Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane)

CAS Number

75-09-2

Synonym

Dichloromethane; DCM; Methylenum chloratum; NCI-C50102

Occurrence/Use

Solvent; paint stripper, degreaser; extraction agent for flavorings and to decaffeinate coffee and tea; aerosol propellant and blowing agent for polyurethane foams; manufacture of pharmaceuticals, film coatings, and electronics

Cancer Potency Information

Latest Criteria:	California Public Health Goals
Inhalation Unit Risk (μg/cubic meter)-1:	1.0 E-6
Inhalation Slope Factor (mg/kg-day)-1:	3.5 E-3
Oral Slope Factor (mg/kg-day)-1:	1.4 E-2
Comments/References:	OEHHA 2009. Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Technical Support Document for Cancer Potencies. Appendix B. Chemical-specific summaries of the information used to derive unit risk and cancer potency values. Updated 2011. Listed as Methylene Chloride. CDHS 1990. Risk Specific Intake Level for Methylene Chloride. US EPA 1985. Updated Carcinogenicity Assessment of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride).

Air

Acute RELs

Acute REL (μg/m3):	14000
Species:	Human
Acute REL Toxicologic Endpoint:	Impairment of nervous system, increased blood carboxyhemoglobin
Acute REL Target Organs:	Cardiovascular system, nervous system
Severity:	Mild
Last Acute REL Revision:	1999
Acute Reference Exposure Levels Comments:	OEHHA 2008. Technical Supporting Document for Noncancer RELs, Appendix D2.

Chronic REL

Chronic Inhalation REL (μg/m3):	400
Chronic Target Organs:	Cardiovascular system, nervous system
Human Data:	Yes
Last Chronic REL Revision:	2000
Chronic Reference Exposure Levels Comments:	OEHHA 2008. Technical Supporting Document for Noncancer RELs, Appendix D3

Proposition 65

Chemical Status

Cancer:	Currently listed

Cancer

Listed as causing:	Cancer
Date of Listing:	04/01/1988
Basis for Listing:	State's Qualified Experts

Safe Harbor Levels

Cancer
No Significant Risk Level (NSRL):	50 µg/day
No Significant Risk Level (NSRL) - Inhalation:	200 µg/day

Public notices related to this chemical:

Availability of Final Data Summaries and Priorities for Chemicals with Respect to Their Potential to Cause Birth Defects or Other Reproductive Harm
Meeting of the Science Advisory Board's Developmental And Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee

Water

California Public Health Goals Data

Health Risk Category:	Carcinogenicity
Public Health Goal (mg/L):	0.004
Public Health Goal - Download:	dcm.pdf
Cancer Risk at PHG:	0.000001
MCL value (mg/L):	0.005
Cancer Risk at MCL:	0.000001
Last PHG Revision :	09/08/2000
California PHG Comments:	OEHHA 2013. Health Risk Information for Public Health Goal Exceedance Reports