Toxic substances list: dichloromethane

Dichloromethane (also known as methylene chloride, or DCM) is a colourless, volatile organic liquid that does not occur naturally. It is soluble in most organic solvents and has a high evaporation rate. These properties make dichloromethane a versatile substance, and it is used in a wide variety of applications including as a solvent in paint and furniture stripping products, a blowing agent in foam production, as a component in aerosol products, and in other industrial process applications. 

CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) Registry Number: 75-09-2

Risk assessment

• Priority Substances List Assessment Report
• Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances. It is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:
  a) have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity.
  c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Sources

This substance is entering the environment from the following sources:

• Industrial, Commercial and Consumer Products

Strategic options report

Click on the following link to view strategies and actions recommended to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Strategic Options for the Management of Toxic Substances: Dichloromethane

Risk management tools

Tools developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Addition to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist for aerosol cosmetics (1995)
• Code of Practice for the Reduction of Dichloromethane Emissions from Use of Paint Strippers in Commercial Furniture Refinishing and Other Stripping Applications
• Pollution Prevention Planning Notices and Results - Dichloromethane  (Notice Completed)

Performance Measurement

Performance measurement evaluations provide Canadians with information on the effectiveness of risk management actions in place for substances found to be toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

• Performance measurement evaluation for risk management of dichloromethane (October 2022)

Consultation

Consultation (past and present) on the substance:

• Proposed Notice Requiring the Preparation and Implementation of Pollution Prevention Plans In Respect of Dichloromethane, 2002-08-31 
• Draft Code of Practice for the Safe Handling, Use and Storage of Dichloromethane-based Paint Strippers in Commercial Furniture Refinishing and Other Stripping Applications, 2002-07-03 (archived consultation document)

Other information

• Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001 
• Environmental Code of Practice for integrated steel mills
• Environmental Code of Practice for Non-Integrated Steel Mills
• Environmental Emergency Regulations, 2019
• National Air Pollution Surveillance Program
• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) - Information Centre
• Use paint strippers safely

Contact

Substances Management Information Line
Chemicals Management Plan
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3

Telephone: 1-800-567-1999 (in Canada) or 819-938-3232
Fax: 819-938-3231
Email: substances@ec.gc.ca

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