From:
Kolodziej, Christopher <ckolodziej**At_Symbol_Here**EHS.UCLA.EDU>
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] DCM in small academic research labs
Date:
Jun 24, 2024 22:36 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID:
<DM8PR04MB77665F27A0519EE203102D0BF7D42**At_Symbol_Here**DM8PR04MB7766.namprd04.prod.outlook.com>
In-Reply-To:
<CAEiU9vDK80EVorROwBFf2dmR9uSnEBRWVQp4isQy7Ok+cz0Z4w**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com>
Jonathan,
The second page of this document from the EPA does a good job of explaining what has to be done by when to continue using DCM:
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-06/mecl-fact-sheet_final_6-03-24.pdf
There’s quite a bit that will be mostly theoretical for laboratories (e.g. demarcating regulated areas and supplying respirators), but it’s a concise overview.
I haven’t seen much guidance yet from EPA regarding how to do any of this, though an IH should be able to recommend specific instruments/methods/etc. Nor have I seen any published exposure results beyond what EPA used in its unreasonable risk determination,
and I have no clue how relevant those numbers are for any specific combination of laboratory and procedure in 2024.
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 Jonathan Dannatt
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2024 2:01 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] DCM in small academic research labs
Hey all,
I'm sure there have been conversations about the EPA ruling here, but I was hoping for a bit of a summary and some advice.
Is it clear what we will need to do to continue using DCM as a solvent? We already try to avoid it, but it works really well for some of our reactions.
Also, are there DCM detectors we can use in the lab to see if the levels get too high? I've found MOS sensors. They seem to detect gases by measuring changes in the electrical resistance of a metal oxide film when exposed to air. Would
something like this work? It would technically measure any gas not just DCM. I worry in a standard organic lab it would measure acetone and give false positives.
Is anyone aware of any literature that discusses the concentration of DCM outside of a hood when someone does say an extraction, or any other standard organic technique?
Any advice/thoughts would be appreciated.
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