What happens to chloroform when it enters the environment?
• Chloroform evaporates easily into the air. • Most of the chloroform in air breaks down eventually, but it is a slow process. • The breakdown products in air include phosgene and hydrogen chloride, which are both toxic. • It doesn’t stick to soil very well and can travel through soil to groundwater. • Chloroform dissolves easily in water and some of it may break down to other chemicals. • Chloroform lasts a long time in groundwater. • Chloroform doesn’t appear to build up in great amounts in plants and animals.
