EPA TRI Chemical
Tetrachloroethylene
CAS Number: 127-18-4
- Total releases
- 4.6M lbs
- Number of facilities
- 265
- Carcinogen
- Yes
- PBT substance
- No
According to the EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Tetrachloroethylene (CAS 127-18-4) is disclosed by 265 Form R facilities totaling 4.6M lbs of reported releases. The TRI extract marks this chemical with a carcinogen classification flag. TRI pounds are self-reported disclosure totals, not a measured public-health risk score.
Tetrachloroethylene (CAS 127-18-4) is a chemical tracked by the EPA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The TRI requires industrial facilities above specified threshold quantities to disclose annual manufacturing, processing, and otherwise-used volumes, along with quantities released to air, water, land, and off-site transfers.
The carcinogen flag above reflects an assessment from EPA, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, or the National Toxicology Program, not a TRI-specific determination. The largest individual disclosure in the current dataset comes from SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS INC in KS at 1.3M lbs.
TRI volumes are self-reported estimates, not measured stack emissions, and each pound counts equally regardless of chemical toxicity, so total pounds should not be equated with total risk. Inclusion of a chemical or facility in the TRI does not itself establish a health hazard; it documents the public right-to-know record. Consult EPA's IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for health-effect summaries.
AIR pathway mix
Tetrachloroethylene: how the 4.6M lbs splits
4.6M lbs across all reported pathways
- Air Releases4.0M lbs87.0%
- Off-site Transfers560.1K lbs12.3%
- Land Disposal30.0K lbs0.7%
- Water Discharges2.2K lbs<0.1%
Tetrachloroethylene's 4.6M lbs Form-R total is AIR, with air releases making up 87.0% of the bar. Next segment: off-site transfers at 12.3%.
Trend & Where It's Reported
Between 2019 and 2023, cumulative annual Tetrachloroethylene releases across all reporting facilities increased by 11% (926.1K lbs → 1.0M lbs). Year-to-year swings reflect facility openings/closures and reporting changes as much as underlying activity.
Reporting for Tetrachloroethylene is concentrated: Kansas accounts for 29.1% of the reported total (7 facilities). Next: Texas.
- Kansas 1.3M lbs
- Texas 552.0K lbs
- Georgia 435.7K lbs
- Indiana 421.4K lbs
- Florida 394.3K lbs
Reporting for Tetrachloroethylene is highly concentrated by industry: Transportation Equipment facilities account for 54.5% of the reported total (20 facilities). Next: Chemicals.
- Transportation Equipment 2.5M lbs
- Chemicals 552.3K lbs
- Other 432.8K lbs
- Electric Utilities 241.4K lbs
- Fabricated Metals 217.0K lbs
Which facilities release the most of this chemical?
Facilities with the largest reported releases of Tetrachloroethylene. Up to 50 shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tetrachloroethylene in the EPA TRI? ▼
How much Tetrachloroethylene is disclosed in U.S. TRI filings? ▼
How does EPA TRI classify Tetrachloroethylene? ▼
Which facilities disclose the most Tetrachloroethylene? ▼
What is the CAS number for Tetrachloroethylene? ▼
Health Information
Carcinogen Classification: This chemical is classified as a known or suspected carcinogen by the EPA under the Toxic Release Inventory program. This classification is based on evaluations by agencies including the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the EPA itself.
Data comes from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program. Release quantities are self-reported by facilities and may represent estimates. The total shown aggregates reports across all facilities and reporting years.
PlainEnviro presents this data without advocacy framing. The presence of a chemical in the TRI database does not by itself indicate a health risk at current exposure levels. For health-related questions about specific chemical exposures, consult your local health agency or a toxicologist.
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.