Key Points

Fire

• Non flammable
• Reacts with some metals such as aluminium, magnesium and zinc causing fire and explosion hazard
• Emits irritating or toxic fumes including chlorine, hydrogen chloride and phosgene, when heated to decomposition
• In the event of a fire involving carbon tetrachloride, use fine water spray and normal fire kit with breathing apparatus

Health

• Toxic by inhalation, ingestion and dermal exposure
• Inhalation and ingestion may cause a reduced conscious level, sickness, headache, dizziness, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea and difficulties with breathing
• Ingestion and inhalation may also cause liver and kidney damage, which in severe cases can lead to coma and death
• Skin or eye contact can cause irritation
• Carbon tetrachloride possibly causes cancer in humans

Environment

• Dangerous for the environment
• Inform Environment Agency of substantial incidents

 

All sections are available to download in PDF format below:

• Carbon tetrachloride - Full Document (PDF, 153 KB)
• General Information (PDF, 45 KB)
• Incident Management (PDF, 91 KB)
• Toxiocological Overview (PDF, 48 KB)