Methylene Chloride

Abstract

Methylene chloride is an industrial solvent used in commercial paint strippers and degreasing agents. This chemical is widely used in consumer products, yet without appropriate protections, exposure may lead to death. Already banned in some countries, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed limiting its use in the United States.

Methylene chloride (MC), a volatile, colorless, and sweet-smelling liquid, is an industrial solvent used in paint strippers, metal cleaners, degreasing agents, plastics, and polyurethane adhesives. Methylene chloride also serves as a blowing agent in polyurethane foams, propellant mixture in aerosol containers, and an extracting agent in the pharmaceutical industry. Workers most at risk are in chemical manufacturing and industrial facilities, but exposures can occur in shipbuilding and repair; aircraft manufacturing; reupholstering and furniture repair; automotive body, paint, and interior repair; and painting, wall covering, and flooring workplaces.

Exposure mainly occurs through inhalation and dermal contact. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Methylene Chloride Standard (Number 1910.1052 App A), short-term inhalation exposure symptoms include lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, headache, and mental confusion; prolonged exposure can cause staggering, loss of consciousness, and death. Workers with cardiovascular disease are at risk for angina and cardiac dysfunction. Skin and eye splashes may cause irritation or burns (OSHA, 2013). Detection of MC odor indicates that air levels exceed OSHA’s permissible exposure levels, yet workers’ sense of smell is quickly desensitized, increasing the risk of overexposure. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and OSHA released a MC hazard alert after bathtub refinishers suffered 14 deaths in just over 10 years; these deaths occurred predominantly in poorly ventilated rooms and without proper respiratory protection (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NIOSH, 2013).

The European Union (EU) restricts paint strippers containing MC to industrial use under limited conditions (EU, 2010). In the United States, the chemical is available commercially, in consumer products in home improvement stores. A U.S. consumer advocacy group reported at least 56 overexposure deaths among workers and consumers since 1980 (Hopkins, 2015). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that MC use poses unreasonable health risks and recently proposed a ban to restrict its manufacture (including import), processing, and use in most types of commercial paint or coating removal and by consumers. Specifically, EPA wants to ban MC use in painting and decorating, floor refinishing, automotive refinishing, civilian aircraft refinishing, graffiti removal, construction renovations and contracting, bridge repair and repainting, and marine craft refinishing and repair. The EPA proposed allowing continued use of MC by professional commercial furniture finishers or when critical for national security; however, commercial distribution would be limited to 55-gallon drums or greater to eliminate the chemical from retail shelves (EPA, 2017).

Deaths associated with MC are preventable. The OSHA (n.d.) published 11 MC fact sheets to guide prevention efforts among small entities, but the information is useful anywhere. Occupational and environmental health nurses can raise awareness at the worksite about MC health risks, including paint strippers with MC in home improvement projects. Collaborating with local emergency providers and Chambers of Commerce plus letters to local news sources about MC hazards may raise public awareness and encourage home improvement retailers to educate their consumers. The EPA has not issued a final rule on the proposed MC ban; nurses should advocate among legislators and communities about the need for strong public policies to prevent lethal exposures from MC.