Tetrachloroethylene (CAS 127-18-4): storage and disposal
Tetrachloroethylene turns up in the oldest school, college and university stores as legacy stock, often in a heavy glass bottle. It is classified as a skin and eye irritant, can cause an allergic skin reaction, may cause drowsiness or dizziness, is suspected of causing cancer and is toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. It gives few visible signs of age, so each bottle is judged by its container and label.
- CAS number
- 127-18-4
- Form
- Liquid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Warning
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Harmful or irritant
Serious health hazard
Hazardous to the environment
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as toxic stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
Alkali metals and azides are what this chlorinated solvent must be kept apart from. Sodium metal, potassium metal and lithium metal can react explosively with it, and sodium azide can form explosive azidoalkanes with halogenated solvents. Keep it in a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas. A heavy glass bottle on a high shelf is a real handling risk, so move bottles to a low shelf on a tray rather than leaving them where they must be lifted overhead. Staff with skin allergies should avoid handling it.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Nothing about the liquid reliably shows its age, so the container and label tell the story. A clear, colourless liquid in an old bottle can still be the same material that arrived decades ago. Check for a glass stopper stuck in the neck, a dried or cracked cap liner, a label that has lifted or faded until the contents are in doubt, and a level lower than the mark. Rings on the shelf and a sweet smell around the cabinet mean the seal has failed. A bottle with an unreadable label should be left alone and described as unknown.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
A legacy bottle of tetrachloroethylene should leave your site only by specialist collection, grouped with compatible chlorinated organics. It must not be poured away, left open in a fume cupboard or moved to another bottle, and nobody should try to treat it. Its aquatic hazard is a particular reason a spill must never reach drainage. For packed stock the list code is 16 05 06*, and a loose discarded organic chemical not sent in a pack can use 16 05 08*. Record the size, level and any label doubt on the list.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- OxidiserToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- AcidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- Acetic acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Calcium hypochloriteToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Hydrochloric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Hydrogen peroxideToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Lithium metalAlkali metals can react explosively with chlorinated solvents.
- Nitric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Potassium metalAlkali metals can react explosively with chlorinated solvents.
- Potassium nitrateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
Show 4 more
- Potassium permanganateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Sodium azideAzides can form explosive azidoalkanes with halogenated solvents.
- Sodium metalAlkali metals can react explosively with chlorinated solvents.
- Sulfuric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: legacy stock.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H315 Causes skin irritation.
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
- H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- H351 Suspected of causing cancer.
- H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P391 Collect spillage.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P332+P317 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
- P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
- P337+P317 If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
How old can tetrachloroethylene be before it needs urgent attention?
It gives few visible signs of age, so there is no fixed point to watch for. Check the cap, stopper and label at each stock check, and arrange collection for any bottle that is leaking, unlabelled or no longer needed.
Can we leave a legacy bottle in the fume cupboard?
No. A fume cupboard is a working area, not a store. Move it to a locked cabinet on a tray, away from alkali metals and azides, and list it for specialist collection.
Is it still classified as a suspected carcinogen?
Yes, it is classified as suspected of causing cancer and as toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. It also irritates skin and eyes and can cause an allergic skin reaction, so handle only with suitable gloves.
