At a glance
| Chemical family | Chlorinated solvent — ozone-depleting substance |
| CAS number | 56-23-5 |
| Classification | IARC Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans); Montreal Protocol ozone-depleting substance (phased out); EPA Group B2 (probable human carcinogen) |
| Where you encounter it | Legacy contamination near dry cleaning and industrial sites; trace levels in ambient air (declining); historical uses: fire extinguisher fluid, dry cleaning solvent, grain fumigant |
| Sleep micro-environment relevance | Minimal direct bedroom relevance. Carbon tetrachloride has been eliminated from consumer products since the 1970s-1980s. Trace levels in ambient air are detectable but extremely low and declining globally |
Regulatory & certification status
| European Union | REACH Annex XVII restricts use. Banned from consumer products. CLP Carc. 2 (H351). Ozone Regulation (EC) 1005/2009 implements Montreal Protocol phase-out. Regulatory |
| United States | EPA MCL for drinking water: 5 µg/L. Clean Air Act hazardous air pollutant. California Proposition 65 listed (cancer). Banned from consumer products. Regulatory |
| Canada | CEPA Schedule 1. Montreal Protocol implementation. Drinking water guideline: 2 µg/L. Regulatory |
| International | IARC Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic). Montreal Protocol — ozone-depleting substance, production phased out. Global atmospheric levels declining. Regulatory |
What it is
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is the simplest fully chlorinated hydrocarbon — four chlorine atoms on a single carbon. It was widely used as a dry cleaning solvent, fire extinguisher fluid, refrigerant, grain fumigant, and chemical feedstock. Its production for dispersive uses was phased out under the Montreal Protocol (1987) because it is an ozone-depleting substance. IARC classified carbon tetrachloride as Group 2B based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals (liver tumours) and inadequate evidence in humans. It is highly toxic to the liver and kidneys. Global atmospheric concentrations have been declining since the phase-out but remain detectable.
Where it shows up in bedding
Carbon tetrachloride has no use in modern bedding products and was never a mattress material. Its bedroom relevance is limited to trace ambient air contamination and potential vapour intrusion near contaminated industrial sites. Unlike some other chlorinated solvents (trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene), carbon tetrachloride is rarely implicated in residential vapour intrusion because its production and use have declined so substantially. For most bedrooms, carbon tetrachloride is not a meaningful exposure source.
Citations
- IARC (1999). Carbon Tetrachloride. IARC Monographs Vol. 71. Source Peer-reviewed
- ATSDR (2005). Toxicological Profile for Carbon Tetrachloride. Source Regulatory
- UNEP. Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Source Regulatory
Frequently asked questions
Is carbon tetrachloride still used?
Carbon tetrachloride is still produced in limited quantities as a chemical feedstock (to make refrigerants and other chemicals), but all dispersive uses (solvents, fire extinguishers, grain fumigants) have been eliminated under the Montreal Protocol. You will not encounter it in consumer products.
Can carbon tetrachloride contaminate a home?
Only if the home is located near a contaminated industrial site where carbon tetrachloride was historically manufactured or used in large quantities. Vapour intrusion from contaminated groundwater is theoretically possible but rare for this compound. If you suspect industrial contamination near your home, contact your state environmental agency for testing.
Related compounds
Embr is a sleep environment company researching and addressing the chemistry of the bedroom. Research and product development in progress.
Last reviewed 2026-07-07. If you find a factual error, contact us.