TRICHLOROACETIC ACID

Chemical Identification
CAS #	76-03-9
Formula	C₂HCl₃O₂
Synonyms	TCA; trichloroethanoic acid

Physical Properties
Physical description	Colorless to white, crystalline solid with a sharp, pungent odor.
Boiling point	388°F	Molecular weight	163.39
Freezing point/melting point	136°F	Vapor pressure	1 mmHg at 124°F
Flash point		Vapor density	5.6
Specific gravity	1.62	Ionization potential
Lower explosive limit (LEL)		Upper explosive limit (UEL)
NFPA health rating		NFPA fire rating
NFPA reactivity rating		NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	T337
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media	Silica gel tube (100/50 mg) [SKC 226-47-01]
Sampling time^*
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	10 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.2 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	HPLC-UV
Method reference	OSHA PV2017 (partially validated)
Notes
Special requirements

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA		REL-TWA	1 ppm (7 mg/m³)	TLV-TWA	0.5 ppm [2013]	PEL-TWA	1 ppm (5 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL		TLV-STEL		PEL-STEL
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	NA	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N
Notes: Not established		Notes:		Notes:		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH
Carcinogenic classifications: IARC-3, TLV-A3, EPA-C		Notes:
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Trichloroacetic acid

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Trichloroacetic acid

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Trichloroacetic acid. See annual publication for most recent information.
Bull R.J., et al.: Contribution of dichloroacetate and trichloroacetate to liver tumor induction in mice by trichloroethylene. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 182(1): 55-65, 2002.
Calafat, A.M., Kuklenyik, Z., Caudill, S.P. and Ashley, D.L.: Urinary levels of trichloroacetic acid, a disinfection by-product in chlorinated drinking water, in a human reference population. Environ. Health Perspect. 111(2): 151-154, 2003.
Forkert, P.-G., Lash, L., Tardif, R., Tanphaichitr, N., Vandevoort, C. and Moussa, M.: Identification of trichloroethylene and its metabolites in human seminal fluid of workers exposed to trichloroethylene. Drug Metab. Dispos. 31(3): 306-311, 2003.
Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Trichloroacetic Acid. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp.2239-2241.

Last Updated Date : 01/29/2021

TRICHLOROACETIC ACID

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References