From:
Kolodziej, Christopher <ckolodziej**At_Symbol_Here**EHS.UCLA.EDU>
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] [External] [DCHAS-L] FW: The use of DCM (Methylene Chloride) concern and regulation changes...
Date:
May 29, 2024 21:55 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID:
<SJ0PR04MB777340137C8B2D1B13F6F75EF7F22**At_Symbol_Here**SJ0PR04MB7773.namprd04.prod.outlook.com>
In-Reply-To:
<CAEwQnqhpdg=iSNSo-Hg8Y_-hMR+MRfThQXLrh=CNbU_TKGMykA**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com>
Jeff,
The more relevant current rules to compare, for most of our operations, are in the
Lab Standard
rather than the Methylene Chloride Standard. The changes to the exposure limits are as you said. It’s also important for folks to understand that the monitoring and record keeping requirements you pointed out are almost all new for laboratories. This may be
a de facto ban for small institutions that can’t afford to hire a full time IH, and were previously relying on fume hoods and basic laboratory hygiene to control exposure.
Chris
________________________________
Christopher M. Kolodziej, Ph.D.
Chemical Hygiene Officer
UCLA Environment, Health
& Safety
| Chemical Safety
Phone: (310) 794-5013
Book a virtual appointment
My working hours may not be your working hours. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule.
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
On Behalf Of Jeffrey Lewin
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 10:18 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [External] [DCHAS-L] FW: The use of DCM (Methylene Chloride) concern and regulation changes...
Technically, the EPA is not banning laboratory use of DCM. They were clear on this when we met with them during the comment period. However, users must develop work plans that meet the EPA use guidelines for
monitoring and exposure limits.
Sammye
On 5/28/2024 12:58 PM, Membership Chair wrote:
Good Afternoon All-
Hope all is well. So, our Procurement director (Now an expert in chemistry) is concerned on the use of DCM because a panel discussion came across an Insurance discussion email.
Please see below. I would appreciate any information and what other Institutions are doing. We are following the SDS and other proper protocols (NIOSH exposure limits and skin protection). Also, it is mainly used in our Organic chemistry labs.
Kind Regards,
Aniello Tambasco
Lab Manager
Wilkes University
84 W. South St.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
570-408-3218
Hello Everyone,
I have a member input request for the group on
Methylene Chloride (dichloromethane)-
“The EPA will be banning methylene
chloride (dichloromethane) and I was wondering if any of the labs currently using it will plan on either requesting use of alternatives (ethyl acetate, MTBE, toluene, 2-MeTHF) or will start to perform
testing to ensure there is no over exposures?”
Additional reference - Risk Management
for Methylene Chloride | US EPA
Thank you,
Hannah Reed
Risk Consultant
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--
Jeff Lewin
Director of Chemical Laboratory Operations
Research Integrity Office
Michigan Technological University
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