PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane CAS # 79-34-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

This Public Health Statement is the summary chapter from the Toxicological Profile for 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane. It is one in a series of Public Health Statements about hazardous substances and their 

health effects. A shorter version, the ToxFAQsTM, is also available. This information is important 

because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the 

dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are 

present. For more information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. 

____________________________________________________________________________________ 

This public health statement tells you about 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane and the effects of exposure to it. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the 

nation. These sites are then placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) and are targeted for long-term 

federal clean-up activities. 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane has been found in at least 329 of the 1,699 current 

or former NPL sites. Although the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not known, 

the possibility exists that the number of sites at which 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is found may increase in 

the future as more sites are evaluated. This information is important because these sites may be sources 

of exposure and exposure to this substance may be harmful. 

When a substance is released either from a large area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, 

such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. Such a release does not always lead to exposure. You 

can be exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, 

eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. 

If you are exposed to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, many factors will determine whether you will be harmed. 

These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with it. 

You must also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, 

lifestyle, and state of health. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane CAS # 79-34-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.1 WHAT IS 1,1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE? 

Description 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane is a synthetic, colorless, dense liquid that does not 

burn easily. 

It has a penetrating, sweet odor similar to chloroform. 

Uses 

 • Manufacturing 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane production has decreased significantly in the 

United States. In the past, it was used in large amounts to produce other 

chemicals and as an industrial solvent. 

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane was also used to separate fats and oils from other 

substances, to clean and degrease metals, and in paints and pesticides. 

Less toxic chemicals are now available to replace this solvent, and largescale commercial production has stopped, although some production still 

occurs. 

It is presently used as a chemical intermediate, and information about this 

use is limited. 

1.2 WHAT HAPPENS TO 1,1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE WHEN IT ENTERS THE 

ENVIRONMENT? 

Sources Most 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane released into the environment eventually 

moves into the air or groundwater. Most of the 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane 

released to soil or land will evaporate back to the air. 

If released on the land, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane does not tend to attach to 

soil particles. When released to surface water, much of the chemical will 

evaporate back to the air, while the remainder may break down due to 

reactions with water. Similar reactions can take place in soils and sediments.
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane CAS # 79-34-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

How 

1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane 

breaks down 

Most 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is expected to disappear from groundwater 

and air in about 1 year. 

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane breaks down by losing chlorine atoms. The 

resulting chemicals may also pose a health hazard. 

It has been estimated that 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane should not build up 

significantly in the bodies of fish or other aquatic organisms. 

1.3 HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO 1,1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE? 

General 

population 

Exposure of the general population to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is expected 

to be very low based on the low concentrations reported for this substance in 

the environment. 

Individuals located near hazardous waste sites and facilities where this 

substance is used may be exposed to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in 

contaminated air, water, or soil. 

Workplace When a chemical such as 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is used in making other 

chemicals, it is generally contained in closed automatic systems, which are 

not open to the air. Therefore, workers are not usually exposed to high 

levels of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane. 

1.4 HOW CAN 1,1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE ENTER AND LEAVE MY BODY? 

Enter your body 

 • Inhalation 

 • Ingestion 

 • Dermal contact 

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane can enter your body through the lungs. 

Most of the 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in food or water will rapidly enter the 

body through the digestive tract. 

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane can also enter your body through the skin. 

Leave your body Once in your body, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is transformed into other 

chemicals called metabolites. Most of these other chemicals leave the body 

in the breath or urine within few days. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane CAS # 79-34-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.5 HOW CAN 1,1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE AFFECT MY HEALTH? 

This section looks at studies concerning potential health effects in animal and human studies.

General 

population 

 • Inhalation 

 • Oral 

Breathing concentrated fumes of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (enough so that 

you notice its sickeningly sweet smell) can rapidly cause drowsiness, 

dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Most people recover from these effects 

once they are in fresh air. 

Breathing high levels of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane for a long time can cause 

liver damage. 

Drinking very large amounts of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane can cause shallow 

breathing, faint pulse, decreased blood pressure, and possibly 

unconsciousness. 

Laboratory 

animals 

 • Oral Oral exposure to very high doses of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane can result in 

fatigue, difficulty breathing, and unconsciousness. 

