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i r <br /> STATE OF CALIFORNIA July 1985 <br /> DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES <br /> DEPARTMENTOF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS CAL/OSHA <br /> HAZARD ALERT #4 0 <br /> 2151 Berkeley Way HAZARD EVALUATION SYSTEM AND INFORMATION SERVICE <br /> Berkeley, Caftmla 94704 <br /> Call Collect (415) 540-3014 <br /> Methylene Chloride <br /> (Chemical Name: dichloromethane) <br /> Methylene chloride is a widely used organic solvent. In recent tests, it <br /> caused cancer in laboratory animals. Whether it can cause cancer in humans <br /> has not been adequately studied. However, based on the animal tests, you <br /> should consider methylene chloride to be a potential cancer-causing substance. <br /> This Hazard Alert has been issued to inform you about this and other health <br /> effects of methylene chloride, and to provide you with guidelines on how to <br /> work safely with it. The Alert is written to assist in worker training. it <br /> is not intended to take the place of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or <br /> other sources which contain information on first aid, emergency procedures, <br /> and other subjects not covered here. <br /> As with most organic solvents, overexposure to methylene chloride can also <br /> affect the human nervous system. If methylene chloride is allowed to remain <br /> on the skin, it can cause skin irritation and even burns. Breathing the vapors <br /> of this solvent also increases the amount of carbon monoxide in your blood, <br /> reducing the oxygen supply to vital organs. <br /> MANY PRODUCTS CONTAIN METHYLENE CHLORIDE <br /> Methylene chloride looks like water and has a mild sweet odor like ether. It <br /> is widely used because it evaporates very quickly. Because of this quality, <br /> it can quickly reach a hazardous concentration in the air. Some of the <br /> chemical and trade names for methylene chloride are: <br /> Chemical Names Trade Names <br /> dichloromethane methane dichloride Aerothene NM Freon 30 F-30 <br /> CH2C12 methylene dichloride Solaestine Somethine <br /> Common Products and Uses r �� II11 <br /> paint and varnish thinners and removers SEP 6 1985 <br /> certain paints and adhesives <br /> printing press cleaners and inks ENVIROMeNTAL HEALTH <br /> metal and plastic cleaners and degreasers VIR MENT LHEA <br /> cleaners in many industries and work settings <br /> aerosols, including pesticides (as a propellant or carrier solvent) <br /> "strippers" in printed circuit board and electronics manufacturing <br /> refrigeration and air conditioning equipment <br /> coffee decaffeination and spice extraction processes <br />` as an intermediate in chemical manufacturing <br />