Carbon tetrachloride: general information
Updated 17 November 2022
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Overview
Carbon tetrachloride is a clear, non-flammable, volatile liquid with a sweet odour. It is also known as tetrachloromethane and perchloromethane.
Uses of carbon tetrachloride
In the past carbon tetrachloride was used as a solvent, fumigant to kill insects in grain, cleaning agent, fire extinguishers and in the production of refrigerants. However, the production, sale and use of carbon tetrachloride has been restricted in the UK. This is because the chemical can harm the Earth’s ozone layer. It may still be used in laboratories or in the manufacture of some products and chemicals (where it is completely used up in the reaction). Carbon tetrachloride is used to produce chlorine, caustic soda and chlorinated rubber.
How carbon tetrachloride gets into the environment
Accidents during transportation, manufacture or storage of carbon tetrachloride could lead to releases to the environment. When released, carbon tetrachloride evaporates into the atmosphere quickly where it is diluted, although it takes years to break down.
Exposure to carbon tetrachloride
As its use in consumer products has been banned in the UK, exposure of the general public is now unlikely. The use of old consumer products or illegally imported products could potentially lead to exposure.
Exposure to carbon tetrachloride is more likely to occur in the workplace where it is produced or used. However, safe limits are enforced to protect the employees; such levels are below those that are thought to cause harmful effects.
How exposure to carbon tetrachloride can affect your health
The presence of carbon tetrachloride in the environment does not always lead to exposure. In order for it to cause any adverse health effects, you must come into contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing the substance or by skin contact with it. Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects that you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.
Ingestion of carbon tetrachloride can cause indigestion, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhoea.
Carbon tetrachloride can be absorbed into the body following ingestion, inhalation or prolonged skin contact. This can cause headache, dizziness, movement problems, confusion and drowsiness. Exposure to very high levels can cause blurred vision, heart problems, fitting and coma. Liver and kidney damage can also occur and may be delayed for up to 4 days after exposure.
Carbon tetrachloride is irritating to the skin and eyes. Skin contact can result in pain, redness, swelling and potentially a rash.
Carbon tetrachloride and cancer
Carbon tetrachloride has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly causing cancer in humans based on sufficient evidence of liver carcinogenicity in experimental animals. Prolonged exposure to high levels such as those sufficient to cause liver damage is believed to be necessary to cause cancer.
Pregnancy and the unborn child
There is limited data available on the direct effects of exposure to carbon tetrachloride during pregnancy. Therefore, it’s not possible to draw any definitive conclusions. Effects on the unborn child are more likely to occur if the exposure to carbon tetrachloride causes the mother to become unwell.
Children
There is little information on the effects of carbon tetrachloride on children. It is likely that children exposed to carbon tetrachloride would experience similar symptoms to those seen in exposed adults.
What to do if you are exposed to carbon tetrachloride
It is very unlikely that the general population will be exposed to a level of carbon tetrachloride high enough to cause adverse health effects. However, if you have any health concerns regarding exposure to carbon tetrachloride, seek guidance from your GP or contact NHS 111.
Additional sources of information
NHS.UK has more information on poisoning.
The information contained in this document from the UK Health Security Agency Radiation, Chemicals and Environment Directorate is correct at the time of its publication.
Email [email protected] or [email protected] if you have any questions about this guidance.