Consumer Factsheet on: CARBON TETRACHLORIDE
List of Contaminants
As part of the Drinking Water and Health pages, this fact sheet is part of a larger publication:
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public or private drinking water supplies.
It may cause health problems if found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
What is Carbon Tetrachloride and how is it used?
Carbon tetrachloride is a clear heavy organic liquid with a sweet aromatic odor similar to chloroform. Most
of it is used to make chlorofluorocarbon propellants and refrigerants, though this has been declining
steadily. Other uses have included: as dry cleaning agent and fire extinguisher, in making nylon, as a
solvent for rubber cement, soaps, insecticides, etc.
The list of trade names given below may help you find out whether you are using this chemical at home or
work.
Trade Names and Synonyms:
Perchloromethane
Methane tetrachloride
Benzinoform
Univerm
Necatorina
Facsiolin
Flukoids
R10 (refrigerant)
Tetraform
Tetrasol
Freon 10
Halon 104
Why is Carbon Tetrachloride being Regulated?
In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA to determine safe levels of
chemicals in drinking water which do or may cause health problems. These non-enforceable levels,
based solely on possible health risks and exposure, are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals.
The MCLG for carbon tetrachloride has been set at zero because EPA believes this level of protection
would not cause any of the potential health problems described below.
Based on this MCLG, EPA has set an enforceable standard called a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).
MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as possible, considering the ability of public water systems to detect
and remove contaminants using suitable treatment technologies.
The MCL has been set at 5 part per billion (ppb) because EPA believes, given present technology and
resources, this is the lowest level to which water systems can reasonably be required to remove this
contaminant should it occur in drinking water.

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These drinking water standards and the regulations for ensuring these standards are met, are called
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. All public water supplies must abide by these regulations.
What are the Health Effects?
Short-term: EPA has found carbon tetrachloride to potentially cause the following health effects when
people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: liver, kidney and lung
damage.
Long-term: Carbon tetrachloride has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure
at levels above the MCL: liver damage; cancer.
How much Carbon Tetrachloride is produced and released to the environment?
Production of carbon tetrachloride in 1988 was 761 million lbs Carbon tetrachloride is released to land
and water from landfills, in wastewater from industries, from agricultural activities. From 1987 to 1993,
according to the Toxic Release Inventory, carbon tetrachloride releases to water and land totalled nearly
76,000 lbs. These releases were primarily from chemical manufacturing industries. The largest releases
occurred in Texas.
What happens to Carbon Tetrachloride when it is released to the environment?
Carbon tetrachloride evaporates quickly from surface waters and soil. It does not bind to soil and may
leach into ground water. It has a low potential to accumulate in aquatic life.
How will Carbon Tetrachloride be Detected in and Removed from My Drinking Water?
The regulation for carbon tetrachloride became effective in 1989. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA required
your water supplier to collect water samples every 3 months for one year and analyze them to find out if
carbon tetrachloride is present above 0.5 ppb. If it is present above this level, the system must continue to
monitor this contaminant.
If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water supplier must take steps to
reduce the amount of carbon tetrachloride so that it is consistently below that level. The following
treatment methods have been approved by EPA for removing carbon tetrachloride : Granular activated
charcoal in combination with Packed tower aeration.
How will I know if Carbon Tetrachloride is in my drinking water?
If the levels of carbon tetrachloride exceed the MCL, 5 ppb, the system must notify the public via
newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing alternative drinking water
supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to public health.
Drinking Water Standards:
Mclg: zero
Mcl: 5 ppb
Carbon Tetrachloride Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in pounds):

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TOTALS (in pounds)
Top Five States*
Water
52,719
Land
23,078
TX
WV
LA
AL
CA
22,922
4
7,720
8,205
20
75
14,443
2,213
0
2,400
Major Industries*
Alkalies, chlorine
Inorganic chemicals
31,147
8,796
4,450
3,266
817
17,545
460
1,530
377
2,400
Petroleum refining
Misc. Indust. Organics
Agricultural chems.
* Water/Land totals only include facilities with releases greater than a certain amount - usually 1000 to
10,000 lbs.
Learn more about your drinking water!
EPA strongly encourages people to learn more about their drinking water, and to support local efforts to
protect and upgrade the supply of safe drinking water. Your water bill or telephone books government
listings are a good starting point.
Your local water supplier can give you a list of the chemicals they test for in your water, as well as how
your water is treated.
Your state Department of Health/Environment is also a valuable source of information.
For help in locating these agencies or for information on drinking water in general, call: EPAs Safe
Drinking Water Hotline: (800) 426-4791.
For additional information on the uses and releases of chemicals in your state, contact the: Community
Right-to-Know Hotline: (800) 424-9346.

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