Chloroform Safety & Hazards

Chloroform is a volatile, colorless liquid with a strong odor and significant health hazards. It is used primarily in laboratories, chemical manufacturing, and as a solvent in certain industrial applications. While its historical use included anesthetics and pharmaceuticals, modern safety standards restrict its use due to the severe health risks it presents.

Chloroform is toxic when inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Short-term exposure leads to dizziness, nausea, and respiratory irritation, while long-term exposure is linked to liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage. Regulatory agencies classify chloroform as a suspected human carcinogen, which makes careful handling and strict compliance with safety procedures essential.

Because chloroform vapors are heavier than air, exposure can occur even when spills seem contained. Its low flash point and the toxic byproducts it releases when heated also present fire hazards. This article explains the key risks, exposure effects, handling precautions, and compliance standards for chloroform in laboratory and industrial environments.

In this article, we’ll review:

1. Chemical Hazards Overview

2. Exposure Risks & Health Effects

3. First Aid Measures

4. Handling & Storage Precautions

5. Spill & Leak Procedures

6. Fire & Explosion Hazards

7. Regulatory & Compliance Information

8. Technical Documents & References

Chemical Hazards Overview

Chloroform is classified as both acutely toxic and chronically hazardous. Although chemically stable under most storage conditions, it can degrade when exposed to light or heat, forming phosgene, a highly toxic gas. Stabilized chloroform is often sold to prevent this breakdown, but even stabilized forms retain high health risks.

Hazard Classification

GHS Classification: Chloroform carries multiple hazard symbols. The skull and crossbones (☠️) indicates acute toxicity, while the health hazard pictogram (⚠️ GHS08) signifies carcinogenicity and organ toxicity.

NFPA Ratings:

Health: Health: 3 (serious health effects)
Fire: 2 (moderate flammability)
Reactivity: 0 (stable)

Primary Risks

Although chloroform is not explosive under normal conditions, it remains highly dangerous to human health. The main exposure routes are inhalation, skin absorption, eye contact, and ingestion.

Inhalation: Vapors can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and disorientation. At higher concentrations, they may lead to unconsciousness and cardiac arrhythmias, which can be fatal. Chronic inhalation damages the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.
Skin Contact: Chloroform is absorbed through the skin, often without immediate symptoms. This makes it particularly dangerous since systemic toxicity may occur without clear warning signs. Local irritation, dryness, and redness are also common.
Eye Exposure: Liquid or vapor contact causes immediate pain, burning, and tearing. Without prompt rinsing, long-term eye damage is possible.
Ingestion: Swallowing chloroform is extremely hazardous. Even small amounts can damage internal organs, cause gastrointestinal distress, and result in severe poisoning.

Exposure Risks & Health Effects

The toxic effects of chloroform vary depending on dose and exposure duration. Acute exposures produce fast-acting symptoms, while chronic exposures increase the risk of cancer and organ failure.

Short-term exposure typically results in dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and respiratory irritation. Laboratory workers handling chloroform without adequate ventilation often report these symptoms.
Chronic exposure is more severe. Animal studies and epidemiological data link chloroform to liver and kidney damage, reproductive harm, and increased cancer risk. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists chloroform as a Group 2B carcinogen, meaning it is “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”

Because symptoms may be delayed, exposure can go unnoticed until serious health effects occur. This reinforces the importance of engineering controls such as fume hoods and the use of protective clothing and respirators where necessary.

First Aid Measures

Immediate and proper first aid helps reduce risks if exposure occurs. The steps vary depending on the type of contact. Below is a breakdown of basic first aid procedures based on each route of exposure:

Exposure Type	Immediate Action	Follow-up Measures
Inhalation	Move the person to fresh air immediately. Ensure they are breathing and provide oxygen if necessary.	Seek medical attention right away, even if symptoms seem mild.
Skin Contact	Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing.	If irritation persists or exposure was significant, obtain medical evaluation.
Eye Contact	Rinse eyes continuously with clean, lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes. Keep eyelids open during rinsing.	Urgent medical attention is required to prevent long-term damage.
Ingestion	Rinse mouth if the person is conscious. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel.	Seek emergency medical care immediately. Monitor for signs of organ distress.

