METHYLENE CHLORIDE

Methylene chloride (CAS # 75-09-2), also known as dichloromethane, is a colorless liquid with a mild, sweet odor that can be detected as low as 0.9 parts per million (odor threshold). Methylene chloride is a volatile solvent, a neurotoxicant, and a carcinogen, used in laboratories, workshops, and facilities that is commonly found as a stock chemical or as a component in degreasing products, paint strippers, metal cleaners, and aerosols.

• What has changed?

  On May 8, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued a final rule regulating the manufacture, distribution, and use of methylene chloride (89 FR 39254). This rule was issued under the authority of the Toxic Control Substance Control Act. The rule bans certain uses of methylene chloride and restricts certain other uses. Based on the requirements of this new rule, the Environmental Health and Safety Department has developed and implemented the new Methylene Chloride Exposure Control Plan Policy which outlines the new requirements for working with Methylene Chloride for all areas.

• Current requirements to use methylene chloride

  If you plan to continue using methylene chloride you must:

  • Review the Methylene Chloride Exposure Control Plan Policy
  • Complete the ELS 032 Methylene Chloride Safety Training, available online through Brightspace. 
  • Fill out the Methylene Chloride Survey Form if you have not already done so. 
  • Contact EH&S to schedule initial exposure monitoring.

  Additional details can be found in the Safety Notices below:

  • Safety Notice: Methylene Chloride in Laboratories
  • Safety Notice: Methylene Chloride for Non-Laboratory Uses
• Additional information for laboratories

  The safest method to reduce exposure to methylene chloride is to eliminate its use in the laboratory where feasible. This can include disposing of legacy materials. 

  Substitution with safer alternatives may be feasible in select cases depending on the process(es) involved. 

  When elimination or substitution are not viable options, carefully review your process(es) to determine if scaling down is an option to reduce the volume used as well as the volume kept in storage.

• Additional information for facilities and services

  Provisions of this final rule limit the types of work that can be performed with materials containing methylene chloride. It also sets new inhalation exposure limits and requires related workplace exposure monitoring and exposure controls for work that is still permitted. In order for EH&S to better understand your use of methylene chloride-containing materials, you are required to complete the Methylene Chloride Survey Form regarding your (or your vendors’) use of these materials. 

  The provisions of the final rule for methylene chloride include prohibitions on the manufacture and distribution for all consumer use. This may affect your ability, or your vendors’ ability, to purchase methylene chloride-containing solvents and sprays in the immediate future. 

  This may also affect contractors and vendors depending on the types of work they perform under contract and the materials they use to complete that work. 

  This section will be updated regularly as more information becomes available.

   

• Methylene Chloride Survey Form

  Methylene Chloride Survey Form