There is substantial potential for human exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE), as it has a widespread presence in ambient air, indoor air, soil, and groundwater. At the same time, humans are likely to be exposed to a variety of compounds that are either metabolites of TCE or which have common metabolites or targets of toxicity. Once exposed, humans, as well as laboratory animal species, rapidly absorb TCE, which is then distributed to tissues via systemic circulation, extensively metabolized, and then excreted primarily in breath as unchanged TCE or carbon dioxide, or in urine as metabolites. The purpose of this Toxicological Review is to provide scientific support and rationale for the hazard and dose-response assessment in IRIS pertaining to chronic exposure to trichloroethylene. It is not intended to be a comprehensive treatise on the chemical or toxicological nature of trichloroethylene
