page_title: Carbon tetrachloride
section_title: Historic uses
hierarchical_section_title: Carbon tetrachloride / Historic uses
caption_attribution_description: Feuerlöscher aus den 1930er-Jahren
context_page_description: Carbon tetrachloride, also known by many other names is an organic compound with the chemical formula CCl₄. It is a colourless liquid with a "sweet" smell that can be detected at low levels. It has practically no flammability at lower temperatures. It was formerly widely used in fire extinguishers, as a precursor to refrigerants and as a cleaning agent, but has since been phased out because of toxicity and safety concerns. Exposure to high concentrations of carbon tetrachloride can affect the central nervous system and degenerate the liver and kidneys. Prolonged exposure can be fatal.
context_section_description: Carbon tetrachloride was widely used as a dry cleaning solvent, as a refrigerant, and in lava lamps. In case of the latter, carbon tetrachloride is a key ingredient that adds weight to the otherwise buoyant wax.
caption: A brass Pyrene carbon-tetrachloride fire extinguisher
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