The US EPA determined that methylene chloride (dichloromethane) poses an “unreasonable risk to human health or the environment” and has banned most uses of methylene chloride after May 2025. Continued use of methylene chloride at the University will require approval from EHSS and the Vice President of Research, and documented confirmation that all US EPA requirements for continued use have been met.
Principal Investigators that would like to pursue approval to use methylene chloride, must complete the following steps:
- Evaluate all potential alternatives for methylene chloride to determine if a viable, alternative solvent is available for your laboratory operation(s).
- If no viable alternative to methylene chloride is available for your operations and the need for DCM is scientifically justified, complete a Justification of Need for Continued Methylene Chloride Use.
EHSS and the Vice President of Research will review submitted Justification of Need forms for preliminary approval. If granted, EHSS will contact you to assess and conduct air sampling for all tasks involving methylene chloride.
All researchers unable to eliminate methylene chloride from their processes must adhere to a Methylene Chloride Workplace Chemical Protection Program to limit lab personnel exposure.
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