Lower dose levels can result in liver damage. 

Cancer An increase in liver tumors was observed in mice following oral exposure. 

The EPA determined that 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is a possible human 

carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 

determined that 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane is not classifiable as to human 

carcinogenicity. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane CAS # 79-34-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.6 HOW CAN 1,1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE AFFECT CHILDREN? 

This section discusses potential health effects in humans from exposures during the period from 

conception to maturity at 18 years of age. 

Effects in children There are no studies evaluating the effect of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane 

exposure on children or immature animals. It is likely that children would 

have the same health effects as adults. We do not know whether children 

would be more sensitive than adults to the effects of 

1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane. 

It is possible that children are less strongly affected than adults because the 

ability of their body to convert 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane into more harmful 

products is immature. 

Birth defects Some effects have been observed in laboratory animals born to females 

exposed to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane during pregnancy. This occurred at 

exposure levels that were also toxic to the mothers. 

Breast milk There is no information on levels of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in human 

breast milk. 

1.7 HOW CAN FAMILIES REDUCE THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO 1,1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE? 

Consumer 

products 

Families are not likely to be exposed to amounts of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane that are high enough to be a health concern because the chemical is 

no longer used in household products. 

It is possible that some old household products (such as cleaners, 

degreasers, and paints) contain small amounts of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane; 

these products should be kept out of reach from children and used 

according to manufacturer’s instructions. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane CAS # 79-34-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.8 IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO 

1,1,2,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE? 

Detecting 

exposure 

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane breakdown products (metabolites) can be 

measured in blood and urine; however, these metabolites are common to 

several types of compounds. 

Measuring 

exposure 

The detection of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane and/or its metabolites in your 

urine cannot be used to predict the kind of health effects that might develop 

from that exposure. 

1.9 WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE TO 

PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH? 

The federal government develops regulations and recommendations to protect public health. Regulations 

can be enforced by law. The EPA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are some federal agencies that develop regulations for toxic 

substances. Recommendations provide valuable guidelines to protect public health, but cannot be 

enforced by law. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the National 

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are two federal organizations that develop 

recommendations for toxic substances. 

Regulations and recommendations can be expressed as “not-to-exceed” levels, that is, levels of a toxic 

substance in air, water, soil, or food that do not exceed a critical value that is usually based on levels that 

affect animals; they are then adjusted to levels that will help protect humans. Sometimes these not-toexceed levels differ among federal organizations because they used different exposure times (an 8-hour 

workday or a 24-hour day), different animal studies, or other factors. 

Recommendations and regulations are also updated periodically as more information becomes available. 

For the most current information, check with the federal agency or organization that provides it. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane CAS # 79-34-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

Some regulations and recommendations for 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane include the following: 

Drinking water The EPA has determined that exposure to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in 

drinking water at a concentration of 0.04 mg/L for up to 10 days is not 

expected to cause any adverse effects in a child. 

The EPA has determined that lifetime exposure to 0.0003 mg/L 

1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in drinking water is not expected to cause any 

adverse effects. 

Workplace air OSHA set a legal limit of 5 ppm 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in air averaged 

over an 8-hour work day. 

1.10 WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION? 

If you have any more questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or 

environmental quality department, or contact ATSDR at the address and phone number below. 

ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health clinics. These clinics 

specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses that result from exposure to hazardous 

substances. 

Toxicological profiles are also available on-line at www.atsdr.cdc.gov and on CD-ROM. You may 

request a copy of the ATSDR ToxProfilesTM CD-ROM by calling the toll-free information and technical 

assistance number at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), by e-mail at cdcinfo@cdc.gov, or by writing 

to: 

 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

 Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine 

 1600 Clifton Road NE 

 Mailstop F-32 

 Atlanta, GA 30333 

 Fax: 1-770-488-4178 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane CAS # 79-34-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

Organizations for-profit may request copies of final Toxicological Profiles from the following: 

 National Technical Information Service (NTIS) 

 5285 Port Royal Road 

 Springfield, VA 22161 

 Phone: 1-800-553-6847 or 1-703-605-6000 

 Web site: http://www.ntis.gov/