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Tetrachlorobenzenes

What is it?

Tetrachlorobenzenes are manufactured chemical substances that are found in forms ranging from colourless crystals to white flakes or chunks. 

Where is it found and how is it used?

Tetrachlorobenzenes are not currently manufactured in Canada, and currently, there is no domestic commercial demand for tetrachlorobenzenes. Formerly, they were used to top up polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) transformers and in dyestuff carriers. These applications have either been discontinued (dye carriers) or are being phased out (dielectric fluids).

Tetrachlorobenzenes may be generated when organic compounds are burned or exposed to a large source of energy in the presence of a chlorine source. Through this mechanism, they may be formed and released into the environment as a result of waste incineration and barrel burning of household waste.

What are its effects?

Assessments of tetrachlorobenzenes show that they are persistent and bioaccumulative chemical substances that could have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment and biological diversity. However, tetrachlorobenzenes do not appear to be entering the environment in amounts large enough to affect human health.

What are we doing?

Tetrachlorobenzenes are considered as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) and are on Schedule 1, List of Toxic Substances, of CEPA 1999. The Government of Canada has proposed the addition of tetrachlorobenzenes to the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2005 to prohibit its manufacture, import, use, sale and offer for sale in Canada. The regulations amending the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2005 are expected to be issued by the end of 2006.

At the same time, users of products containing tetrachlorobenzenes have been taking steps to ensure that the lowest possible amounts of these chemical substances enter the environment.

Being informed is the best protection. Find out more about  tetrachlorobenzenes and what the Government of Canada is doing by visiting Environment Canada's  Management of Toxic Substances Website.

Health effects for any substance depend on the amount of exposure, and how that exposure occurs.