Preventing Worker Deaths from Methylene Chloride – Additional Information

Links to additional information from other organizations on the hazards and health effects of methylene chloride (dichloromethane).

• NIOSH Methylene Chloride Topic Page 
• Federal OSHA Safety and Health Topics: Methylene Chloride
• Fatal Exposure to Methylene Chloride Among Bathtub Refinishers, 2000-2011 – MMWR article, February 2012.
• Methylene Chloride Consumer Product Paint Strippers: Low-VOC, Low Toxicity Alternatives (PDF, 1.3 MB) – Institute for Research and Technical Assistance, May 2006.
• Source Characterization and Personal Exposure to Methylene Chloride from Consumer Products (PDF, 2.1 MB) , Girman J, Hodgson AT – paper presented at Annual Meeting of the Air Pollution Control Association, 1986.
• Exposure to methylene chloride from controlled use of a paint remover in residences (PDF, 1.2 MB) , Hodgson AT, Girman J – paper presented at Annual Meeting of the Air Pollution Control Association, 1987.

European Union Documents

The European Union has restricted the sale of methylene-chloride-containing paint strippers to consumers and for most occupational uses. These documents provide additional background and technical information.

• European Parliament Decision No. 455/2009/EC amending Council Directive 76/769/EEC as regards restrictions on the marketing and use of dichloromethane (PDF)  – May 2009.
• Decision of the European Parliament as regards restrictions on the marketing and use of dichloromethane (PDF)  – Includes possible policy options to control the risks from dichloromethane in paint stripping applications; February 2008.
• Impact Assessment of Potential Restrictions on the Marketing and Use of Dichloromethane in Paint Strippers (PDF, 1 MB) – Report prepared for European Commission Directorate – General Enterprise and Industry, April 2007. 

Preventing Worker Deaths from Paint Strippers Containing Methylene Chloride – main page