Trichloroethylene, commonly referred to as TCE, is an organic man-made solvent that has been utilized in various industries for decades. However, TCE’s popularity is steadily decreasing as more businesses are becoming aware of the dangers this chemical poses to human and environmental health. Read on to learn more about the traditional uses of this solvent and why TCE exposure is bad.  

Traditional Uses of Trichloroethylene 

TCE has commonly been used in commercial and industrial settings for an array of applications. Here are some of the most popular uses for this solvent: 

• Degreasing – Many companies all over the world use TCE as a degreasing agent to clean metal equipment and machinery. The solvent is particularly popular for vapor degreasing, since it is non-flammable and has a high boiling point.   

• Refrigerant production – The solvent is also used in the manufacturing of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants.  
• Extraction – In the textile industry, TCE has been used as an extraction solvent for the removal of waxes and oils from certain fabrics like wool and cotton.  

The Dangers of TCE Exposure 

It may come as no surprise that because it is a VOC solvent, TCE exposure can be potentially damaging to workers and may even affect others through contamination. These associated hazards have resulted in the banning of TCE use in many countries and recently in the state of Minnesota.  

Listed below are some of the hazards associated with trichloroethylene usage:  

• TCE is a known carcinogen that may cause liver cancer, kidney cancer, or lymphoma.  
• At moderate levels, it may cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, confusion, respiratory irritation, eye irritation, and loss of coordination.  
• At high levels, it may cause neurological damage, changes to the endocrine system, unconsciousness, or even death.  
• Additionally, the solvent has been found to contaminate groundwater and drinking water sources through improper waste disposal and industrial storage tank leaks.  

Overall, TCE exposure may result in multiple health issues in workers and end up costing companies even more when they must comply with many regulations. 

Luckily, many companies are switching to green solvent usage, especially for degreasing purposes. There are dozens of green options available for degreasing, from acetone-based to terpene-based solvents. These solvents are generally biodegradable, eco-friendly, safer for workers, and have fewer regulations on their usage.  

Interested in Switching to Safer Industrial Chemicals?  

Ecolink provides a selection of high-quality and eco-friendly industrial solvents. Many of our products are made to replace highly toxic solvents like TCE, ensuring the protection of workers’ health.  

Browse our products by clicking here, or reach out to Ecolink staff here for help finding the best chemicals for your business’s specific needs!

Although an effective and versatile solvent, trichloroethylene, also known as TCE, is slowly beginning to fade out of industrial use.  

The main reason for this solvent’s decline in popularity? Its toxicity. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the various uses of TCE, the dangers of this solvent, and why trichloroethylene substitutes are on the rise. 

Uses of Trichloroethylene 

This organic solvent has been utilized in various industries and commercial applications, such as:  

Metal Degreasing  

• The primary use of the solvent, around 80%, is for the degreasing of metal equipment. For many companies, TCE is the go-to solvent for vapor degreasing. Because it has a high boiling point and is non-flammable, the solvent is considered ideal for vapor degreasing.  

Extraction Processes  

• Many textile industries use TCE as an extraction solvent to remove fats, oils, and waxes from certain types of fabrics, such as cotton and wool.  

Refrigerant Manufacturing  

• TCE is also used in the production of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants.  

Additive  

• TCE has been added to various types of household products, such as cleaning wipes, carpet cleaners, paint removers, paint thinners, lubricants, adhesives, and typewriter correction fluids.  

Why Is TCE Being Phased Out by Certain Industries?  

Primarily, it is due to the negative health effects that TCE use can cause, particularly affecting workers who are consistently exposed to it:  

• The solvent is a known carcinogen and can potentially cause liver and kidney cancer, or even lymphoma.  
• Moderate exposure levels can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, loss of coordination, and respiratory irritation.  
• High exposure levels may cause liver damage, kidney damage, neurological damage, permanent cardiac issues, memory loss, unconsciousness, and even death.  
• Additionally, the solvent has been shown to contaminate groundwater and drinking water sources through improper disposal and storage tank leaks.  

Is There a Trichloroethylene Substitute?  

Those searching for a substitute that will effectively replace TCE without compromising worker and environmental safety are in luck, as there are now many green solvents available on the market that are specifically formulated to replace traditional hazardous solvents.  

Utilizing green solvents may also be more cost-effective in the long run, as there are fewer regulations associated with safer solvents than hazardous ones like TCE.  

Interested in Purchasing a Trichloroethylene Substitute?  

Here at Ecolink, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality environmentally preferred solvents for various industrial applications. Our products also ensure the safety of workers, as we prioritize replacing traditional highly toxic products.  

You can browse our selection of products here, or reach out to Ecolink staff here to help you find the best product for your specific needs.