2004
Citations
0
Influential Citations
2
Citations
Journal
Report on carcinogens : carcinogen profiles
Abstract
Carcinogenicity Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals (NTP 1986). When administered by inhalation, the compound is carcinogenic in mice and female rats. It caused increased incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar neoplasms and hepatocellular neoplasms in mice of both sexes. Dichloromethane inhalation also increased the incidences of fibroadenoma of the mammary gland in female rats. There is some evidence of the carcinogenicity of dichloromethane in male rats, as shown by an increased incidence of fibroadenoma of the mammary gland (NTP 1986, IARC 1987). No adequate human studies of the relationship between exposure to dichloromethane and human cancer were found Properties Dichloromethane is a clear, colorless, nonflammable, volatile liquid with a sweet, pleasant, chloroform-like odor. It is slightly soluble in water, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, ketones, and organic liquids. Dichloromethane is miscible with chlorinated solvents, diethyl ether, and ethanol. It will form an explosive mixture in an atmosphere with a high oxygen content, or in the presence of liquid oxygen, nitrite, potassium, or sodium. When heated to decomposition, it emits highly toxic fumes of phosgene Use Dichloromethane is used principally as a solvent in paint removers (23% of the dichloromethane produced); WHO (1996) and IARC (1999) noted that the primary use of dichloromethane is based on its solvent properties. It is also used as an aerosol propellant (20%); processing solvent in the manufacture of steroids, antibiotics, vitamins, and tablet coatings (20%); as a degreasing agent (8%); in electronics manufacturing (7%); and as a polyurethane foam blowing agent (5%) (CMR 1986). Dichloromethane is also used in metal cleaning, as a solvent in the production of polycarbonate resins and triacetate fibers, in film processing, in ink formulations, and as an extraction solvent for spice oleoresins, caffeine, and hops (NTP 1986, SRI Int. 1984). Dichloromethane was once registered for use in the United States as an insecticide for commodity fumigation of strawberries, citrus fruits, and a variety of grains (EPA 1969). It is no longer included in any registered pesticide products (HSDB 2000). The amount of dichloromethane present in these products varies both within and among product categories. Not all brands in a particular product category contain dichloromethane. In those products containing dichloromethane, concentrations vary from a low of 0.1% in several categories to a high of 100% in a paint stripper. Production Moderate growth in the dichloromethane industry averaged approximately 3% annually from …