Pharmacologic Substance
trichloroethylene Audio
tri·chlo·ro·eth·yl·ene [ trahy-klawr-oh-eth-uh-leen, -klohr- ]
Subclass of:
Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
Definitions related to trichloroethylene:
  • A highly volatile inhalation anesthetic used mainly in short surgical procedures where light anesthesia with good analgesia is required. It is also used as an industrial solvent. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of the vapor can lead to cardiotoxicity and neurological impairment.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • A synthetic, light sensitive, volatile, colorless, liquid that is miscible with many non-polar organic solvents. Trichloroethylene is used mainly as a degreaser for metal parts. Upon combustion, it produces irritants and toxic gases. Occupational exposure to trichloroethylene is associated with excess incidences of liver cancer, kidney cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. (NCI05)
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Toxic liquid widely used as an industrial solvent, formerly used as an inhalation anesthetic.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.