Occupational Exposure to Methylene Chloride

29 CFR 1910.105229 CFR 1910.1052

29 CFR 1915.105229 CFR 1915.1052

29 CFR 1926.115229 CFR 1926.1152

OSHA

Chemical Description

• Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon, chemical Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon, chemical formula - CHformula - CH22CLCL22

• Fat solubleFat soluble• Non-flammableNon-flammable• Volatile compoundVolatile compound• Metabolized to formaldehyde and carbon Metabolized to formaldehyde and carbon

monoxidemonoxide

METHYLENE CHLORIDE

Colorless liquid with a mild sweet odor.Colorless liquid with a mild sweet odor. A solvent which is used in many different types of work activities, A solvent which is used in many different types of work activities,

such as paint stripping, foam manufacturing, cleaning and degreasing.such as paint stripping, foam manufacturing, cleaning and degreasing. Employees exposed to it are at increased risk of developing cancer, Employees exposed to it are at increased risk of developing cancer,

effects on the heart, central nervous system, and liver, skin or eye effects on the heart, central nervous system, and liver, skin or eye irritation.irritation.

Exposure may occur through inhalation, absorbed through the skin or Exposure may occur through inhalation, absorbed through the skin or through contact with the skin. through contact with the skin.

Used in paint & varnish remover, in aerosols, in metal cleaning, and Used in paint & varnish remover, in aerosols, in metal cleaning, and extractions of fats and oils from food products.extractions of fats and oils from food products.

OSHA

Uses of Methylene Chloride

• Blowing agent in foam manufacturingBlowing agent in foam manufacturing• Solvent in aerosol productsSolvent in aerosol products• Solvent in manufacturingSolvent in manufacturing• Cleaning and degreasing solventCleaning and degreasing solvent• Component of paint strippersComponent of paint strippers

OSHA

Health Effects• Causes headaches, decreased attention Causes headaches, decreased attention

span, disorientation and loss of span, disorientation and loss of consciousness after high exposuresconsciousness after high exposures

• Metabolizes to carbon monoxide which Metabolizes to carbon monoxide which increases the risk of heart attackincreases the risk of heart attack

• Causes irritation to eyes and skin and skin Causes irritation to eyes and skin and skin burns after prolonged exposureburns after prolonged exposure

• Laboratory studies indicate chronic Laboratory studies indicate chronic exposure causes cancerexposure causes cancer

Material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

Labels on containersLabels on containers Manufacturing/Manufacturing/

importing MDAimporting MDA Hazard Hazard

communication communication programprogram

Location of MSDSsLocation of MSDSs

Potential health hazardsImmediate (acute) health Immediate (acute) health

effectseffects

FeverFever ChillsChills Loss of appetiteLoss of appetite VomitingVomiting

JaundiceJaundice DermatitisDermatitis AnorexiaAnorexia Dark urineDark urine

Potential health hazards Long-term (chronic effects)Long-term (chronic effects)

CarcinogenicCarcinogenic

MutagenicMutagenic

Liver, kidney, blood, or spleen problemsLiver, kidney, blood, or spleen problems

FIRST AID MEASURESEye contactEye contact: Flush eyes w/plenty of water for : Flush eyes w/plenty of water for

at least 15 minutesat least 15 minutesSkin contactSkin contact: wash skin w/plenty of water, : wash skin w/plenty of water,

remove contaminated clothing & shoes.remove contaminated clothing & shoes.Serious skin contactSerious skin contact: Wash w/disinfectant : Wash w/disinfectant

soap & cover skin w/anti bacterial creamsoap & cover skin w/anti bacterial cream InhalationInhalation: remove to fresh air, if breathing is : remove to fresh air, if breathing is

difficult give oxygendifficult give oxygen

FIRST AID MEASURES II

IngestionIngestion: Do NOT induce vomiting unless : Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel to do so. directed by medical personnel to do so. Never give anything by mouth to an Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If large quantities of unconscious person. If large quantities of this material are swallowed, call a physician this material are swallowed, call a physician immediately.immediately.

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

SMALL SPILLSMALL SPILL: Dilute w/water & mop : Dilute w/water & mop up, or absorb with an inert dry up, or absorb with an inert dry material & place in appropriate waste material & place in appropriate waste disposal container.disposal container.

