Trichloroethylene

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

Eye Contact: Flush eyes thoroughly with water for several minutes.  Remove contact lenses after the initial 1-2 minutes and continue flushing for several additional minutes.  If effects occur, consult a physician, preferably an ophthalmologist.  

Skin Contact: Remove material from skin immediately by washing with soap and plenty of water.  Remove contaminated clothing and shoes while washing.  Seek medical attention if irritation persists. Wash clothing before reuse.  Discard items which cannot be decontaminated, including leather articles such as shoes, belts and watchbands.  

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air.  If not breathing, give artificial respiration; if by mouth to mouth use rescuer protection (pocket mask, etc).  If breathing is difficult, oxygen should be administered by qualified personnel.  Call a physician or transport to a medical facility.  

Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Call a physician and/or transport to emergency facility immediately.  

Notes to Physician: Because rapid absorption may occur through the lungs if aspirated and cause systemic effects, the decision of whether to induce vomiting or not should be made by a physician.  If lavage is performed, suggest endotracheal and/or esophageal control.  Danger from lung aspiration must be weighed against toxicity when considering emptying the stomach.  Exposure may increase "myocardial irritability". Do not administer sympathomimetic drugs such as epinephrine unless absolutely necessary.  Alcohol consumed before or after exposure may increase adverse effects.  No specific antidote.  Treatment of exposure should be directed at the control of symptoms and the clinical condition of the patient.  

Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure: Skin contact may aggravate preexisting dermatitis.

Fire-fighting measures

Extinguishing Media: Water fog or fine spray.  Dry chemical fire extinguishers.  Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.  Foam.  Water fog, applied gently may be used as a blanket for fire extinguishment.  

Fire Fighting Procedures: Keep people away.  Isolate fire and deny unnecessary entry.  Stay upwind.  Keep out of low areas where gases (fumes) can accumulate.  Burning liquids may be moved by flushing with water to protect personnel and minimize property damage.  Water fog, applied gently may be used as a blanket for fire extinguishment.  Contain fire water run-off if possible. Fire water run-off, if not contained, may cause environmental damage.  Review the "Accidental Release Measures" and the "Ecological Information" sections of  the SDS.  

Special Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and protective fire fighting clothing (includes fire fighting helmet, coat, trousers, boots, and gloves).  If protective equipment is not available or not used, fight fire from a protected location or safe distance.  

Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Container may vent and/or rupture due to fire.  Although this material does not have a flash point, it can burn at room temperature.  Vapors are heavier than air and may travel a long distance and accumulate in low lying areas.  

Hazardous Combustion Products: During a fire, smoke may contain the original material in addition to combustion products of varying composition which may be toxic and/or irritating.  Combustion products may include and are not limited to:  Hydrogen chloride.  Carbon monoxide.  Carbon dioxide.  Combustion products may include trace amounts of:  Phosgene.  Chlorine.  

Accidental release measures

Steps to be Taken if Material is Released or Spilled: Small spills:  Contain spilled material if possible.  Absorb with materials such as:  Vermiculite.  Bentonite.  Sawdust.  Collect in suitable and properly labeled containers.  Large spills:  Dike area to contain spill.  Pump into suitable and properly labeled containers.  Suitable containers include:  Metal drums.  See Section "Disposal Considerations" for additional information.  

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area.  Keep personnel out of low areas.  Keep personnel out of confined or poorly ventilated areas.  Keep upwind of spill.  Ventilate area of leak or spill.  Only trained and properly protected personnel must be involved in clean-up operations.  Confined space entry procedures must be followed before entering the area.  Use appropriate safety equipment. For additional information, refer to Section :Exposure Controls and Personal Protection".  Refer to Section "Handling, for additional precautionary measures"

Environmental Precautions: Prevent from entering into soil, ditches, sewers, waterways and/or groundwater. See Section "Ecological Information.  

Handling and storage

General Handling: Handling in closed systems is recommended.  Avoid breathing vapor.  Do not swallow.  Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing.  Wash thoroughly after handling.  Keep container closed.  Use with adequate ventilation.  Containers, even those that have been emptied, can contain vapors. Do not cut, drill, grind, weld, or perform similar operations on or near empty containers.  Do not enter confined spaces unless adequately ventilated.  To avoid uncontrolled emissions, vent vapor from container to storage tank.  Vapors of this product are heavier than air and lethal concentrations of vapors can collect in low, confined and unventilated spaces such as tanks, pits, small rooms and even in equipment (degreasers) that is used for degreasing metal parts. Do not enter these confined spaces where vapors of this product are suspected unless special breathing apparatus is used and an observer is present for assistance.  When using do not eat, drink or smoke.  See Section EXPOSURE CONTROLS AND PERSONAL PROTECTION.  

