What are the main health hazards associated with breathing in Tetrachloroethylene?
Short-term exposure can cause irritation of the nose and throat and central nervous system (CNS) depression with symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, giddiness, headache, nausea, loss of coordination, confusion and unconsciousness. Deaths have occurred following exposure to very high vapour concentrations. Tetrachloroethylene is heavier than air and can accumulate in low lying areas. Exposure to 100-200 ppm for 5-7 hours has produced headaches, drowsiness, dizziness and sleepiness. Nose and throat irritation have been reported at 200 ppm and above. Exposure to 280 ppm for 2 hours or 600 ppm for 10 minutes has produced incoordination. Intolerable irritation of the nose and throat has been observed at 1000 ppm and above. Faintness and dizziness were experienced during 2-hour exposures to 1000-1500 ppm. A 5-7 minute exposure to 2000 ppm caused volunteers to feel as though they were going to collapse. A few deaths have been reported due to CNS depression and irregular heart beat. In one
