TETRACHLOROETHYLENE - EVALUATION OF RISKS TO HEALTH FROM ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE IN CANADA

Tetrachloroethylene is included on the List of Priority Substances to be assessed under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Available data on human exposure in Canada and potential health effects resulti ng from exposure to this substance in the environment were critically evaluated. Based upon available data on the incidence and mechanisms o f tumour induction in laboratory animals, tetrachloroethylene may be c onsidered ''unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans''. The estimated ave rage daily intakes of tetrachloroethylene by the general population of Canada are approximately 13- to 28-fold less than the tolerable daily intake, derived on the basis of hepatic effects in inhalation studies in laboratory animals, and which takes into account the limited evide nce of carcinogenicity.