LARGE SPILLLARGE SPILL: Absorb w/an inert : Absorb w/an inert material & put waste in appropriate material & put waste in appropriate waste disposal. waste disposal.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Keep locked upKeep locked up Keep away from heatKeep away from heat Keep away from sources of ignitionKeep away from sources of ignition Empty containers pose a fire riskEmpty containers pose a fire risk Do not ingestDo not ingest Do not breathe gas/fumes/vapor/sprayDo not breathe gas/fumes/vapor/spray Operate in sufficient ventilationOperate in sufficient ventilation

Personal protective equipment

PurposePurpose

Proper useProper use

LimitationsLimitations

Splash Goggles, Lab Splash Goggles, Lab Coat, Respirator & Coat, Respirator & Gloves.Gloves.

OSHA

(a) Scope and Application

Applies to all occupational exposure to Applies to all occupational exposure to methylene chloride in general industry, methylene chloride in general industry, construction, and shipyard employment.construction, and shipyard employment.

OSHA

(b) Definitions ““Emergency” means any occurrence such as, but Emergency” means any occurrence such as, but

not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment, containers, or failure of control equipment, which results, or is likely to result in which results, or is likely to result in uncontrolled release of MCuncontrolled release of MC

“ “Symptom” means central nervous system effects Symptom” means central nervous system effects such as headaches, disorientation, dizziness, such as headaches, disorientation, dizziness, fatigue, and decreased attention span; skin fatigue, and decreased attention span; skin effects such as chapping, erythema, cracked skin effects such as chapping, erythema, cracked skin or burns; and cardiac effects such as chest pains or burns; and cardiac effects such as chest pains or shortness of breathor shortness of breath

OSHA

(e) Regulated Areas

• Whenever exposures exceed or can Whenever exposures exceed or can reasonably be expected to exceed either reasonably be expected to exceed either 8-hour TWA PEL or STEL8-hour TWA PEL or STEL

• Access limited to authorized personsAccess limited to authorized persons• Respirators must be supplied to persons Respirators must be supplied to persons

entering areaentering area• Demarcation of areaDemarcation of area• Communication with other employersCommunication with other employers

OSHA

(f) Methods of Compliance

• Engineering and work practices controlsEngineering and work practices controls• Respirators as supplemental protectionRespirators as supplemental protection• Employee rotation as a method of Employee rotation as a method of

compliance prohibitedcompliance prohibited• Leak and spill detection procedures Leak and spill detection procedures

requiredrequired

OSHA

(h) Protective Work Clothing and Equipment

• Must be worn to prevent skin or eye Must be worn to prevent skin or eye irritationirritation

• Must be cleaned, laundered, repaired, Must be cleaned, laundered, repaired, replaced, disposed of and provided at no replaced, disposed of and provided at no cost to employeecost to employee

• Eye and face protection must meet Eye and face protection must meet requirements of 29 CFR 1910.133 or requirements of 29 CFR 1910.133 or 1915.1531915.153

OSHA

(i) Hygiene Facilities

• Washing facilities provided when Washing facilities provided when employees have potential skin contact employees have potential skin contact with 0.1% or more MC solutionswith 0.1% or more MC solutions

• Eyewash facilities provided for Eyewash facilities provided for emergency use when employees have emergency use when employees have potential eye contact with 0.1% or more potential eye contact with 0.1% or more MC solutionsMC solutions

OSHA

(k) Hazard Communication• The following hazards associated with MC The following hazards associated with MC

must be communicated on labels and must be communicated on labels and MSDSs in accordance with 29 CFR MSDSs in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1200, 29 CFR 1915.1200, and 29 1910.1200, 29 CFR 1915.1200, and 29 CFR 1926.59:CFR 1926.59:» CancerCancer» Cardiac effectsCardiac effects» Central nervous system effectsCentral nervous system effects» Liver effectsLiver effects» Skin and eye irritationSkin and eye irritation

OSHA

(l) Employee Information and Training

• Provided to employees prior to or on initial Provided to employees prior to or on initial job assignment and should include the job assignment and should include the following:following:» Information required under the Hazard Information required under the Hazard

Communication StandardCommunication Standard» Requirements in the standard and appendicesRequirements in the standard and appendices» Quantity, location, manner of use, release, and Quantity, location, manner of use, release, and

storage of MC and the specific nature of storage of MC and the specific nature of operations that result in MC exposureoperations that result in MC exposure