NIOSH Publication No. 2005-151:

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

September 2005

Carbon tetrachloride

CAS
56-23-5

CCl4

RTECS
FG4900000
Synonyms & Trade Names

Carbon chloride; Carbon tet; Freon® 10; Halon® 104; Tetrachloromethane
DOT ID & Guide
1846 / 151

Exposure
Limits

NIOSH REL: Ca ST 2 ppm (12.6 mg/m3) [60-minute] See Appendix A
OSHA PEL†: TWA 10 ppm C 25 ppm 200 ppm (5-minute maximum peak in any 4 hours)
IDLH
Ca [200 ppm] See: 56235
Conversion
1 ppm = 6.29 mg/m3
Physical Description
Colorless liquid with a characteristic ether-like odor.
MW: 153.8
BP: 170°F
FRZ: -9°F
Sol: 0.05%
VP: 91 mmHg
IP: 11.47 eV

Sp.Gr: 1.59
Fl.P: NA
UEL: NA
LEL: NA

Noncombustible Liquid
Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Chemically-active metals such as sodium, potassium & magnesium; fluorine; aluminum [Note: Forms highly toxic phosgene gas when exposed to flames or welding arcs.]
Measurement Methods
NIOSH 1003; OSHA 7
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Personal Protection & Sanitation
(See protection)
Skin: Prevent skin contact
Eyes: Prevent eye contact
Wash skin: When contaminated
Remove: When wet or contaminated
Change: No recommendation
Provide: Eyewash, Quick drench
First Aid
(See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately
Skin: Soap wash immediately
Breathing: Respiratory support
Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations
NIOSH
At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Important additional information about respirator selection
Exposure Routes
inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms
Irritation eyes, skin; central nervous system depression; nausea, vomiting; liver, kidney injury; drowsiness, dizziness, incoordination; [potential occupational carcinogen]
Target Organs
central nervous system, eyes, lungs, liver, kidneys, skin

Cancer Site
[in animals: liver cancer]
See also: INTRODUCTION   See ICSC CARD: 0024   See MEDICAL TESTS: 0041