Trichloroethylene is a clear, colourless liquid with a sweet, ethereal, chloroform-like odour. It can probably burn if strongly heated, or be ignited by a high energy source. It can decompose at high temperatures forming toxic gases such as hydrogen chloride, chlorine and phosgene. Closed containers may rupture and explode if heated. Trichloroethylene vapours may accumulate in low lying areas. The vapour causes irritation of the nose and throat. Trichloroethylene is also a central nervous system depressant. The vapour may cause headache, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, incoordination, and confusion. High vapour concentrations may cause unconsciousness and death. Trichloroethylene causes skin and eye irritation and it is an aspiration hazard. Swallowing or vomiting of the liquid may result in aspiration (breathing) into the lungs. Trichloroethylene is a SUSPECT CANCER HAZARD - may cause cancer, based on human information, a POSSIBLE REPRODUCTIVE HAZARD - may cause birth defects, based on animal information, and a MUTAGEN - may cause genetic damage, based on animal information.

Trichloroethylene is predominantly used for vapour degreasing of metal parts in the automotive and metal industries. It is also used as a component of adhesives and as a solvent in paint-strippers, lubricants, paints, varnishes, pesticides, cold metal cleaners, rubbers and elastomers. It is used as a low temperature heat-transfer medium and as a chemical intermediate in the production of pharmaceuticals, flame retardant chemicals and insecticides. It is used in metal phosphatizing systems, textile processing, the production of polyvinyl chloride and aerospace operations.

Its historical use in foods, beverages (decaffeination of coffee), pet foods, medicine, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics has been banned because of its toxicity.

Trichloroethylene is available commercially in a number of grades, including high-purity, electronic, metal degreasing and extraction grades. It typically has a purity above 99%. Impurities include other halogenated hydrocarbons such as tetrachloroethane, dichloroethylene, and trichloroethane. Stabilizers are added to prevent decomposition by air and light, and to prevent trichloroethylene from becoming acidic and corrosive. Some 50 known stabilizers are used in trichloroethylene formulations and include amines, pyrroles, mixtures of epoxides and esters, phenols, and alcohols. Stabilizers are generally added at concentrations of 1% or less and to be effective must be present in both the liquid and vapour phases. Epichlorohydrin has been used as a stabilizer in the past, but concern over its toxicity has led to elimination of its use.

Trichloroethylene is also known as Acetylene trichloride, 1-Chloro-2,2-dichloroethylene, 1,1-dichloro-2-chloroethylene, Ethinyl trichloride, Ethylene trichloride, Tri, Trichloroethene, Trichlorethylene, 1,1,2-Trichlorethylene.

Its CAS Registry Number is 79-01-6. This number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) in the United States and is used as a unique identifier number world-wide.