The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed chemical control standards to ensure that certain chemicals are handled safely. Examples of OSHA-regulated and/or higher hazard chemicals include Formaldehyde, Ethylene Oxide, Methylene Chloride, Cyanides, and Hydrofluoric Acid.
Highly hazardous or regulated compounds require pre-approval by EHS before purchase. These compounds are flagged and each order is individually reviewed by EHS to ensure that there is a safe and appropriate lab infrastructure to accommodate work with this compound and that all users have adequate safety training and appropriate personal protective equipment.
Information available for specific chemicals is listed below.
In April 2024, EPA finalized prohibitions and workplace protections under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for methylene chloride to protect human health. The EPA Final Risk Evaluation of Methylene Chloride identified the need to require more stringent workplace safety protections.
Methylene chloride use must be evaluated on a case by case basis and should only be used if it is not possible to eliminate or substitute methylene chloride and your use is allowed per EPA guidelines. Labs that are permitted to use methylene chloride must implement a written Methylene Chloride Exposure Control Plan to meet the EPA's exposure control plan requirements. Exposure monitoring must be coordinated with EHS where required.
EHS will evaluate each lab that uses methylene chloride and will work with each lab to eliminate methylene chloride or substitute it for a less hazardous chemical. EHS has implemented the Methylene Chloride Workplace Chemical Protection Program (Methylene Chloride WCPP) to provide information on how to keep exposure to methylene chloride to a minimum.
Replacements for Methylene Chloride
Laboratories
Institute laboratories can use the following resources to find replacements for products containing methylene chloride.
- The American Chemical Society (ACS) Green Chemistry Institute has developed a Solvent Tool, and the Organic Photonics & Electronics Group at Umeå University has similarly developed a Green Solvent Selection Tool, which can be used to help select solvents based on a variety of physical and chemical properties.
- The Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community has published a resource library page with a variety of other tools for elimination/substitution.
Please note: Other chemicals will be undergoing EPA rulemaking and may face similar restrictions as methylene chloride in the future including N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP), 1-Bromopropane (1-BP), 1,1,2-Trichloroethane (TCE), Perchloroethylene (PCE).
Institute shops and non-laboratory locations that have products containing methylene chloride can reach out to ehs@rpi.edu for assistance in finding replacement products.
Resources
US EPA - Risk Management for Methylene Chloride
OSHA – Substance Safety Data Sheet and Technical Guidelines for Methylene Chloride
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs for Methylene Chloride
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards – Methylene Chloride
