This hydrocarbon has been implicated in “degreaser’s flush”, where a disulfiram like reaction with concomitant ethanol consumption has occurred.
Trichloroethylene is used as an industrial solvent, cleanser and degreaser. It competitively inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase and when alcohol consumption occurs, it can result in a disulfiram like reaction.
Stewart RD, Hake CL, Peterson JE. “Degreaser’s flush”. Arch Environ Health. 1974;29(1):1-5. doi:10.1080/00039896.1974.10666517
Submitted by: Natasha Tobarran, DO on behalf of The Medical Toxicology Fellowship, Virginia Commonwealth University
Posted in Question Of The Day