Users of trichloroethylene are advised to discuss safety requirements with the HSE, while ensuring they have a substitution plan in place if they have obligations under the Solvent Emissions Directive
It has long since been argued that there is no safe limit for exposure standards of products known to be carcinogens.
Threshold limit values (TLV) has acted to give some advice when making risk assessments.
Trichloroethylene is widely known to carry the risk phrase 'R45-May Cause Cancer'.
However some confusion has existed regarding worker exposure standards for user protection.
Variations exist around the world.
When reclassified as a carcinogen it was expected that new standards would be established in the UK to dramatically reduce the existing maximum exposure limit of 100 parts per million.
This is difficult in view of no known safety level.
It is considered that existing Directives to substitute trichloroethylene and the need to find a safer alternative in the 'shortest possible time' for those affected by the Solvent Emissions Directive is sufficient to ensure protection.
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), which advises the USEPA, have proposed a recommended TLV standard of ten parts per million.
If this is unopposed it seems likely that this may become an accepted standard in the United States shortly.
Users of trichloroethylene are advised to discuss safety requirements with the HSE, while ensuring they have a substitution plan in place if they have obligations under the Solvent Emissions Directive.
