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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