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' ' t • jF Occupational Health Guideline for Methylene Chloride INTRODUCTION light-headedness,nausea, vomiting,and headache. Con- tinued exposure may cause increased light-headedness, This guideline is intended as a source of information for staggering, unconsciousness, and death. High vapor employees, employers, physicians,industrial hygienists, concentrations may also cause irritation of the eyes and and other occupational health professionals who may respiratory tract. Exposure to this chemical may make have a need for such information. It does not attempt to the symptoms of angina worse. Skin exposure to the present all data;rather,it presents pertinent information liquid may cause irritation. If the liquid is held in and data in summary form. contact with the skin, it may cause skin burns. Splashes SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION of the liquid into the eyes may cause irritation. 2. Long-term Exposure:Prolonged or repeated exposure • Formula:CH202 to methylene chloride may cause irritation of the skin. • Synonyms: Dichloromethane; methylene dichloride 3. Reporting Signs and Symptoms:A physician should be • Appearance and odor: Colorless liquid with an odor contacted if anyone develops any signs or symptoms like chloroform. and suspects that they are caused by exposure to methylene chloride. PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMIT (PEL) • Recommended medical surveillance The following medical procedures should be made The current OSHA standard for methylene chloride is available to each employee who is exposed to methy- 5OWparts of methylene chloride per million parts of air lene chloride at potentially hazardous levels: (ppm) averaged over an eight-hour work shift, with an 1. Initial Medical Examination: j acceptable ceiling level of 1000 ppm and a maximum —A complete history and physical examination:The \ peak concentration of 2000 ppm for 5 minutes in any purpose is to detect pre-existing conditions that might two-hour-period. NIOSH has recommended that the place the employee at increased risk, and to establish'a permissible exposure limit be reduced to 75 ppm aver- baseline for future health monitoring. Examination of aged over a work shift of up to 10 hours per day, 40 the skin, liver, kidneys, cardiovascular system, and hours per week, with a ceiling level of 500 ppm blood should be stressed. Clinical impressions of the averaged over a 15-minute period. NIOSH further autonomic nervous system and pulmonary function recommends that permissible levels of methylene chlo- should be made, with additional tests'conducted where ride be reduced where carbon monoxide is present. The indicated. NIOSH Criteria Document for Methylene Chloride —Skin disease:Methylene chloride can cause-derma- should be consulted for more detailed information. [itis on prolonged exposure. Persons with pre-existing HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION skin disorders may be more susceptible to the effects of this agent. • Routes of exposure —Liver function test: Methylene chloride causes Methylene chloride can affect the body if it is inhaled or liver damage in animals and this justifies consideration if it comes in contact with the eyes or skin. It can also before exposing persons with impaired liver function.A affect the body if it is swallowed. profile of liver function should be obtained by utilizing • Effects of overexposure a medically acceptable array of biochemical tests. 1. Short-term Exposure: Methylene chloride is an anes- Kidney disease! Methylene chloride causes kidney thetic. Inhaling the vapor may cause mental confusion, damage in animals and this justifiesi special considera- These recomr 4 5155 GENERAL INDUSTRY SAFETY ORDERS TITLE 8 assist in achie (p. 432270.12) (Rpl•t•r N.No.4-1-25-84) tion will pliance TABLE AC-2 - U.S. DEPARTM EXCURSION EXPOSURES Ilb Public Healtl PEL lsl Emm�ao Eaw.dun Ceding n National Ins ,$b l•l $utrh PPMM i2f- L&O Dunbao Lhn# - _. _ -#1el6jl'dde,dam —368 '-tSBb --SBR pm inn a V"M. MethPa IN 360 100 ppm 5 min1E hn I.Im rmm September 1978 �-