Trichloroethylene

A clear, colorless toxic liquid that has a sweet odor and evaporates quickly. A volatile liquid used as a solvent and formerly as an anesthetic.

The majority (about 84 percent) of TCE is used in a closed system as an intermediate chemical for manufacturing refrigerant chemicals. Much of the remainder (about 15 percent) is used as a solvent for metals degreasing, leaving a small percentage to account for other uses, including use as a spotting agent in dry cleaning and in consumer products.