Toxic substances list: trichloroethylene

According to the 1993 Priority Substances List Assessment Report, Trichloroethylene (TCE) was primarily used as a solvent in the vapour-degreasing and cold-cleaning of fabricated metal parts, and in smaller amounts in dry-cleaning operations, paints and paint removers, and various household products. Domestic consumption was supplied by importation. Due to the dispersive and non-destructive nature of its uses, the majority of the trichloroethylene consumed was expected to enter the Canadian environment, primarily the atmosphere. Trichloroethylene had been detected in ambient air and in the air inside homes in Canada, as well as, occasionally, in drinking water and surface waters across the country. It had also been detected in groundwaters as a result of inappropriate disposal.

CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) registry number: 79-01-6

Risk assessment

• Priority Substances List Assessment Report
• Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances. It is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:
  a) have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity.
  c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Source

This substance was identified to enter the environment from the following source:

• Solvent Degreasing

Strategic options report

Trichloroethylene is regulated by the Solvent Degreasing Regulations, based on the key recommendations from the 1996 report of stakeholder consultations on the Strategic Options for the Management of Toxic Substances of Trichloroethylene and Tetrachloroethylene in Solvent Degreasing. Please contact produits-products@ec.gc.ca to request a copy.

Risk management tools

Tools developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Solvent Degreasing Regulations
• Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Environmental and Human Health - Trichloroethylene
• Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Environmental and Human Health – Tetrachloroethylene 

Other information

• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) - Information Centre
• National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) Program - ECCC Data Catalogue

Contact

Substances Management Information Line
Chemicals Management Plan
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3

Telephone: 1-800-567-1999  (in Canada) or 819-938-3232
Email: substances@ec.gc.ca

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