Uses of and Exposure to Trichloroethylene in U.S. Industry: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This article describes a systematic review of the industrial hygiene literature for uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) in industry for the exposure assessment of two population-based case control studies of brain cancer in the United States. Papers and reports that address uses of and exposures to TCE were identified from MEDLINE, TOXLINE, NIOSHTIC, the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation database (keywords: chlorinated solvents and trichloroethylene), and in other reviews. This search was complemented by reviewing the reference lists from the identified literature. The collected information was systematized by the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system, and measurement data reported in the literature were summarized in a database. TCE use was extensive from the early 1920s through the 1970s mainly as a degreasing agent in metal-fabricating operations. After the 1970s it became less popular because of environmental concerns. TCE historically has had a multitude of uses in many other industries, e.g., dry cleaning, textile, electronics, leather, and rubber. Also, many products like adhesives, drugs, paints, inks, and various industrial products have contained TCE. It was banned as a food additive and in cosmetics in 1977. The arithmetic mean (AM) of the measurements across all industries and decades was 38.2 ppm. The highest personal and area air levels were reported in vapor degreasing (AM of 44.6 ppm). Most TCE measurements were performed in the 1950s, 1970s, and 1980s. The data described here could be used by exposure assessors as is to identify the presence and approximate levels of exposure. Using the same information as a basis should increase the reliability of the assessments, making it easier to compare both the exposure assessment methods and the epidemiologic results across different studies.

Keywords:

• case-control study
• degreasing
• exposure assessment
• SIC
• trichloroethylene

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by intramural funds from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Health Human Services.

The findings and conclusions in this presentation have not been formally disseminated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy.

Notes

^AThere were five SICs (2759, 3321, 3675, 8062, and 8221) where all measurements (n = 10) were below the limit of detection.

^B United States unless indicated.1 = Denmark, 2 = Switzerland, 3 = United Kingdom, 4 = Sweden, 5 = Canada, 6 = Portugal.

^C B = reported as personal and area sampling, A = area sampling, P = personal sampling.

^D Duration of measurement; 1 = < 60 min, 2 = 60–360 min, 3 = > 360 min.

^E Number of measurements.

^F AM = arithmetic mean in parts per million (ppm), Min = minimum, Max = maximum, GM = geometric mean, GSD = geometric standard deviation (GSD).

^G Not available.

^H JT = job title.

^I Job titles reported: Tear down, gauge, painter, clipper, handler, cementer, sticker, hot plate, line repair, pig tailer, array tester, uploader, magnet, offer, tester, wrapper, piercer, sealer, riveter, gluer, coil winder, coner, activator, finisher, rounder, power driver, fitter, skid off, array group leader, lacer, printer, guager, sprayer.

^J Median.

^A Industries where ≤10% of the plants have open top vapor degreasers in 1980 are: miscellaneous furniture and fixtures (SIC 259); nonferrous foundries (castings) (SIC 336); fabricated structural metal products (SIC 344); screw machine products; bolts, etc. (SIC 345); metal forgings and stampings (SIC 346); ordnance and accessories (SIC 348); engines and turbines (SIC 351); construction and related equipment (SIC 353); metalworking machinery (SIC 354); special industry machinery (SIC 355); refrigeration and service machinery (SIC 358); miscellaneous industrial machinery (non electric) (SIC 359); miscellaneous electrical equipment and supplies (SIC 369); miscellaneous transportation equipment (SIC 379); miscellaneous manufacturing industries (SIC 39); railroads (SIC 401); automotive repair shops (including auto dealers and gasoline stations) (SIC 753).⁽ 24 ⁾

^B SIC = Standard Industrial Classification system.