What are the main health and safety risks of trichloroethylene exposure?

What are the main health and safety risks of trichloroethylene exposure?
Trichloroethylene primarily acts as a central nervous system depressant. Acute exposure—via inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion—can cause rapid unconsciousness at very high concentrations, plus headache, dizziness, intoxication, and drowsiness within hours. Severe cases may progress to delirium, seizures, coma, respiratory failure, and circulatory collapse. It can also damage the trigeminal nerve, heart (arrhythmias), liver, and kidneys. Chronic effects remain debated but include persistent headaches, fatigue, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal issues, peripheral neuritis, myocardial damage, and trigeminal nerve palsy. OSHA classifies it as a proven carcinogen, though ACGIH lists it as A5 (not suspected in humans). Skin contact can cause irritation and dermatitis. These hazards are driving regulatory crackdowns and substitution trends globally.