The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency releases a final revised risk determination for methylene chloride as a whole chemical substance. The final revised risk determination finds that methylene chloride presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health under its conditions of use.
The final revised risk determination does not assume that all workers exposed to methylene chloride are always provided or appropriately wear personal protective equipment (PPE). The consideration of this information will be part of the risk management process.
EPA determined that 52 out of the 53 conditions of use evaluated would drive the determination that methylene chloride presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health under its conditions of use. EPA assessed the impact of the chemical on workers, occupational non-users, consumers and bystanders. The primary health risks identified in the risk evaluation are neurotoxicity from short-term exposure to the chemical and liver effects and cancer from long-term exposure.
The EPA says consumers should not use paint and coating removers containing methylene chloride. The agency regulated sales of methylene chloride in paint and coating removers for consumer use in March 2019. After November of that year, the agency prohibited anyone from manufacturing (including importing), processing and distributing in commerce, including distribution to and by retailers, methylene chloride for consumer paint and coating removal.
For more information, visit: www.epa.gov
