EPA 7«-F-W 018
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oBW Chemicals in the
       Environment
       METHYLENE CHLORIDE
       (Dichloromethane)

       (CAS NO. 754)9-2)

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Chemicals can be released to the envi-
ronment as a result or their manufacture,
processing, and use.  The EPA has de-
veloped information  summaries on se-
lected  chemicals to  describe  how you
might be exposed to these chemicals, how
exposure to them might affect you and the
environment, what happens to them in the
environment,  who regulates them, and
whom  to contact for additional informa-
tion. EPA is committed to reducing en-
vironmental   releases  of  chemicals
through source reduction and other prac-
tices (hat reduce creation of pollutants.

WHAT IS METHYLENE CHLORIDE,
    HOW IS  IT USED, AND HOW
       MIGHT I BE EXPOSED?

       Melhylcnc chloride (also called
dichloromelhane)  is  a colorless,  non-
flammable  liquid.  It does not  occur
naturally but is produced in large amounts
(3SO miljion  pounds  in 1992) by three
companies in  the United States.  Recent
US production of methylene chloride has
declined (about 10% a year since  1988).
US demand for methylene chloride is
likely to  continue to fall. The largest
users of methylene chloride ace compa-
nies (hat make paint strippers.   Foam
makers use methylene chloride as  a
blowing agent. Other companies use it to
clean metal surfaces. Methylene chloride
can also be added to aerosol sprays or
used to extract unwanted  material from
foods and beverages, such  as coffee.

       Exposure to methylene chloride
can  occur in the  workplace  or in the

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environment following releases lo air, water,
land, or groundwatcr   Exposure  can  also
occur when people use certain aerosol paint
sprays and paint strippers.  Mclhylenc chlo-
ride enters the body  when breathed in with
contaminated  air or when consumed with
contaminated  food or water.  It can also be
absorbed through skin contact.  It is not likely
to remain in the body due to its breakdown
and removal.
  WHAT HAPPENS TO METHYLENE
 CHLORIDE IN THE ENVIRONMENT?

       Methylene chloride evaporates when
exposed to air. It dissolves when mixed with
water.  Most direct  releases of mcthylcne
chloride to  the  environment  are to air.
Methylene chloride  also evaporates  from
water and soil exposed to air.  Once in air,
methylene  chloride  breaks  down  to  other
chemicals.  Because it is a liquid that does not
bind well  to  soil, methylene chloride that
makes its  way into  the ground can  move
through the ground and enter groundwater.
Plants  and animals arc not  likely to store
methylene chloride

HOW DOES METHYLENE CHLORIDE
 AFFECT HUMAN  HEALTH AND THE
          ENVIRONMENT?

       Effects of methylene  chloride  on
human health and the  environment depend on
how much methyicnc chloride 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.

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        Breathing large amounts  of
methylcnc chloride for short periods
of time adversely affects the  human
nervous system and the heart.  Effects
range from unsteadiness  and  numb-
ness in fingers and  toes to  uncon-
sciousness and death.  The heart has to
work harder, and the blood carries less
oxygen as the body breaks mcthylene
chloride down to carbon monoxide.
Direct contact with methylene chlo-
ride liquid or vapor irritates the skin
and  the eyes.  These effects are not
likely to occur at levels of methylene
chloride that are normally found in the
envi
       Human health  effects asso-
ciated  with breathing  or otherwise
consuming smaller amounts of meth-
ylene chloride over long periods of
time  are  not known.    Laboratory
studies show that repeat exposure to
methylene chloride causes kidney and
liver damage and cancer in animals
that  breathe air or drink water  con-
taminated with the chemical.  Repeat
exposure to methylene  chloride  may
likewise cause cancer in humans.

       Methylene chloride  is   not
likely to cause environmental harm at
levels normally  found  in the envi-
ronment.   Reactions in air, although
slow, tend  to eliminate methylene
chloride before it reaches the upper
atmosphere in amounts sufficient to
damage the ozone layer.

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