United Slale* I PA !Vt t *» 014
tnviraomental Protection Deoemtiei 1994
Agency
CXTr.e of Pollution Prevention and Tones (74U1)
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Chemicals can be released lo ihc etni-
ronmcnl as a result of their manufacture.
processing, and use The EPA has devel-
oped information summaries on selected
chemicals to describe how you might he
exposed to these chemicals, how exposure
to them might affect you and the envi-
ronment, what happens 10 them in the en-
vironment, who regulates them, and whom
lo contact for additional information EPA is
committed to reducing environmental re-
leases of chemicals through source reduc-
tion and other practices that reduce creation
of pollutants.
WHAT IS METHYLCHLOROFORM,
HOW IS IT USED, AND HOW MIGHT
I BE EXPOSED?
Mclhylchloroform (also called
l.l.l-lnchloroelhanc) is a colorless, non-
flammable liquid ll does not occur naturally
but is produced in large amounts (648 mil-
lion pounds in 1'WI) by three companies in
die United Slates Because of o/onc de-
plcuon concerns. EPA has restricted future
US production of methylchloroform After
1W5, US production of methylchloroform
will be less than 50 million pounds per year
The major users of mclhylchloroform arc
companies that use the chemical to clean
metal surfaces It is also added to aerosol
formulations, adhesivcs, protective surface
coatings, cutting oils, and printing inks
Companies also use melhylchloroform to
make other chemicals, such as vinylidcnc
chloride.
Exposure lo methylchloroform can
occur in the workplace or in the environ-
ment following releases to air. water, land
or groundwatcr Exposure can also occur
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when people use products containing Ihc
chemical. Methylchlorolbmi enters the body
when breathed in with contaminated air or when
consumed with contaminated food or water It is
also absorbed through skin contact Nearly all
the methylchloroform that enters the body is
removed with exhaled air The body may store
small amounts of the chemical in fat tissue
before it is cither removed with exhaled air or it
breaks down and is removed in urine
WHAT HAPPENS TO
METHYLCHLOROFORM IN THE
ENVIRONMENT?
Mcthylchloroform evaporates when
exposed to air It dissolves when mixed with
water Most direct releases of mcthylchloroform
to the environment arc to air Methy (chloroform
also evaporates from water and soil exposed to
air Once in air. it cither breaks down slowly lo
other chemicals or moves slowly to the upper
atmosphere Because it is a liquid that docs not
bind well to soil, mcthylchloroform that makes
its way into the ground can move through the
ground and enter groundwater Plants and
animals arc not likely to store mcthylchlorofomv
HOW DOES METHYLCHLOROFORM
AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE
ENVIRONMENT?
Effects of mcthylchloroform on human
health and the environment depend on how
much nicthy(chloroform is present and the
length and frequency of exposure Effects also
depend on the health of a person or the condition
of the environment when exposure occurs
Breathing large amounts of mcthyl-
chloroform for short periods of lime adversely
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alTccts ihc human nervous system and
the cardiovascular system Effects range
from headaches, unsteadiness, and
fatique to unconsciousness and death
Mclhylchloroform also can cause ir-
regular heart beat Direct contact with
liquid mcthylchloroform irritates Uic
skin Its vapor irritates the eyes, the
nose, and the throat These effects arc
not likely to occur at levels of methyl-
chloroform that arc normally found in
the environment.
Human health effects associ-
ated with breathing or otherwise con-
suming smaller amounts of mclhylchlo-
roform over long periods of time arc not
known Laboratory studies show that
repeated exposure to large amounts of
methylchlorofonn adversely affects the
liver, the heart and the kidneys of
animals The mcthylchloroform in-
dustry has completed several animal
studies in response to an EPA request for
testing Methylchlorofonn causes ad-
verse effects in the developing fetus of
animals that breathe air contaminated
with large amounts of ihc chemical
Methylchloroform is not likely
to cause immediate environmental harm
at levels normally found in the envi-
ronment However, it is likely to remain
in the air long enough to reach the upper
atmosphere Here it can be a source of
chlorine atoms that damage the Earth's
o/onc layer O/onc damage in the upper
atmosphere can lead to increased levels
of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation
reaching the Earth's surface Increased.
surface UV radiation can adversely af-
fect human health and the environment.
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WHAT EPA PROGRAM omcis RICI LATE MrrHYLcm-OROFORM, AND UNDER WHAT LAWS is rr REGULATED?
EPA OFFICE
Pollution Prevention & Toxics
Air
Solid Waste &
Emergency Response
Water
LAW
Toxic Substances Control Act
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA): Regulations (§ 313)
Toxics Release Inventory data
Clean Air Act
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act EPCRA (§ 304'"311312)
Clean Water Act
Safe Drinking Water Act (Drinking Water Standard 0.2 mg/L)
NEPIS
A technical support document is available from the TSCA Assistance Information Service, (202) 554-1404.
WHAT OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES OR GROUPS CAN I CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ON METHYLCHLOROFORM?
AGENCY/GROUT
Agency for Tome Substances and Disease Registry
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygierusts
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Food and Drug Administration
National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (ErmroHealth Clearinghouse)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Occupational Safety and Hearth Administration
-f
PHONE NUMBER
(202)554-1404
(800)535-0202
(202)260-1531
(919)541-0888
(800) 535-0202
(202)260-7588
(800)426-4791
PHONE NUMBER
(404) 639-6000
(513)742-2020
(301)504-0994
(301)443-3170
(800) 643-4794
(800) 356-4674
(Check your local phone book under US Department of Labor)
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