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.  Store away from direct sunlight.  Do not store in:  Zinc.  Aluminum.  Aluminum alloys.  Plastic.  Product should not be packaged in aluminum aerosol cans or with finely divided aluminum or its alloys in an aerosol can.  Additional storage and handling information on this product may be obtained by calling your Dow sales or customer service contact.  Ask for a product brochure.  

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

UN1710

Shipping

SpecialProvisions

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:

UN1710

Shipping

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

UN1710

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

TRICHLOROETHYLENE

Chemical name:

TRICHLOROETHYLENE

Remarks

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

UN1710

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

TRICHLOROETHYLENE

Chemical name:

TRICHLOROETHYLENE

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

It is intended to alert the reader that inhalation may not be the only route of exposure and that measures to minimize dermal exposures should be considered.

Personal Protection

Eye/Face Protection: Use safety glasses.  Safety glasses should be consistent with EN 166 or equivalent.  If exposure causes eye discomfort, use a full-face respirator.  

Skin Protection: Use protective clothing chemically resistant to this material.  Selection of specific items such as face shield, boots, apron, or full body suit will depend on the task.  Remove contaminated clothing immediately, wash skin area with soap and water, and launder clothing before reuse or dispose of properly.  

Hand protection: Use chemical resistant gloves classified under Standard EN374: Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms.  Examples of preferred glove barrier materials include:  Viton.  Polyvinyl alcohol ("PVA").  Ethyl vinyl alcohol laminate ("EVAL").  Examples of acceptable glove barrier materials include:  Butyl rubber.  Neoprene.  Nitrile/butadiene rubber ("nitrile" or "NBR").  Avoid gloves made of:  Polyvinyl chloride ("PVC" or "vinyl").  When prolonged or frequently repeated contact may occur, a glove with a protection class of 4 or higher (breakthrough time greater than 120 minutes according to EN 374) is recommended.  When only brief contact is expected, a glove with a protection class of 1 or higher (breakthrough time greater than 10 minutes according to EN 374) is recommended.  NOTICE: The selection of a specific glove for a particular application and duration of use in a workplace should also take into account all relevant workplace factors such as, but not limited to: Other chemicals which may be handled, physical requirements (cut/puncture protection, dexterity, thermal protection), potential body reactions to glove materials, as well as the instructions/specifications provided by the glove supplier.  

Respiratory Protection: Atmospheric levels should be maintained below the exposure guideline.  When respiratory protection is required, use an approved air-purifying or positive-pressure supplied-air respirator depending on the potential airborne concentration.  For emergency and other conditions where the exposure guideline may be exceeded, use an approved positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus or positive-pressure air line with auxiliary self-contained air supply.  In confined or poorly ventilated areas, use an approved self-contained breathing apparatus or positive pressure air line with auxiliary self-contained air supply.  Use the following CE approved air-purifying respirator:  Organic vapor cartridge, type A (boiling point >65 ºC)  

Ingestion: Avoid ingestion of even very small amounts; do not consume or store food or tobacco in the work area; wash hands and face before smoking or eating.  

Engineering Controls

Ventilation: Provide general and/or local exhaust ventilation to control airborne levels below the exposure guidelines.  Lethal concentrations may exist in areas with poor ventilation.  

Stability and reactivity

Stability/Instability

Stable under recommended storage conditions.  See Storage, Section 7 of SDS.  

Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to elevated temperatures can cause product to decompose.  Avoid open flames, welding arcs, or other high temperature sources which induce thermal decomposition.  Avoid direct sunlight or ultraviolet sources.  

Incompatible Materials: Avoid contact with:  Strong bases.  Strong oxidizers.  Reaction with strong alkali metal hydroxides will form dichloroacetylene which can spontaneously ignite in air.  Avoid contact with metals such as:  Zinc powders.  Aluminum powders.  Magnesium powders.  Potassium.  Sodium.  Avoid prolonged contact with or storage in aluminum or its alloys.  Avoid unintended contact with:  Amines.  

Hazardous Polymerization

Will not occur.  

Thermal Decomposition

Decomposition products depend upon temperature, air supply and the presence of other materials.  Decomposition products can include and are not limited to:  Hydrogen chloride.  Decomposition products can include trace amounts of:  Chlorine.  Phosgene.  

Disposal considerations

DISPOSAL OF CONTACT WATER:  Process water in contact with solvent and/or water separators of cleaning or distillation equipment should be treated as hazardous waste.  Do not discharge water from water separators to drain.  This product, when being disposed of in its unused and uncontaminated state should be treated as a hazardous waste according to EC Directive 91/689/EEC.  Any disposal practices must be in compliance with all national and provincial laws and any municipal or local by-laws governing hazardous waste.  For used, contaminated and residual materials additional evaluations may be required.  Do not dump into any sewers, on the ground, or into any body of water.