Tetrachloroethylene

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: Maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation of the patient.  If burn is present, treat as any thermal burn, after decontamination.  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.  Emergency Personnel Protection: First Aid responders should pay attention to self-protection and use the recommended protective clothing (chemical resistant gloves, splash protection).  If potential for exposure exists refer to Section "personal protection"  

Fire-fighting measures

Extinguishing Media: This material does not burn. If exposed to fire from another source, use suitable extinguishing agent for that fire.  Fire Fighting Procedures: Keep people away.  Isolate fire and deny unnecessary entry.  Do not use direct water stream.  May spread fire.  This material does not burn. Fight fire for other material that is burning.  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: Violent steam generation or eruption may occur upon application of direct water stream to hot liquids.  Hazardous Combustion Products: Fire conditions may cause this product to decompose.  Refer to section Thermal Decomposition.  

Accidental release measures

Steps to be Taken if Material is Released or Spilled: Small spills:  Absorb with materials such as:  Bentonite.  Sawdust.  Clay.  Large spills:  Contain spilled material if possible.  Recover spilled material if possible.  Collect in suitable and properly labeled containers.  Suitable containers include:  Metal drums.  See Section Disposal Considerations, for additional information.  Personal Precautions: Only trained and properly protected personnel must be involved in clean-up operations.  Keep personnel out of low areas.  Keep upwind of spill.  Ventilate area of leak or spill.  Use appropriate safety equipment. For additional information, refer to Section  Exposure Controls and Personal Protection.  Environmental Precautions: Material will sink in water.  Prevent from entering into soil, ditches, sewers, waterways and/or groundwater. See Section Ecological Information.  

Handling and storage

General Handling: Avoid breathing vapor.  Avoid contact with skin and clothing.  Do not swallow.  Keep container closed.  Use with adequate ventilation.  Wash thoroughly after handling.  Do not enter confined spaces unless adequately ventilated.  See Section EXPOSURE CONTROLS AND PERSONAL PROTECTION.  Storage Store under cover in a dry, clean, cool, well ventilated place away from sunlight.  Do not handle or store near an open flame, heat, or sources of ignition.  Keep container tightly closed when not in use.  Do not store in:  Aluminum.  Aluminum alloys.  Additional storage and handling information on this product may be obtained by calling your sales or customer service contact.  Ask for a product brochure.  Store in a dry place.  Keep container tightly closed and in a well-ventilated place.  Store away from direct sunlight or ultraviolet light.  Do not store in:  Aluminum.  Aluminum alloys.  Additional storage and handling information on this product may be obtained by calling your sales or customer service contact.  

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

UN1897

Shipping

Labels:

Tremcard Number: 61S1897

SpecialProvisions

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

UN number:

UN1897

Shipping

Labels:

Kemler Code: 60Tremcard Number: 61S1897

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

UN1897

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

TETRACHLOROETHYLENE

Chemical name:

TETRACHLOROETHYLENE

Marine pollutant

Remarks

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

UN1897

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

TETRACHLOROETHYLENE

Chemical name:

TETRACHLOROETHYLENE

Labels:

Cargo Packing Instruction: 612Passenger Packing Instruction: 605

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Eye/Face Protection: Use safety glasses (with side shields).  Safety glasses (with side shields) should be consistent with EN 166 or equivalent.  Skin Protection: Use protective clothing chemically resistant to this material.  Selection of specific items such as face shield, boots, apron, or full bodsuit will depend on the task.  Hand protection: Use chemical resistant gloves classified under Standard EN374: Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms.  Examples of preferred glove barrier materials include:  Ethyl vinyl alcohol laminate ("EVAL").  Polyvinyl alcohol ("PVA").  Viton.  Examples of acceptable glove barrier materials include:  Butyl rubber.  When prolonged or frequently repeated contact may occur, a glove with a protection class of 5 or higher (breakthrough time greater than 240 minutes according to EN 374) is recommended.  When only brief contact is expected, a glove with a protection class of 3 or higher (breakthrough time greater  than 60 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: Respiratory protection should be worn when there is a potential to exceed the exposure limit requirements or guidelines.  If there are no applicable exposure limit requirements or guidelines, use an approved respirator.  Selection of air-purifying or positive-pressure supplied-air will depend on the specific operation and the potential airborne concentration of the material.  For emergency conditions, use an approved positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus.  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: Use good personal hygiene.  Do not consume or store food in the work area.  Wash hands before smoking or eating.  Engineering ControlsVentilation: Use engineering controls to maintain airborne level below exposure limit requirements or guidelines.  If there are no applicable exposure limit requirements or guidelines, use only in enclosed systems or with local exhaust ventilation.  Exhaust systems should be designed to move the air away from the source of vapor/aerosol generation and people working at this point.  Lethal concentrations may exist in areas with poor ventilation.  

Stability and reactivity

Stability/InstabilityStable under recommended storage conditions.  See Storage Section 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.  Avoid contact with metals such as:  Zinc powders.  Aluminum powders.  Magnesium powders.  Potassium.  Sodium.  Avoid unintended contact with:  Amines.  Hazardous PolymerizationWill not occur.  Thermal DecompositionDecomposition 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

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.  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.