Common Names: Methylene Chloride, Methylene Dichloride, Dichloromethane.
CAS No.
75-09-02
This versatile solvent has been used for many years in a broad spectrum of industries. Processors / handlers of polyurethane materials have benefited by using this material for cleaning injector head and soaking / removal of material from machine and component parts, also in specific areas of the manufacturing process.
As with all chemical solvents and the developing knowledge of their potential effects on company operatives, handling techniques and risk assessment have to take place. More and more chemicals are being scientifically evaluated with regard risk in use. Based on this developing knowledge / evidence it is the company managers responsibility to review the handling of materials on site and seek safer replacements to reduce the risk of handling and exposure to their personnel. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) evaluation (1999) classified methylene chloride (DCM) as a group 2B carcinogen (possibility carcinogenic in humans) and the U.S.A. EPA, OSHA, and I.MM have derived health standards based on the potential carcinogenic hazards of methylene chloride (DCM).
The designation of methylene chloride by (IARC) has already caused Manufacturing Managers in the U.S.A. to replace methylene chloride by recognised alternatives or to put in place more stringent and costly handling methods to limit exposure to their personnel. Many companies in the U.S.A. have removed it completely from their factories due to the associated costs of handling and disposal.
The current situation in Europe is that the classification of methylene chloride (DCM) is under review and is at variance to the position in the U.S.A. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has listed methylene chloride as a class 2B carcinogen. It is believed therefore that the review of European legislation will bring about changes in Europe similar to the U.S.A. Based on this alone, consideration of the possible future outcome should prompt manufacturing processors and their managers to review their current handling methods and any alternative materials which could offer a lower risk to their employees.
Dynaloy offer alternative products which are now being made available in Europe
through Distributors. Dynaloy Inc., U.S.A., has a number of products which have
proved themselves effective as Urethane Removal Solvents for industrial
applications and many of these are non-flammable, non-chlorinated,
non-carcinogenic, non-regulated solvent designed to replace methylene chloride,
acetone, MEK, and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. Dynaloy Chemists are continually
working to develop safer products for industry and their helpline is available
to consider your problems.
The Commission originally awarded the University of Karlsruhe a project to develop a platform for the exchange of information on the VOC Directive. This project is currently being reviewed and the web site is not currently available. We will include an updated link to this site at a future date. The original site was an Experimental website available in three languages (English, French and German at it was located at http://www.voc-infoex.uni-karlsruhe.de/en/index.html the site was intended to provide background information on the directive, its scope and implementation in EU member states, as well as guidance documents.