Toxicity of chloroform

(1) Chloroform is strongly absorbed by the pulmonary, oral and cutaneous routes. (2) It has adverse cardiac, hepatic, renal, dermatological, neurological and ophthalmological effects. Deaths related to chloroform use have occurred. In animals, chloroform is carcinogenic and embryotoxic. (3) Since 1997, the European and French medicines agencies have no longer considered chloroform to be a simple solvent. Only minimal amounts are authorised in drug preparations (no more than 0.6 mg/day).