Is carbon tetrachloride harmful to humans?
Human symptoms of acute (short-term) inhalation and oral exposures to carbon tetrachloride include headache, weakness, lethargy, nausea, and vomiting. Acute exposures to higher levels and chronic (long-term) inhalation or oral exposure to carbon tetrachloride produces liver and kidney damage in humans.
How toxic is CCl4?
CCl4 is regarded as highly toxic. It is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.
How much carbon tetrachloride is toxic?
► Carbon Tetrachloride can damage the liver and kidneys. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 10 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift; 25 ppm, not to be exceeded during any 15-minute work period; and 200 ppm as a 5-minute maximum peak in any 4 hour work period.
Is carbon tetrachloride a contaminant?
Carbon tetrachloride is measured in parts per billion (ppb). The federal government has established the safe drinking water standard (also called maximum contaminant level) for carbon tetrachloride as 5 ppb.
How is carbon tetrachloride poisoning treated?
There is no treatment for carbon tetrachloride poisoning.
How does CCl4 damage the liver?
Briefly, CCl4 can induce liver damage through the formation of reactive free radicals that can bind covalently to cellular macromolecules forming nucleic acid, protein and lipid adducts; through the induction of hypomethylated ribosomal RNA, resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis; and finally, CCl4 can affect …
What happens when CCl4 evaporates?
When carbon tetrachloride is exposed to the air it quickly evaporates (changes from a liquid to a gas). Because of past and present releases, very low “background levels” of carbon tetrachloride are found in air, water, and soil.
What is tetrachloride used for?
Carbon tetrachloride is a colorless organic solvent with a sweet odor. It does not occur naturally and has been manufactured for use as a dry cleaning solvent, degreasing agent, refrigerant, fumigant, in fire extinguishers and for lacquers and varnishes.
How can you reduce the risk of exposure to carbon tetrachloride?
What factors limit use or exposure to carbon tetrachloride? At work, reduce exposure by following health and safety rules. Use respirators and other personal protective equipment. The general population should avoid places that make or use carbon tetrachloride or waste sites contaminated with it.
How long does carbon tetrachloride stay in the atmosphere?
❏ It evaporates quickly surface water. ❏ Only a small amount sticks to soil particles; the rest evaporates or moves into the groundwater. ❏ It is very stable in air (lifetime 30-100 years). ❏ It can be broken down or transformed in soil and water within several days.
What are the symptoms of exposure to carbon tetrachloride?
Human symptoms of acute (short-term) inhalation and oral exposures to carbon tetrachloride include headache, weakness, lethargy, nausea, and vomiting. Acute exposures to higher levels and chronic (long-term) inhalation or oral exposure to carbon tetrachloride produces liver and kidney damage in humans.
What is the chemical formula for carbon tetrachloride?
Carbon tetrachloride PubChem CID 5943 Structure Find Similar Structures Chemical Safety Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary (LCSS Molecular Formula CCl4 Synonyms CARBON TETRACHLORIDE Tetrachloromethane
Where can you find carbon tetrachloride in the air?
It is also called carbon chloride, methane tetrachloride, perchloromethane, tetrachloroethane, or benziform.Carbon tetrachloride is most often found in the air as a colorless gas. It is not flammable and does not dissolve in water very easily.
Is the compound carbon tetrachloride carcinogenic to humans?
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified this compound in Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans. In organic chemistry, carbon tetrachloride serves as a source of chlorine in the Appel reaction .