[4][5] Historically, TCP has been used as a paint or varnish remover, a cleaning and degreasing agent, an anaesthetic and a solvent.

TCP is recognized in California as a human carcinogen, and extensive animal studies have shown that it causes cancer.

Short term exposure to TCP can cause throat and eye irritation and can affect muscle coordination and concentration.

In a drinking water project proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), TCP was one of sixteen suspected human carcinogens being considered for regulation in 2011.

Some soil fumigants, which contained a mixture of primarily 1,3-dichloropropene and 1,2-dichloropropane, and in which 1,2,3-TCP was a minor component, e.g., trade name of D-D, were marketed for the cultivation of various crops including citrus fruits, pineapples, soy beans, cotton, tomatoes, and potatoes.

[8] The state of Alaska has promulgated standards establishing cleanup levels for 1,2,3-trichloropropane contamination in soils and groundwater.

This makes TCP in its pure form a DNAPL (Dense Nonaqueous Phase Liquid) and it can be more difficult to remediate groundwater.

[6] TCP has been shown to undergo biodegradation under anaerobic conditions via reductive dechlorination by Dehalogenimonas (Dhg) species.