Trichloroethylene.

[thefatlady]

Re: NO- IT IS NOT!

There seems to be some confusion here between trichlorethylene and trichloroethane.

Trichloroethane was banned for general use under the Montreal Protocol, although it can still be obtained (very expensive) for certain specialise applications. In my old company, we used it for ultrasonic cleaning of printed circuit boards until it was banned. It is my understanding that trichloroethane is not carcinogenic but damages the ozone layer.

Trichlorethylene is not banned and can be obtained in large quantities. When trichloroethane was banned, we changed to this and the company is still using it. It is my understanding that trichlorethylene is carcinogenic and mutagenic.

Being cynical, it seems to me that damaging the ozone layer is a no-no, but killing individuals is OK.

I still have some of each, slightly contaminated from pcb cleaning, but still a very effective cleaner. I also still have some clean trichloroethane, but don't tell anyone.

 

[halcyon]

Re: NO- IT IS NOT!

We used Tric years ago at work for degreasing, we had at least one chap killed from sniffing it. Later all the de-greasing tanks were removed on health and safety grounds.
Spotted the following which explains the same, me I avoid the stuff like the plague.

e. Trichlorethylene and trichlorethane-containing products have been associated with a significant risk of "Sudden Sniffing Death" due to the induction of fatal cardiac rhythm abnormalities.

f. In a Dallas postmortem study of three adolescent trichlorethylene inhalation fatalities, two of the three victims had hepatic cirrhotic changes. A closely related compound formerly used extensively in the dry cleaning industry is so toxic that the equivalent of one teaspoon is able to cause potential fatal liver necrosis.

Brian

 

[thefatlady]

Re: NO- IT IS NOT!

It is for this reason that trichorethylene cleaners must have extraction, whereas it was not required for trichloroethane. Pcb ultrasonic cleaners use the solvent hot and it is continuously being vapourised and recondensed to clean the solvent. With trichlorethylene it is insufficient to rely on the condensing coils to prevent vapour escaping.

Trichloroethane is easier/cheaper to use. I wonder if our oriental friends have switched to the more expensive process, or whether they don't give a damn about the Montreal Protocol?

 

[misterg]

Re: NO- IT IS NOT!

We used to use gallons of trichlroethane (GenKlene and Perklone, too) in vapour de-greasers and ultrasonic cleaners, and whilst nothing else seemed to work quite as well, one of the best replacements was based on citrus extract. We bought it as "Desolvit 5000", but it seems to have been re-branded. I suspect this is the stuff. (Desolvit now seems to be consumer stuff only). Much safer & environmentally friendly, and unlikely as it may seem, it works extremely well as a degreaser. (No connection, but MANY hours spent kissing frogs until this came up).

I miss the smell of Genklene in the mornings, though.

Andy

 

[LittleMike]

Try Methoklone from Applied Chemicals. They probably however only sell it in 5 gal drums .