OLS : Record

RECORD NUMBER: 30 OF 493

Main Title

Air Pollution Assessment of Tetrachloroethylene.

Author

CORP Author

Mitre Corp., McLean, Va.;Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, N.C. Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.

Year Published

1976

Report Number

MTR-7143; EPA-68-02-1495;

Stock Number

PB-256 731

Subjects

Air pollution; Tetrachloroethylene; Air pollution control; Waste disposal; Chemical industry; Industrial hygiene; Assessment; Toxicity; Physical properties; Chemical properties; Material handling; Chlorine organic compounds; Physiological effects; Research; Concentration(Composition); Sources; Solvents; Effluents; Ventilation; Maintenance; Indoor air pollution; Air pollution effects(Humans); Air pollution effects(Animals); Environmental chemical substitutes; Carcinogens; Stationary sources

Holdings

Library		Call Number	Additional Info	Location	Date Modified
NTIS		PB-256 731	Most EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. Check with individual libraries about paper copy.	NTIS	06/23/1988

Collation

99p

Abstract

Tetrachloroethylene, commonly known as perchloroethylene, is a synthetic halogenated hydrocarbon with excellent solvent properties. The primary physiological effect of tetrachloroethylene inhalation is central nervous system depression with loss of consciousness and death occurring at high concentrations. Liver damage has also been reported but only at or near lethal levels. The probability of environmental contamination is greatest at dry cleaning facilities where heated solvent vapors may be released to the atmosphere. Although adequate technology for the prevention of these losses is available, only 25% of the dry-cleaning establishments use such control. At metal degreasing facilities proper equipment design and adequate ventilation are sufficiently effective in maintaining safe vapor levels. The high volatility and low solubility of tetrachloroethylene are responsible for the entry of the solvent into the atmosphere and the primary mode of transport for tetrachloroethylene photodegrades in sunlight with a half life of 2 days and is therefore not expected to accumulate in the environment. Concentrations in the ambient air over the highly industrialized Los Angeles Basin averaged 1.25 ppb but levels over rural areas and the open ocean averaged only 20 ppt.

Supplementary Notes