By Diane Colabello, Ph.D., Senior Health and Safety Specialist
Methylene chloride, also called Dichloromethane (DCM), is a volatile halogenated solvent utilized in various industries and applications. It can be found in adhesives, paint, metal cleaning products, chemical processing, etc. While Methylene Chloride has many uses, exposures have been associated with various health risks. Short-term exposures can affect the central nervous system, and chronic exposures can lead to different cancers, neurotoxicity, liver harm, and even death.
Earlier this year, the EPA issued a final rule that bans most uses of Methylene Chloride. Laboratory research is approved, but strict guidelines must be followed to ensure protection. In addition to the final ruling, the EPA has created an FAQ resource and a Fact Sheet that outlines the hazards of DCM and conditions for compliance. This includes the creation of a Workplace Chemical Protection Program, which EHS will be developing along with appropriate monitoring and training.
EHS has utilized the chemical inventories in Salute to identify laboratories with Methylene Chloride in stock. A survey will be sent out shortly to those labs to confirm and identify uses of Methylene Chloride on campus.
If your lab works with Methylene Chloride, read below to learn how to prepare your laboratory for the impact of this ruling:
- Identify if your lab is storing or using DCM (e.g., consult your inventory, SDSs, chemical labels, and manufacturer’s websites).
- Ensure all DCM is accounted for and logged in the lab’s Salute Inventory.
- Consult Solvent Selection Guides and determine if there are suitable alternatives to using DCM for your research protocols.
- Designate a specific area for work. Only work with DCM in a functioning chemical fume hood.
- Order and store the smallest quantity necessary to perform work.
- If you can eliminate the use of DCM, place a waste request with EHS to remove it from the lab.
- Contact EHS with any questions!
Still want to know more? The SciShield article, How the EPA ban of methylene chloride will impact laboratories, summarizes the hazards of DCM and critical points of the EPA’s final ruling.