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...

 

See 751.109 Workplace Chemical Protection Program in Final Risk Management Rule for Methylene Chloride compared to the current rules.

 

8hr TWA's go from 25 ppm to 2 ppm; STEL's go from 125 ppm to 16 ppm.  There are also mandatory requirements for designated area use, monitoring and record keeping.

 

Jeff

 

On Wed, May 29, 2024 at 11:29 AM Samuella Sigmann <000017d7b6a35b3a-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**lists.princeton.edu> wrote:

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:

 

 

From: Aniello Tambasco <aniello.tambasco**At_Symbol_Here**wilkes.edu>
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2024 9:48 AM
To: membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Subject: The use of DCM (Methylene Chloride) concern and regulation changes...

 

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

Laboratory Operations

205 Lakeshore Center 

Michigan Technological University

 

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