Tetrachloroethene / first draft prepared by Peter Watts.

"Technically and linguistically edited by Marla Sheffer."--P. [ii].

"Published under the joint sponsorship of the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organization, and the World Health Organization, and produced within the framework of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals."

Incluye referencias bibliográficas (p. 75-92).

Identity and physical/chemical properties -- Analytical methods -- Sources of human and environmental exposure -- Environmental transport, distribution, and transformation -- Environmental levels and human exposure -- Comparative kinetics and metabolism in laboratory animals and humans -- Effects on laboratory mammals and in vitro test systems -- Effects on humans -- Effects on other organisms in the laboratory and field -- Effects evaluation -- Previous evaluations by IOMC bodies.

Tetrachloroethene is used mainly in the dry cleaning of textiles, as a chemical intermediate and in metal degreasing. This report evaluates the available scientific literature on the health and environmental effects of tetrachloroethene based on selected national and regional evaluations. Of key interest is the relevance of several types of tumors included by tetrachloroethene in rats and mice. The report goes on to establish the criteria for setting tolerable intakes and concentrations taking into consideration the potential carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, kidney, liver and reproductive/developmental toxicity and cancer. Environmental effects are assessed for terrestrial and aquatic organisms , sediment-dwelling organisms and micro-organisms in sewerage treatment processes. In addition the risks of harm to plants from air emissions of tetrachloroethene are discussed. Uncertainties in the risk assessment are set out for both human health and the environment.--Publisher's decription.

Available both in print and online.

Summaries in French and Spanish.

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