• Briefly, what do I need to know about methylene chloride in an emergency situation?
• Where do you find methylene chloride?
• What should I know about the composition and purity of methylene chloride?
• What are some synonyms for methylene chloride?
• With so many names for methylene chloride, is there a unique identifier for this chemical?

Briefly, what do I need to know about methylene chloride in an emergency situation?

Methylene chloride is a colourless liquid with a penetrating ether-like odour. It is essentially non-flammable under most conditions of use, but it can probably burn if strongly heated. It can decompose at high temperatures forming toxic gases, such as hydrogen chloride and phosgene. It is TOXIC. It is also a mild central nervous system depressant. Methylene chloride may cause headache, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, incoordination and confusion, unconsciousness and death. It also causes skin and eye irritation. Methylene chloride is a POSSIBLE CANCER HAZARD - may cause cancer, based on animal information.

Where do you find methylene chloride?

Solvent; degreasing agent; paint remover ingredient; aerosol products ingredient; blowing agent in foams; refrigerant.

What should I know about the composition and purity of methylene chloride?

Commercially available in high purity (99-99.99%). May contain small amount of stabilizers such as cyclohexane, propylene oxide, alcohols, phenols and amines. Commercial dichloromethane may contain impurities such as methyl chloride, chloroform,1,1- dichloroethane and trans-1,2-dichloroethane.

What are some synonyms for methylene chloride?

Methylene chloride is also known as dichloromethane, methylene dichloride and chlorure de m»thylÀne.

With so many names for methylene chloride, is there a unique identifier for this chemical?

Its CAS Registry Number is 75-09-2. This number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) in the United States and is used as a unique identifier number world-wide.

Want more information?

Document last updated on February 19, 1999

Copyright ©1997-2013 Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety