Perchloroethylene

Toxic Effects

Acute effects
- Irritation of eye, nose and throat.
- Central Nervous System: Massive exposure can cause dizziness, headache, nausea, incoordination, coma and death.
Chronic effects
- Central Nervous System: Non-specific complaints like headache, dizziness, fatigue and incoordination.
- Skin: Prolonged or repeated skin contact with liquid PCE can cause irritation and even burns.
- Liver: Cirrhosis has been observed in workers exposed to high levels.
- Note: When there is mixed exposure to trichloroethylene and other solvents there may be combined effects on target organs.

Dry cleaning in laundries;
- Degreasing and cleaning of metal parts and equipment in metalworking, automotive, aircraft, aerospace industries and shipyards;
- Cleaning of lenses in the optical industry;
- Used as a solvent in manufacture and use of printing ink, varnishes, adhesives, polishes, rubber coatings and silicones.

Pre-placement medical examinations: within three months of exposure
- Clinical examination with emphasis on the central nervous system, skin and liver
  - Tests:
    - i. Mid of workweek end-of-shift urinary trichloroacetic acid (U-TCA) determination (results to be corrected for specific gravity or urinary creatinine concentration).
    - ii. Liver function tests (serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase).
    - For exposures that are irregular or intermittent, the test should be done at the end of the exposure period
  - Unfit for PCE exposure:
    - i. Workers with liver diseases
    - ii. Alcoholics and cases of solvent abuse
Periodic medical examinations: every 12 months
- Clinical examination with particular emphasis on the central nervous system, skin and liver
- Mid of workweek end-of-shift urinary trichloroacetic acid (U-TCA) determination (results to be corrected for specific gravity or urinary creatinine concentration)
- For exposures that are irregular or intermittent, the test should be done at the end of the exposure period.

Pre-placement Medical Exam
1	Clinical examination	$50
2	Mid-week end-of shift urinary trichloroacetic acid (U-TCA)	$120
3	Liver function tests	$35

12 monthly Periodic Medical Exam
1	Clinical examination	$50
2	Mid-week end-of shift urinary trichloroacetic acid (U-TCA)	$120
3	Liver function tests (if U-TCA exceeds Action level)	$35