Trichloroethylene (TCE)
TCE Resources
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a common solvent, widely used in vapor degreasing, as a chemical intermediate, as part of cleaning solvent mixtures and as a solvent in adhesives.
Evidence from animal and epidemiologic studies suggests that several reproductive and developmental toxicity end points may be associated with TCE exposure, including infertility in males and females, impaired fetal growth, and cardiac teratogenesis. The US Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry Public Health Statement for TCE, however, does not conclude that there is a direct relationship between exposure to TCE and an increased risk of reproductive effects.
Trichloroethylene is designated as a Higher Hazard Substance under TURA, which lowers the reporting threshold to 1,000lb/year, effective January 2008.
Information about Trichloroethylene prepared by the TURA Program
| Content Category | Publication Type | Title | Year | Description |
| Overview | Fact Sheet | Trichloroethylene Fact Sheet | 2008 | TURI Chemical Fact Sheets describe the hazards, exposure routes, uses and alternatives, and regulatory context for selected chemicals. |
| Policy | Policy Analysis | Trichloroethylene Policy Analysis | 2007 | TURA Policy Analyses are developed as background for state-level decision-making about individual chemicals and chemical classes. |
| Alternatives | Web Page | Ten Tips for Replacing Trichloroethylene (TCE) | Safer alternatives exist for nearly every use of trichloroethylene (TCE). The TURI Laboratory has helped more than two dozen companies identify and adopt safer alternatives. These 10 tips provide information for finding a replacement. | |
| Alternatives | Presentation | EPA TCE Workshop: Alternatives Assessment | 2014 | Methodology for identifying safer alternatives to TCE. |
| Alternatives | Presentation | EPA TCE Workshop: Evaluating Cold Cleaning Alternatives to TCE | 2014 | Description based on a semi conductor-electromagnetic and optical functions manufacturer. |
| Process Change | Case Study | Lightolier - Elimination of Trichloroethylene and Reduction of VOC Emissions | 1997 | Prepared by OTA, this case study demonstrates how Lightolier eliminated the use of approximately 1.25 million pounds of trichloroethylene. |
Information from other resources
| Source | Title | Year | Description |
| Federal | |||
| Environmental Health Perspectives | Human Health Effects of Trichloroethylene: Key Findings and Scientific Issues | 2013 | This assessment synthesizes and characterizes thousands of epidemiologic, experimental animal, and mechanistic studies, and addresses several key scientific issues through modeling of TCE toxicokinetics, meta-analyses of epidemiologic studies, and analyses of mechanistic data. |
| U.S. EPA | Fact Sheet: Trichloroethylene | 2016 | This overview includes sources, exposures, and health hazards. |
| State | |||
| Minnesota Department of Health | Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Your Health | An overview of TCE, including health concerns, sources, and other resources. | |
| Bureau of Toxic Substance Assessment New York State Department of Health | Trichloroethylene (TCE) In Indoor And Outdoor Air | 2015 | This fact sheet answers questions about health effects seen in humans exposed to TCE in air. |