Tetrachloromethane (Carbon tetrachloride)

Uses

Tetrachloromethane, $\text{CCl}_4$, is universally known as carbon tetrachloride. It is manufactured in bulk for several purposes:

• As a refrigerant and aerosol-can propellant
• As feedstock for making chlorofluorocarbons and other chemicals
• In pharmaceutical manufacturing
• As a general-purpose solvent

Until the mid-1960s it was also widely used as a cleaning fluid — as a degreasing agent in industry, and in the home as a spot remover and as a fire extinguisher.

Health effects

• There is some evidence that exposure to carbon tetrachloride causes liver cancer in humans.
• The most common effects of exposure are dizziness, light-headedness, nausea and vomiting — these can go on to cause permanent damage to nerve cells.
• In severe cases, exposure can rapidly lead to stupor, coma, unconsciousness, or death.
• Exposure to $\text{CCl}_4$ can make the heart beat irregularly, or stop altogether.
• It can also irritate the eyes on contact.

Environmental effect …