The use of 1,1,2-trichloroethane is quite restrictive. It is used
to a slight extent as a specialty solvent and mostly as a
chemical intermediate; a solvent for fats, waxes, natural
resins, alkaloids, and various other organic materials; as
an intermediate in production of vinylidene chloride and
teflon tubing; and as a component of adhesives. The availability of other less toxic solvents discourages its use. More
than 95% of this compound manufactured in the United
States is consumed in producing vinylidene chloride.
Domestic production is about 410 million pounds. It must
not be confused with its much less toxic isomer, 1,1,1-
trichloroethane.