Tetrachloroethylene
Why in news?
- Tetrachloroethylene (also called perchloroethylene or PCE), a chemical widely used in dry cleaning and household products, has been linked to a tripling of the risk of significant liver diseases, including liver fibrosis, liver cancer, and liver failure.
- PCE exposure occurs through air, water contamination, and products like adhesives and spot cleaners.
- Tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene or perc (chemical formula C2Cl4),
- a non-flammable, stable, colorless, and dense liquid.
- Reacts with water to form dichloromethane and oxygen
- Insoluble or slightly soluble in water
- Nonflammable and chemically stable under normal conditions
- Exposure can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, and irritation of eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
- Widely used as a solvent in dry cleaning of fabrics
- Employed as a metal degreasing solvent in industry
- Used in adhesives, paint removers, inks, and electrical transformer cooling fluids
