National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme
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- 1.2Purpose of assessment
- 1.3Data collection
- Survey 1 Survey of users of trichloroethylene
1.Introduction1.1DeclarationTrichloroethylene (CAS No 79-01-6) was declared a Priority Existing Chemical under the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 (the Act) (Cwlth) by the Minister for Industrial Relations, by notice in the Chemical Gazette of 4 April 1995. The grounds for declaring trichloroethylene a Priority Existing Chemical were: wide use as an industrial solvent with occupational and public exposure to a wide range of products containing the chemical; concerns that trichloroethylene may be used as a substitute for 1,1,1-trichloroethane after its phase out by the end of 1995, thereby increasing human and environmental exposure; exposure to trichloroethylene may give rise to adverse health effects; the differences of opinion regarding the carcinogenic status of the chemical. 1.2Purpose of assessmentThe purpose of this assessment is to: characterise current and potential occupational, public and environmental exposure to trichloroethylene; characterise the human health hazards and environmental effects/impact and in particular clarify the carcinogenic status of trichloroethylene; assess current risk management measures for trichloroethylene including occupational exposure standards and other current standards and guidelines; to make recommendations on control measures for the management of the risks to occupational/public health and appropriate hazard communication measures; to make recommendations on control measures for the management of environmental hazards along with information on disposal and waste management. 1.3Data collectionIn accordance with the Act manufacturers and importers of trichloroethylene who wished to continue manufacturing or importing trichloroethylene, whilst it was a Priority Existing Chemical were required to apply for assessment and supply information. Information for the assessment was also received from end users, formulators, unions and from a comprehensive literature search. Concurrent with this report has been the preparation of an initial Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) assessment report (SIAR) by the UK Health and Safety Executive (the UK SIAR). The UK draft SIAR was reviewed at the 4th OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Meeting (SIAM) and accepted with changes. Australia had the opportunity to review the report before finalisation as a member of the OECD. To enhance the efficiency of the National Industrial Chemical Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) assessment the review of health effects on experimental animals and humans has been based on the UK SIAR. A number of relevant reviews were used to assess the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of trichloroethylene. Information on mode of use and exposure was also obtained through a number of site visits. The Canadian Environmental Protection Act and German BUA Reports on trichloroethylene were used as the basis of the environmental fate and environmental toxicity review. The additional data sources that were utilised are as discussed below: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Quantities of trichloroethylene imported in to Australia from 1988 -1997 were obtained from the ABS. Australian Customs Services (ACS) The import of trichloroethylene into Australia was monitored through information provided by the Australian Customs Service (ACS). Data on the importers and amounts imported into the country were obtained from the ACS. Data supplied by applicants Applicants supplied the following data: quantity of trichloroethylene imported; quantity of products containing trichloroethylene imported; uses of the chemical and products containing the chemical; information on recycling of trichloroethylene; MSDS and labels list of end users No unpublished data on health or environmental effects of trichloroethylene were provided by applicants.
All the applicants on-sell the imported trichloroethylene or trichloroethylene products and do not use the chemical and were unable to provide any data on occupational exposure during use of the chemical. NICNAS therefore conducted a survey to investigate the use processes, exposure levels, control technologies and environmental exposure to trichloroethylene. Survey 1 Survey of users of trichloroethyleneA survey was undertaken by NICNAS in 1995 to obtain information on the use of trichloroethylene in Australia, to assist in the assessment of occupational and environmental exposure. Survey 2 Atmospheric monitoring surveyTwenty-six companies identified from the user survey as conducting atmospheric monitoring were followed up with a questionnaire to obtain more detailed monitoring data. Results of 37 samples from 9 worksites were provided in response to the monitoring survey. In addition, monitoring data were also obtained from one bulk storage site and one recycler of trichloroethylene. Atmospheric Monitoring Project No atmospheric monitoring data was obtained for use of trichloroethylene in cold cleaning or during use of trichloroethylene products. A project was therefore specially commissioned to an external consultant to undertake atmospheric and biological monitoring of workers using trichloroethylene products for various purposes and neat trichloroethylene in cold degreasing. Workplaces were identified and contacted by NICNAS. Seven workplaces were willing to participate, with one workplace using both neat trichloroethylene and a trichloroethylene product. The number of workers involved at each workplace depended on the work available. Atmospheric monitoring included personal monitoring and was conducted in accordance with Australian Standard AS 2986 and the samples were analysed by gas chromatography. Biological monitoring included estimation of trichloroacetic acid in urine and analysis of the urine samples by a method developed at the WorkCover Laboratories at Thornleigh.
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