Prompt and proper first aid, followed by medical evaluation, ensures risks are minimized. Even when symptoms are not severe at first, medical professionals should assess possible organ damage.

Handling & Storage Precautions

Chloroform requires more stringent handling precautions than many laboratory solvents.

When handling chloroform:

Always work in a fume hood or well-ventilated space to reduce vapor exposure.
Wear appropriate PPE, including safety goggles, lab coats, and chemical-resistant gloves. Note that common nitrile gloves allow chloroform penetration in under three minutes, so butyl or laminated gloves are recommended.
Avoid heating chloroform unless absolutely necessary, as decomposition produces phosgene and hydrogen chloride gases.

For storage:

Keep containers tightly sealed in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.
Use amber glass bottles or containers to protect from light and slow decomposition.
Separate chloroform from strong oxidizers, alkalis, acids, and reactive metals such as copper and aluminum.
Store stabilized chloroform whenever possible to reduce the risk of phosgene formation.

Spill & Leak Procedures

Chloroform spills pose both health and environmental hazards. Even small amounts can create dangerous vapor concentrations.

If a spill occurs:

Evacuate non-essential personnel from the area and ensure proper ventilation.
Personnel cleaning the spill should wear full protective equipment, including respirators.
Use absorbent materials such as vermiculite or sand to contain the liquid.
Collect all contaminated material in sealed, labeled containers for hazardous waste disposal.

Chloroform should never be allowed to enter drains, as it contaminates water sources and poses environmental risks. All cleanup waste must be treated as hazardous and disposed of according to local and federal regulations.

Fire & Explosion Hazards

Chloroform is flammable and poses unique risks in fire scenarios. Its flash point is around 6°C (43°F), meaning it can ignite at relatively low temperatures compared to many solvents.

When exposed to flames or high heat, chloroform decomposes into hydrogen chloride and phosgene, both of which are highly toxic gases. Because of this, firefighters must wear full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus when responding to fires involving chloroform.

Foam, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide are the recommended extinguishing agents. While water can be used to cool containers, it is not effective in extinguishing chloroform fires and may spread contamination.

Regulatory & Compliance Information

Chloroform is subject to strict regulation due to its toxicity and carcinogenic potential.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is 50 ppm as a ceiling value.
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health): Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) is 2 ppm for up to 60 minutes.
ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) is 10 ppm for an 8-hour time-weighted average.
EPA and IARC: Both classify chloroform as a probable human carcinogen

Transport and storage of chloroform are also tightly regulated. Containers must be labeled with hazard symbols, and shipments must follow Department of Transportation (DOT) hazardous material requirements. In food and pharmaceutical industries, chloroform is not permitted for use, except under tightly controlled research conditions.

Technical Documents & References

Working with chloroform safely requires access to accurate and up-to-date technical documentation.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS): Outlines hazard details, safe handling procedures, and emergency measures.
Certificates of Analysis (COA): Provide batch-specific purity and composition data for quality assurance.
Technical reports and toxicology studies: Offer deeper insights into exposure risks, decomposition behavior, and long-term health impacts.

Laboratories and facilities that use chloroform should maintain easy access to these documents and ensure all personnel are trained in safety practices.

Conclusion

Chloroform is a high-risk chemical that demands respect and careful management. By following proper handling, storage, and emergency protocols, workplaces can reduce the risk of harmful exposure while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. Worker training and access to reliable technical information are the foundation of safe chloroform use.

Looking for high-quality, USP-grade chloroform for your lab, product line, or research facility? Visit our store to explore our trusted selection and request a quote.

For more detailed guidance, explore our Resource Library for more information.

Our Customer Care team is also available for more information and documentation, including chemical Safety Data Sheets.

Where to Buy Chloroform

As your trusted partner in chemical supply, Lab Alley is always striving to meet the growing demands of our customers. We want you to be able to access all of your chemical needs in one place, along with streamlined online ordering and fast shipping.

Due to popular demand from our valued clientele, Lab Alley's Chloroform is available in a range of purities and packaging options to suit various commercial, laboratory, and personal needs.