Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
Cities >100.000
inh., USA [1]
EPA Region 5,
USA [2]
Minnesota,
USA [3]
Three urban
centers, USA [4]
Bilbao,
Europe [5]
Workplace (building) indoor
Residential indoor
Outdoor
Fig. 9 Selected indoor and outdoor average concentrations of TCE from various studies: (1)
BASE study (US EPA
2013a
), (2) NHEXAS (Clayton et al.
1999
), (3) MNCPES (Adgate et al.
2004
), (4) RIOPA (Weisel et al.
2005
), (5) de Blas et al. (
2012
). Bars indicate standard errors
concentrations are generally higher than outdoor ones. The study performed in
Bilbao reported that TCE may be generated indoors from the use of chlorine
bleach containing products and even by refurbishment works (de Blas et al.
2012
).
Average indoor and outdoor TCE concentration in Minnesota homes was the
0.6 lg/m
3
, but it was detected in more cases indoors (89 % of samples) than
outdoors (70 % of samples) (Adgate et al.
2004
). All indoor and outdoor values in
Fig.
9
are below the concentrations associated with an excess lifetime cancer risk
of 1:1.000.000 (2.3 lg/m
3
) (WHO
2010
), except the residential indoors reported in
NHXAS study (Clayton et al.
1999
).
2.7.5 Tetrachloroethylene
Tetrachloroethylene (C
6
H
3
Cl
3
), otherwise abbreviated as PCE, is a chlorinated
solvent. As well as TCE, it can be found in air, water, soil, food and animal tissues.
The main path of exposure to PCE is inhalation, but in areas with highly polluted
water, ingestion of drinking water may also be significant (IARC
2013
). Main
short-term effects of the exposure to PCE are dizziness, sleepiness and loss of
coordination. Irritation of the nose and throat is observed when the exposition
occurs via inhalation. Substantial exposures can lead to coma and even death
(Foxall
2008b
). PCE is classified as probably carcinogenic to humans, and it will
be included in the IARC Monograph 106 in preparation (IARC
2013
). Other long-
term effects are neurological and kidney damage (Foxall
2008b
).
The use of consumer products is a potential source of PCE indoors. A variety of
household products may contain PCE, such as adhesives, water repellents, fabric
finishers, stain removers, spot removers, wood cleaners, some inks, polishes, rug
