Trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene), and methylene chloride (also known as dichloromethane), are the main solvents in this group. Due to their non-flammability, these compounds have been widely used for cleaning metals in the electronics industry and for dry cleaning of clothes. The use of 1,1,1-trichloroethane was phased out at the end of 1995 under the Montreal Protocol. Euro Chlor Comment The chemical industry sponsors research on the possible environmental and health risks of chlorinated solvents. It also participates actively in the preparation of guidelines for safe handling, working closely with its customers. The industry has also developed recycling schemes through which its customers can return spent solvent for recovery and re-use whilst final wastes are incinerated. The decline in consumption of virgin chlorinated solvents in recent years is due to a combination of increased use of recycled product, reduced emissions to the atmosphere and other conservation techniques. Euro Chlor has fully supported this process.

A group of organic (carbon-containing) solvents which contain chlorine as a part of their molecular structure. Chlorinated solvents are widely used for metal parts cleaning, dry cleaning, chemical processing, and photographic film making. Common chlorinated solvents include chloroform, methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, and 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

Cleaning solutions containing chloride.