Methylene Chloride (DCM)

Final EPA Rule for Methylene Chloride (DCM)

In April 2024, EPA finalized prohibitions and workplace protections under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for methylene chloride to protect human health.

EPA’s final rule:

• Prohibits manufacturing, processing and distribution of methylene chloride for all consumer uses.
• Prohibits most industrial and commercial uses of methylene chloride, including paint and coating removers. Consumer paint and coating removal was prohibited in 2019.
• Creates strict workplace protections through a Workplace Chemical Protection Program to ensure that for the remaining uses, workers will not be harmed by methylene chloride use.
• Requires manufacturers (including importers), processors, and distributors to notify companies to whom methylene chloride is shipped of the prohibitions and to maintain records.

What is the EPA WCPP?

The workplace chemical protection program (WCPP) is intended to protect potentially exposed persons in the workplace and who are engaged in conditions of use that are not prohibited by the 2024 EPA ruling. Owners and operators have flexibility in selecting what controls are best for their facility when determining how to comply with the WCPP. Use of DCM that meets the criteria mentioned above, regardless of scale or volume, is regulated by the WCPP.

In accordance with EPA TSCA Final Rule of May 8, 2024, entities like TWU are required to develop a WCPP no later than October 2025. In addition, those entities would be required to periodically monitor their workplace to ensure that workers are not exposed to levels of methylene chloride that would lead to an unreasonable risk.

What Steps is EH&S Taking?

The TWU Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) has initiated plans to prepare the university towards compliance and will be working directly with affected research laboratories and operational units dependent on the timeline below.

The timeline for compliance is below:

• May 5, 2025: Complete initial exposure monitoring.
• August 1, 2025: Implement controls. Or 3 months after initial monitoring.
• October 30, 2025: Develop and implement Exposure Control Plan.

Additional mandated timeframes will depend on initial monitoring results.

Alternative to Methylene Chloride? 

If you are currently working with DCM in your lab, consider switching to Ethyl Acetate, Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), Heptane or others depending upon specific needs.

Additional information on the rule and EPA actions to manage risks from Methylene Chloride is available on the EPA website at https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-management-methylene-chloride.

Additional Resources:

Final Risk Management Rule for Methylene Chloride

FACT SHEET: Regulation of Methylene Chloride under TSCA (pdf)

COMPLIANCE GUIDE: Regulation of Methylene Chloride under TSCA (pdf)

More information will be provided in time, but please reach out with any questions or concerns to risk@twu.edu or (940) 898-4001.