Chloroform

What is chloroform?

Chloroform, also called trichloromethane or methyltrichloride, is a colorless liquid with a pleasant, nonirritating odor and a slightly sweet taste. As a volatile organic compound (VOC), chloroform easily vaporizes (turns into a gas) in the air. Chloroform does not easily burn, but it will burn when it reaches very high temperatures. Chloroform was one of the first inhaled anesthetics to be used during surgery, but it is not used in anesthesia today.

Where do you find chloroform?

In order to destroy the harmful bacteria found in our drinking water and waste waters, the chemical chlorine is added to these water sources. As a by-product of adding chlorine to our drinking and waste waters, small amounts of chloroform are formed. So small amounts of chloroform are likely to be found almost everywhere. In industry, nearly all the chloroform made in the U.S. is used to make other chemicals. From the factories that make or use this