Perchlorate is NOT Perchlorethylene

What is Perchlorate?

Perchlorate is a simple salt compound made up of chlorine and oxygen. It is both naturally occurring and can be man-made.

How is perchlorate used?

• It was used as a medicine to treat thyroid disorders for decades.
• Because of its high oxygen content it is also used as an oxidizer in:
  • Air Bags
  • Road Flares
  • Solid Rocket Fuel
  • Explosives
  • Matches

What are the health affects of perchlorate?

• Perchlorate is eliminated from the body quickly and does not accumulate.
• At very high levels, perchlorate can affect thyroid function, but it takes extremely high amounts and prolonged exposure before there is a risk of any adverse effects. Any effects from perchlorate are also reversible once exposure declines or stops.
• Perchlorate does not cause cancer or birth defects.

What is Perchlorethylene?

According to the Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration, perchloroethylene has many names, including tetrachloroethylene, perc, PCE and tetrachloroethene. It is a manufactured chemical compound, most recognizable as a nonflammable liquid at room temperature. It evaporates easily into the air and has a sharp, sweet odor.

How is perchlorethylene used?

• Perchlorethylene is a colorless, organic solvent used in dry-cleaning solutions and as an industrial solvent.
• It is also used to degrease metal parts in the automotive and other metalworking industries. It appears in a few consumer products including paint strippers and spot removers.

What are the health affects of perchlorethylene?

• Perchlorethylene is a central nervous system depressant. Inhaling its vapors in closed, poorly ventilated areas can cause dizziness, headache, sleepiness, confusion, nausea, difficulty in speaking and walking, and unconsciousness.
• Those who work regularly with perchlorethylene may experience severe skin irritation from prolonged or excessive contact.