Liver disease following occupational exposure to 1,1,1-trichloroethane: a case report

A patient with a progressive liver disease whose job involved substantial exposure to 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCE) was seen. A comprehensive work-up ruled out nonoccupational etiologies for his liver condition. Neither the patient's history nor his liver histology suggested alcoholic cirrhosis. Removal of the patient from exposure to TCE led to significant improvement of his impaired liver function over a 3-month period. We conclude that this was a case of occupational liver disease induced by chronic exposure to TCE. This report joins other reports concerning hepatotoxicity of TCE which is considered the least toxic among the halogenated hydrocarbon solvents.