Is Trichloroethylene (TCE) safe for babies and kids?
Very high risk for kidsInfants are vulnerable to Trichloroethylene (TCE) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.
What is trichloroethylene (tce)?
The IUPAC name is 1,1,2-trichloroethene.
Also known as: 1,1,2-trichloroethene, TRICHLOROETHYLENE, Trichloroethene, Ethinyl trichloride.
- IUPAC name
- 1,1,2-trichloroethene
- CAS number
- 79-01-6
- Molecular formula
- C2HCl3
- Molecular weight
- 131.38 g/mol
- SMILES
- C(=C(Cl)Cl)Cl
- PubChem CID
- 6575
Risk for babies
Very high riskInfants are vulnerable to Trichloroethylene (TCE) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.
Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Very high riskOccupational and household exposure to Trichloroethylene (TCE) during pregnancy is associated with developmental toxicity. Solvents readily cross the placenta and can cause fetal growth restriction.
Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.
Regulatory consensus
26 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Trichloroethylene (TCE). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 2014 | Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) | Kidney cancer (clear cell renal cell carcinoma); also liver cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma; Monograph 106; upgraded from Group 2A |
| US EPA | 2011 | known to be carcinogenic to humans | EPA IRIS final assessment; carcinogenic to humans via all routes; kidney cancer primary; liver cancer, NHL, and cervical cancer also elevated; oral slope factor 0.004 per mg/kg-day; inhalation unit risk 4.0 × 10⁻⁷ per μg/m³ |
| EPA CTX / NIOSH | — | potential occupational carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IRIS | — | Carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / NTP RoC | — | Known Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 1 - Carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / Health Canada | — | Group II: CEPA (probably carcinogenic to humans) | |
| EPA CTX / Health Canada | — | Group II: CEPA (probably carcinogenic to humans) Group 2A: IARC (probably carcinogenic to humans) | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 10 positive / 10 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 10 positive / 10 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye irritation - category 2A (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin irritation - category 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2A (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 2A (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Category 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 6.4A (Category 2A) (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 6.3A (Category 2) (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 6.3B (Category 3) (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA): High Frequency of Sensitization (score: high) |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter trichloroethylene (tce)
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Trichloroethylene (TCE):
-
Water-based formulations where feasible
Trade-offs: Longer drying time. May not achieve same performance in all applications.Relative cost: 0.8-1.5×
-
Bio-based solvents (d-limonene, ethyl lactate)
Trade-offs: Higher cost. Flammability concerns with some bio-solvents.Relative cost: 2-5×
Frequently asked questions
Is trichloroethylene (tce) safe for kids?
Infants are vulnerable to Trichloroethylene (TCE) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.
What products contain trichloroethylene (tce)?
Trichloroethylene (TCE) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
What should I do if my child is exposed to trichloroethylene (tce)?
Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.
Why do regulators disagree about trichloroethylene (tce)?
Trichloroethylene (TCE) has been classified by 26 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / NIOSH, EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / NTP RoC, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Trichloroethylene (TCE) in the baby app
Look up products containing trichloroethylene (tce), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (3)
- IARC Monographs Volume 106: Trichloroethylene, Tetrachloroethylene, and Some Other Chlorinated Agents (2014) — regulatory
- US EPA IRIS: Trichloroethylene (TCE) — Toxicological Review (Final) (2011) — regulatory
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Trichloroethylene (2019) — report
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →