Description

Methylene chloride is a solvent and volatile organic compound (VOC). Methylene chloride is widely used in paint and varnish strippers, metal degreasers and some aerosol products, such as spray paints. These products release methylene chloride during use. Children may be exposed if nearby.

Methylene chloride is also used in the manufacture of photographic film and and is used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, metal cleaning and degreasing.and to remove caffeine from coffee.

It was once used in insecticides on strawberries, citrus fruit and some grains, but it is no longer registered for use in insecticides.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, dichloromethane is Highly Toxic
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, dichloromethane is Not Available
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), dichloromethane is Slightly Toxic

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

This chemical is likely to cause cancer. It is considered a Probable Carcinogen by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or another agency.
Neurotoxin = Can harm brain and central nervous system

Other

If inhaled, can affect the central nervous system, causing slight decreases in hearing and vision (temporary), dizziness, numbness in fingers and toes, drowsiness, headache, nausea, weakness, and at high concentrations, unconsciousness and death.
Skin and eye irritation and burns, respiratory tract irritation.
Potential exacerbation of existing liver disease.
People with heart conditions may worsen after inhalation of dichloromethane, which is broken down into carbon monoxide by the body, depleting the blood of oxygen. This can cause cardiac arrhythmia.
In test animals, at high concentration, dichloromethane inhalation during pregnancy has caused delayed development of the bones of the developing fetus.

How Exposures Occur

Drinking Water

Children can be exposed by drinking contaminated water.

Paint Strippers and Varnish Removers

Children can inhale methylene chloride when paint strippers, which can contain up to 60-80% methylene chloride, are used around the house.

Some Aerosol Products

Aerosol products such as spray paints and lubricants. Children can inhale methylene chloride if aerosol products containing it are sprayed in the home. If methylene chloride has been detected in your public water supply at higher than permitted levels, your local water utility is required to inform you by newspaper, radio, television, or other means.

Some Decaffeinated Coffees

Some decaffeinated coffees may contain traces of methylene chloride if that is the method used to extract caffeine.

Significant Statistics

The top three uses of dichloromethane are solvent in paint removers (23%), aerosol propellant (20%) and a solvent in manufacturing steroids, vitamins, antibiotics and tablet coatings (20%).

“Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride).” Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program. February 13, 2009. http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/eleventh/profiles/s066dich.pdf.

More than 200 million pounds are produced annually in the United States, and it is used in more than 10 industries.
Fan, Anna M. Ph.D. and George V. Alexeeff, Ph.D. Public Health Goals for Chemicals in Drinking Water: Dichloromethane. California Environmental Protection Agency. September 2000. http://www.oehha.ca.gov/water/phg/pdf/dcm.pdf.

Solutions

How to detect dichloromethane

Read labels or request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on paint removers, spray paints, and other household products. Some MSDS are available on the internet at Vermont Safety Information Resources Inc. You can also request an MSDS from the manufacturer. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requires that all consumer products containing more than 1% methylene chloride carry a label warning that the contents may cause cancer.
Dichloromethane is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires that community water systems monitor dichloromethane levels, and make public when levels exceed the set Maximum Contamination Level (MCL). The MCL for dichloromethane has also been set at 5 parts per billion of water.

Community water systems are required to produce annual consumer confidence reports and mail them to every water customer.

If your water source is a well, your water is not monitored for contaminants as is required for public water supplies by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Private testing of the water is necessary.

Even if your water comes from a community water system, contaminant levels can vary from house to house. You can have your water tested by sending samples to a certified laboratory.

You can search for water quality reports from your water provider, obtain information on well water testing and find a list of state-certified drinking water laboratories at the U.S. EPA’s Office of Water’s website or call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 800-426-4791.
You can check for products that contain dichloromethane (often listed as methylene chloride) at the National Institutes of Health Household Products Database.

How to minimize exposure to dichloromethane

Take great care when using products containing methylene chloride or avoid it altogether. Use methylene chloride only outdoors or with lots of ventilation and with skin protected from contact. Never use in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. Do not use around children or if you are pregnant. People with heart problems should avoid products containing methylene chloride.

Alternatives

For stripping paint, make a thick paste with mineral washing soda (found in the laundry section of the supermarket) and water, wearing gloves to avoid skin contact with the soda, which can sting. Apply to surface with a putty knife. Leave on for several hours and keep damp by misting with water from a spray bottle. Rinse and peel off the paint.