The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a rule for methylene chloride (MeCl2), aiming to significantly reduce its use and limit human exposure. Methylene chloride, a volatile chemical used in industrial applications such as paint stripping, plastics processing, and solvent production, has long been under scrutiny due to its harmful health effects. This new regulation marks a major shift in how industries will need to handle MeCl2, with significant deadlines for compliance starting in 2025.
Key Changes in the New EPA Rule
- Bans on Manufacturing and Use:
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- By July 2025, the manufacturing, processing, and distribution of methylene chloride will be prohibited, with exceptions limited to specific critical uses.
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- By 2026, most industrial and commercial uses of MeCl2 will also be banned, effectively phasing out its widespread application.
- Stricter Exposure Limits: The EPA’s rule also imposes far more stringent exposure limits than those set by current regulatory standards:
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- 8-Hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA): The new EPA limit is set at 2 parts per million (PPM). This is significantly lower than the limits established by:
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- OSHA: 25 PPM
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- ACGIH: 50 PPM
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- Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL): The EPA has introduced a STEL of 16 PPM, compared to OSHA’s much higher limit of 125 PPM.
These lowered limits are a substantial change that will require industries to rethink their operations, particularly in environments where methylene chloride is used regularly.
Why the Change?
Methylene chloride poses significant health risks, including respiratory problems, damage to the central nervous system, and, in some cases, cancer. Workers who are regularly exposed to MeCl2 are at increased risk, and the EPA has cited these concerns as the primary drivers behind the tighter regulations. The EPA’s new rule aligns with its ongoing efforts to reduce chemical risks under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Navigating Compliance
The EPA has published a compliance guide to help businesses and laboratories adjust to the new rules. You can access this guide here for more detailed information on how to manage methylene chloride use safely and in accordance with the new regulations.
With the publication of the rule in the Federal Register in May 2024, industries have a limited time to adapt to these changes. Full compliance will be required by 2025 for manufacturing and by 2026 for most uses. More information on the rule can be found here.
SGS Supports Your Compliance Journey
At SGS, we understand the complexities involved in complying with new chemical safety regulations. Our experts are equipped to help your business navigate these changes, offering services like workplace air monitoring, chemical safety assessments, and laboratory analysis. We provide support throughout the transition process, ensuring that your operations meet the EPA’s stricter standards for methylene chloride exposure.
Are you ready for the new methylene chloride regulations? Contact SGS today to learn how we can help you ensure compliance with the latest EPA rule.
