The Toxicity of the Chlorinated Hydrocarbons *

Because of their non-inflammability and their strong solvent properties the chlor compounds of the petroleum series have a wide and increasing use as degreasers of metal, cleansers of textiles, dry cleansers, solvents for rubber, tar, and gums, thinners for cellulose lacquers, and in treatment of garbage, tankage, and bones. Other uses are the production of high-grade lubricating oils from inferior stock, the production of edible and non-edible vegetable oils, the purification of explosives, and for refrigeration. The chlor compounds may be divided into three groups, namely, the saturated (paraffin) group, methane, ethane, etc.; the olefins, unsaturated, ethylene, propylene, etc.; and the naphthalenes. The following list includes those compounds which are of more or less importance in industry: