It is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of benzoyl chloride, benzotrifluoride and 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone which in turn are also intermediates in other reactions:[2] These compounds are further used to synthesize chemicals needed in the pharmaceutical industry (benzoyl peroxide), the synthesis of pesticides, dyes and UV-absorbing compounds which are often used in paint and plastics to prevent degradation by sunlight.

11002), and hence its use is subject to a list of reporting requirements by companies or institutions which synthesize, store or use it in large quantities.

In 2018, EU member states have approved a European Commission proposal to restrict the use of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) substances in clothing, textiles and footwear.

[2] Several symptoms are related to the tested exposure to benzotrichloride (BTC) in rats: irritation of the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract.

Finally, several rat studies into the acute toxic effects indicate that the respiratory system will be irritated after inhalation or oral uptake of BTC.

Microscopically, inflammation and squamous metaplasia of the cells lining the nasal, tracheal, bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium can occur in rats.

Histopathologically, an increased incidence of portal inflammatory cells infiltrate the liver and also bile duct proliferation is likely to occur.

The treated rats had irritated oral and ocular mucous membranes, while behaviour and breathing were altered for up to 13 days.

Laboured breathing, polyuria, sanguineous urine, and reduced activity were observed, lasting from 15 minutes after ingestion until 7–9 days.

Symptoms in these male rats included: bloody eyes, ataxia, cramps, diuresis, weight loss.

Besides the same symptoms described earlier, upon necropsy lung congestion, thymus with red foci and yellow stained urogenital region and fluid filled intestines were found.

After repeated exposure to a concentration of 12.8 mg/m3 twice weekly for 30 minutes, over 12 months in mice, severe bronchitis and bronchial pneumonia were observed.

[2] After feeding rats 0.048–53 mg/kg body weight for 28 days, only mild microscopical liver kidney and thyroid structure change was observed, even at the lowest dose.

[11] The data presented in this study suggest that BTC possess a low order of oral toxicity in the rat.

[16] In humans only a few cases of lung cancer are linked to either benzoyl chloride or benzotrichloride, although smoking also might have played a role.

[1] Research showed that the mutagenicity was not caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase, but it did not elucidate what metabolite was the main carcinogen.