U. EPA TCE releases into the environment have ranged from It can also move from water under the ground into rivers or lakes and then quickly move into the air.

TCE can evaporate from the polluted soil and groundwater and rise toward the ground surface. If these TCE vapors come to a basement as they travel to the surface, they may enter through cracks in the foundation, around pipes, or through a sump or drain system.

In this way, the vapors enter buildings and contaminate indoor air. This process, when pollution moves from air spaces in soil to indoor air, is called vapor intrusion. Exposure can result in effects to the immune and reproductive systems, liver, kidneys, central nervous system, and may affect fetal development during pregnancy. Long term exposures to TCE can increase the risk of kidney cancer. There is also evidence that TCE exposure can increase the risk for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and liver cancer.

TCE and Drinking Water. TCE and Public Drinking Water Systems The Consumer Confidence Report , which is required to report the contaminants in your public water supply, is available to community members from your local water utility. TCE and Vapor Intrusion. Childhood Cancer Genomics. Study Findings. Metastatic Cancer Research. Intramural Research. Extramural Research. Cancer Research Workforce. Partners in Cancer Research. What Are Cancer Research Studies.

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