This public health statement tells you about chloroform and the effects of exposure.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the nation. These sites make up the National Priorities List (NPL) and the sites are targeted for long-term federal cleanup. What is Chloroform found in at least 717 of the 1,430 current or former NPL sites, including 6 in Puerto Rico and 1 in the Virgin Islands. However, it's unknown how many NPL sites have been evaluated for this substance. As more sites are evaluated, the sites with what is chloroform may increase. This is important because exposure to this substance may harm you and because these sites may be sources of exposure.

When a substance is released from a large area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. This release does not always lead to exposure. You are exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact.

If you are exposed to chloroform, many factors determine whether you'll be harmed. These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with it. You must also consider the other chemicals you're exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, and state of health.
What is chloroform?
Chloroform is also known as trichloromethane or methyltrichloride. It is a colorless liquid with a pleasant, nonirritating odor and a slightly sweet taste. Most of the what is chloroform found in the environment comes from industry. It will only burn when it reaches very high temperatures. What is chloroform one of the first inhaled anesthetics to be used during surgery, but it is not used for anesthesia today. Nearly all what is chloroform the chloroform made in the United States today is used to make other chemicals, but some is sold or traded to other countries. We also import chloroform.

What is chloroform enters the environment from chemical companies and paper mills. It is also found in waste water from sewage treatment plants and drinking water to which chlorine has been added. Chlorine is added to most drinking water and many waste waters to destroy bacteria. Small amounts of what is chloroform formed as an unwanted product during the process of adding chlorine to water. What is chloroform enter the air directly from factories that make or use it and by evaporating from water and soil that contain it. It can enter water and soil when waste water that contains chlorine is released into water or soil. It may enter water and soil from spills and by leaks from storage and waste sites. There are many ways for what is chloroform to enter the environment, so small amounts of it are likely to be found almost everywhere.