Trichloroethylene (CAS 79-01-6): storage and disposal
Trichloroethylene is a legacy solvent left in school, college and university stores, and it is classified as a carcinogen. It also causes skin and eye irritation, can cause an allergic skin reaction, may cause drowsiness or dizziness, is suspected of causing genetic defects and is harmful to aquatic life. Its stabiliser is the thing that keeps old stock in a reasonable state, and once that is gone the liquid starts to change.
- CAS number
- 79-01-6
- Form
- Liquid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code, laboratory stock
- 16 05 06*
Harmful or irritant
Serious health hazard
What to do this week
- Without moving anything that looks damaged, 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 anything listed under "Do not store with" on this page. If nothing is listed, that does not prove it is safe with everything.
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it can be included in a collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
Light and air are what trichloroethylene suffers from, so store it in its original dark or coated bottle with the cap firmly seated and the label facing out. It belongs in a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from food and drink areas. Keep it clear of sodium metal, potassium metal, lithium metal and sodium azide: alkali metals can react explosively with chlorinated solvents, and azides can form explosive azidoalkanes with halogenated solvents. Keep it from strong alkalis too, because they can convert it to dichloroacetylene, which is toxic and can ignite or explode. Old science department cupboards often have both in the same area, so look at what sits beside it before recording its location.
How to tell it has deteriorated
This solvent degrades with light and air once its stabiliser is lost. Over years the clear liquid can take on a colour, and the cap and any metal fitting nearby may corrode as acidic breakdown products form. Look for a pale yellow tint, a stained or etched cap liner and rust marks on the shelf. Clear glass bottles stored in a bright room age faster than coated or amber ones. An open bottle left for years is the likeliest to have changed, and one with a failing cap should be left on a tray.
How it is disposed of
We arrange this by specialist collection. We do not publish a drain or general waste route for any chemical. It is normally packed in a toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
How it leaves the site is straightforward: by specialist collection, packed with compatible chlorinated organics and never in a way that lets it escape. It must never be poured into a sink, drain or general waste, never left to evaporate, and nobody should try to treat or filter degraded stock. Give the collector the bottle size, level and condition, including any colour change, because degraded solvent and fresh stock are described differently. The usual list code is 16 05 06* for packed stock, and a loose discarded organic chemical can use 16 05 08*, though the producer classifies the waste.
| Usual EWC code, laboratory stock | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| Usually classed as hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it contains, and classifying it is the producer's duty. 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.
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- 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
Usually held as: legacy stock.
Tell us the container size and how many you hold. An estimate is enough to start with, and some items cannot be priced until someone has looked at them.
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.
- H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects.
- H350 May cause cancer.
- H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- 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.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- 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.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- 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.
- 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.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
- P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Our trichloroethylene has turned yellow. Is it dangerous?
It degrades with light and air once its stabiliser is lost, so colour change is a sign it has aged. It is classified as a carcinogen whatever its colour. Do not open it again, keep it on a tray and list it for collection.
Why does the bottle cap look corroded?
Breakdown of the solvent can attack metal fittings and cap liners over time. Treat it as a sign of long storage. Leave the cap in place, avoid handling the corroded area and tell the collector about the fault.
Is trichloroethylene still allowed in schools?
Whether you may use it does not rest on your risk assessment alone, because this solvent is subject to chemical use restrictions that depend on the use, and as a classified carcinogen it is a poor candidate for teaching stock. If you hold any legacy bottles, arrange specialist collection rather than keeping them.
