From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> On Behalf Of Monona Rossol
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 2:51 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] FW: The use of DCM (Methylene Chloride) concern and regulation changes...

Well, I might as well tell you a weird story (mine are all weird) about one of the substitutes for DCM in paint strippers. 

I was consulting on a movie about a busload of children trying to escape a forest fire.  This meant we would be juxtaposing children, adult actors, propane fire bars, and two types of "smoke," one made from two glycols and water, and the other called "Bio Fog."  I'd never run into this Bio Fog before.  It was listed as one of the approved products on the professional pyrotechnics' website and touted as "soybean oil."  The SDSs downloaded from both the pyro website and from the small manufacturer of Bio Fog were from a major chemical supplier.  And it was not soybean oil, but methyl soyate.  

Methyl soyate is a bio diesel fuel and has been used in paint strippers for years.  It's now being used as a substitute for DCM.

So here's just three of the issues:

1.  Manufacturers must supply SDS with their own names and contact information (not from the primary manufacturer)

2.  Bio diesel fuel in a mist form near flaming fire bars is a potential hazard

3.  It is not reasonable, in my book, to expose children to methyl soyate in a mist form

I resolved the issue by contacting the primary manufacturer, showing them that the industry was using their SDS and repackaging their product for this use.   They sent a cease and desist order to the small manufacturer and sent me an email saying they do not approve of, or think this is a proper use of, this chemical product.  Game over.

Monona