To the Editor.—1,1,1-Trichloroethane (TCE), also known as methyl chloroform, is a solvent used to remove grease, oil, or wax from metal surfaces. Disposable gauze pads saturated with TCE have found wide acceptance in hospitals as an adhesive tape remover. In the newborn intensive care unit, these pads are used to remove tape from intravenous sites and from around the nose and mouth when nasal cannulae and endotracheal tubes are removed. 1,1,1-Trichloroethane is rapidly absorbed through the lungs, and its clinical effects are related to its concentration in the air.1,2 1,1,1-Trichloroethane levels of 160 ppm have been measured in incubator air following the use of adhesive tape remover pads on an infant mannequin.3 The situation exists, therefore, where appreciable quantities might be inhaled by very small infants. This possibility is enhanced if TCE is applied close to the nares. Furthermore, although TCE absorption through the skin has been