![]() The use of trichloroethylene in the food and pharmaceutical industries has been banned in much of the world since the 1970s due to concerns about its toxicity. Fetal toxicity and concerns for carcinogenic potential of TCE led to its abandonment in developed countries by the 1980s. TCE was still used as an inhalation analgesic in childbirth given by self-administration. The introduction of halothane in 1956 greatly diminished the use of TCE as a general anesthetic. These included promotion of cardiac arrhythmias, low volatility and high solubility preventing quick anesthetic induction, reactions with soda lime used in carbon dioxide absorbing systems, prolonged neurologic dysfunction when used with soda lime, and evidence of hepatotoxicity as had been found with chloroform. Originally thought to possess less hepatotoxicity than chloroform, and without the unpleasant pungency and flammability of ether, TCE use was nonetheless soon found to have several pitfalls. Pioneered by Imperial Chemical Industries in Britain, its development was hailed as an anesthetic revolution. Commercial production began in Germany, in 1920 and in the US in 1925. Trichloroethylene was discovered by Emil Fischer in 1864 by reduction of hexachloroethane with hydrogen. Groundwater and drinking water contamination from industrial discharge including trichloroethylene is a major concern for human health and has precipitated numerous incidents and lawsuits in the United States. Under the trade names Trimar and Trilene, trichloroethylene was used as a volatile anesthetic and as an inhaled obstetrical analgesic in millions of patients. ![]() It has been sold under a variety of trade names. Industrial abbreviations include TCE, trichlor, Trike, Tricky and tri. It should not be confused with the similar 1,1,1-trichloroethane, which is commonly known as chlorothene. It is a clear, colourless non-flammable liquid with a chloroform-like sweet smell.
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