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History of TCE

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Trichloroethylene: Toxicity and Health Risks

Part of the book series: Molecular and Integrative Toxicology ((MOLECUL))

Abstract

The use of trichloroethylene (TCE) spans a period beginning in the early twentieth century and continuing to the present day. Although the largest use of TCE in terms of volume was in the degreasing of metals, it was also used in dry cleaning, textile processing, food processing, medical applications, chemical production, and a variety of consumer products. The use and production of TCE evolved significantly over time in response to market conditions, historical events, economic climate, technology development, environmental regulations, toxicity concerns, and the availability of competing products. The spillage and disposal of TCE resulted in the contamination of countless groundwater supply wells, the cleanup of which will likely continue for decades to come.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    IUPAC, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, is recognized as the world authority on chemical nomenclature.

  2. 2.

    The most widely used vapor degreasing solvents other than TCE were PCE and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. The latter compound did not see significant use in vapor degreasing until roughly the mid-1960s due to difficulties with stabilization.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Engineering & Consulting Resources, Inc., 966, Acton, MA, 01720, USA

    Richard E. Doherty PE, LSP

Authors
  1. Richard E. Doherty PE, LSP
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Correspondence to Richard E. Doherty PE, LSP .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

    Kathleen M. Gilbert

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

    Sarah J. Blossom

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Doherty, R.E. (2014). History of TCE. In: Gilbert, K., Blossom, S. (eds) Trichloroethylene: Toxicity and Health Risks. Molecular and Integrative Toxicology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6311-4_1

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