Methylene chloride

Overview

Methylene chloride (MC) is a colorless liquid that has a sweet odor. It is used as paint and varnish remover, a solvent, and a degreaser. Methylene chloride is dangerous. It can severely burn your skin and eyes. It can also damage your liver, kidneys, and brain. You are exposed when you breathe the vapors or get methylene chloride on your skin. Although it has an odor, you may not be aware of it.

Breathing methylene chloride irritates your nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and weakness. Severe overexposure can kill you. Bathtub and tile refinishers who use methylene chloride-based products should be especially careful to reduce their exposure and protect themselves.

All available content

Publications

Hazard alerts
- Methylene Chloride - bathroom fixture refinishing
  Hazard alert on why methylene chloride is a hazard for bathroom refinishers.
  English 07/31/2013
Quick facts
- El cloruro de metileno
  Methylene chloride
  Datos rápidos para trabajadores sobre el cloruro de metileno. El cloruro de metileno (CM) es un líquido incoloro de olor dulce. El cloruro de metileno es muy peligroso. Pude quemarle gravemente la piel y los ojos. También puede dañarle el hígado, los riñones, y el cerebro. - | - Quick facts for employees about methylene chloride. Methylene chloride (MC) is a colorless liquid that has a sweet odor. Methylene chloride is very dangerous. It can severely burn your skin and eyes. It can also damage your liver, kidneys, and brain.
  Spanish 05/19/2015
References
- Rules with requirements
  We get many calls and emails from employers asking the same question. It begins: “Which of your rules have requirements for…” You can finish the sentence with words like “recordkeeping,” “employee training,” and “written documents.” To answer those questions, we’ve organized these rules requirements into a filterable, sortable, searchable table.
  English 05/10/2019

Education and training

Rules and rule-related

Final Rules
- Division 2, Subdivision Z, 1910.1052, Methylene Chloride
  4-2103 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances
  Administrative Order 11-2021 Word version
Program Directives
- Methylene Chloride
  Purpose: This instruction establishes policies and provides clarification to ensure uniform enforcement of the Occupational Exposure to Methylene Chloride Standard, OAR 437-002-1910.1052, and OAR 437-003-1926.1152.
  A-221 02/07/2002

Video Resources

Borrow from the Resource Center

Watch Online

English
- Toxic Paint Removers: Safer Alternatives
  Methylene chloride (dichloromethane) is a widely used solvent that can cause serious illness or death when used in enclosed spaces. The video was produced by the California Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) within the Occupational Health Branch of the California Department of Public Health.
  Language: English Length: 7:45 minutes

Additional Resources

Highlights

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Quick facts for employees about methylene chloride