Methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane, is a clear, colorless, volatile liquid widely used in paint stripping, adhesive formulation and as a solvent. While it is highly effective as an industrial solvent, methylene chloride exposure poses serious health risks that have led to tighter regulation of its use in recent years.

Common Industrial and Commercial Uses

Methylene chloride has a long history of use in paint stripping, adhesive formulation, and as a general solvent mainly due to its volatility, low cost and ability to dissolve many organic materials. Some major uses of methylene chloride include:

- Paint stripping: Methylene chloride-based paint strippers are commonly used for removing old paint from surfaces before repainting. The chemical dissolves and liquefies aged paint for easier removal.

- Adhesive production: Many contact cements and glues used products such as wood flooring, auto bodywork and shoes utilize methylene chloride as a primary solvent.

-Cleaning agent: The chemical is frequently used as an industrial degreasing agent for removing oil, grease and dirt in metal manufacturing operations. It also serves as a cleaning solvent in the production of pharmaceuticals.

Health Effects of Exposure

While methylene chloride enables many industrial processes, exposure to it poses serious health risks to workers and consumers. The chemical can be absorbed through inhalation of vapors, ingestion or skin/eye contact. Its main adverse health effects include:

- Central nervous system effects: High concentration exposures can cause dizziness, nausea, respiratory issues and in extreme cases, death from respiratory failure.

- Cancer: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified methylene chloride as likely carcinogenic to humans by all routes of exposure. It is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

- Liver & kidney toxicity: Long-term or high-level exposure has been linked to toxic effects on the liver and kidneys in animal studies and some occupational cases. This includes potential liver cancer.

Regulation and Risk Management

Due to methylene chloride's health hazards, particularly its classification as a likely human carcinogen, governments worldwide have taken measures to regulate its uses and curtail exposures. Some key regulatory actions include:

- United States: The EPA prohibited most paint and coating removal uses of the chemical in 2019, citing unacceptable cancer risk to workers and consumers.

- Canada: Under the country's Chemicals Management Plan, methylene chloride use is now restricted in paint and varnish removers, adhesive formulation and degreasing.

-Europe: The European Union's REACH regulation has identified methylene chloride as a substance of very high concern. Its use in paint stripping is being phased out by 2021.

- Workplace exposure limits: Regulatory agencies have set permissible exposure limits (PELs) in many countries to protect workers. These continue to get more stringent over time.

Alternatives and Reduction Efforts

To curb methylene chloride risks, companies have worked on developing and adopting alternative technologies. Some substitutes gaining ground include sodium hydroxide or glycerine-based paint removers, water-based adhesives and dry ice blasting for cleaning. Meanwhile, businesses still using methylene chloride have focused on exposure control through closed-system transfer, local ventilation and use of personal protective equipment like respirators. While a complete phase-out may take time, ongoing reduction efforts aim to better safeguard workers and the public from this hazardous chemical.

methylene chloride has served important functions as an industrial solvent and cleaning agent. However, with scientific evidence establishing its carcinogenicity and other health impacts, regulations worldwide have tightened considerably on its uses to protect human health. Continued progress in developing and adopting effective, safer alternatives and best practices for residual usage forms will help minimize methylene chloride's risks moving forward. Improving safety should remain a top priority as this highly useful but hazardous chemical transitions out of some applications.

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