Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
					Search
		×
			NIOSH
			NIOSH
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)


Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate





Tetrachloroethylene																				Related Pages
										May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
**CAS number:** 127–18–4
**NIOSH REL:** Minimize workplace exposure concentrations; NIOSH considers tetrachloroethylene to be a potential occupational carcinogen as defined by the OSHA carcinogen policy [29 CFR 1990].
**Current OSHA PEL:** 100 ppm TWA, 200 ppm CEILING,
300 ppm 5-minute MAXIMUM PEAK IN ANY 3 HOURS
**1989 OSHA PEL:** 25 ppm (170 mg/m3) TWA
**1993-1994 ACGIH TLV:** 25 ppm (170 mg/m3) TWA, 100 ppm (685 mg/m3) STEL, A3
**Description of substance:** Colorless liquid with a mild, chloroform-like odor.
**LEL**:. . Noncombustible Liquid
**Original (SCP) IDLH:** 500 ppm
**Basis for original (SCP) IDLH:** The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by Negherbon [1959] that a 95-minute exposure to 1,000 ppm produces slight drunkenness, but no narcosis [Rowe et al. 1952]. Negherbon [1959] also reported that a 20- to 30-minute exposure to 206 to 235 ppm causes dizziness in humans (along with eye irritation, sinus congestion, nasal discharge, and sleepiness) [Rowe et al. 1952]. An IDLH of 500 ppm is used to prevent disorientation during escape.
**Short-term exposure guidelines:** None developed
**ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:**
**Lethal concentration data:**

**Species**
    **Reference**
    **LC50** **(ppm)**
    **LCLo** **(ppm)**
    **Time**
    **Adjusted 0.5-hr** **LC (CF*)**
    **Derived value**Rat
    Carpenter et al. 1949
    4,000
    -----
    4 hr
    11,320 ppm (2.83)
    1,132 ppmMouse
    Friberg et al. 1953
    5,200
    -----
    4 hr
    14,716 ppm (2.83)
    1,472 ppmRat
    Pozzani et al. 1959
    4,964
    -----
    8 hr
    19,856 ppm (4.0)
    1,986 ppm*Note: Conversion factor (CF) was determined with "n" = 2.0 [ten Berge et al. 1986].
 **Human data:** It has been reported that 2,000 ppm caused slight narcosis in 5 minutes; 930-1185 ppm caused irritation of the eyes and throat, and marked dizziness after 2 minutes; 1,000 ppm caused slight drunkenness, but no narcosis after 95 minutes; 513-690 ppm caused eye, throat, and nose irritation, dizziness, loss of inhibition, and some incoordination after 10 minutes; 500 ppm for 2 hours caused slight discomfort; 206-356 ppm for 2 hours caused headache, burning of the eyes, sinus congestion, impaired coordination, and nausea; 206-235 ppm for 20-30 minutes caused eye irritation, sinus congestion, dizziness, and sleepiness; and 106 ppm caused only slight eye irritation [Negherbon 1959; Rowe et al. 1952].
 
 **Revised IDLH:** 150 ppm **Basis for revised IDLH:** The revised IDLH for tetrachloroethylene is 150 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [Negherbon 1959; Rowe et al. 1952] [Note: NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the "most protective" respirators be worn for tetrachloroethylene at any detectable concentration.]**REFERENCES:**
1. Carpenter CP, Smyth HF Jr, Pozzani UC [1949]. The assay of acute vapor toxicity and the grading and interpretation of results on 96 chemical compounds. J Ind Hyg Toxicol *31*:343-346.
2. Friberg L, Kylin B, Nystrom A [1953]. Toxicities of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene and Fujiwara’s pyridine-alkali reaction. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol *9*:303-312.
3. Negherbon WO [1959]. Handbook of toxicology. Vol. III. Insecticides, a compendium. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH: U.S. Air Force, Air Research and Development Command, Wright Air Development Center, Aero Medical Laboratory, WADC Technical Report 55-16, p. 737.
4. Pozzani UC, Weil CS, Carpenter CP [1959]. The toxicological basis of threshold limit values: 5. The experimental inhalation of vapor mixtures by rats, with notes upon the relationship between single dose inhalation and single dose oral data. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J *20*:364-369.
5. Rowe VK, McCollister DD, Spencer HC, Adams EM, Irish DD [1952]. Vapor toxicity of tetrachloroethylene for laboratory animals and human subjects. AMA Arch Ind Hyg Occup Med *5*:566-579.
6. ten Berge WF, Zwart A, Appelman LM [1986]. Concentration-time mortality response relationship of irritant and systematically acting vapours and gases. J Haz Mat *13*:301-309.

			
							
								Page last reviewed:  December 4, 2014						Content
							source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH Publications & Products
Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health (IDLH) Values
Table of IDLH Values
Criteria for Determining IDLH Values
Historical Documentation
Original (SCP) Values
Abbreviations for IDLH Documentation
Abbreviations for Journal Titles Follow NIOSH Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube
 NIOSH Homepage NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs
Contact NIOSH


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification/Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
					Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
					You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
					CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue