How toxic is dichloromethane?
Although dichloromethane is the least toxic C1 chlorohydrocarbon, it does present hazards. Inhaling it can produce symptoms ranging from drowsiness to respiratory tract irritation and even death. It also may be carcinogenic, but not enough studies have been done to establish the degree of exposure that causes cancer.
What does dichloromethane do to skin?
Skin contact with dichloromethane can cause a burning sensation, numbness, coldness, pain and burns. Eye contact with dichloromethane vapour can cause irritation and contact with the liquid may cause burns to the eye. Dichloromethane can also be absorbed into the body via inhalation, ingestion or skin contact.
Is dichloromethane toxic to skin?
Prolonged or repeated skin contact can result in Dichloromethane dissolving some of the fatty tissues in skin, resulting in dermatitis. Long term exposure at high levels may also damage the liver and brain. Dichloromethane is a neurotoxin and is suspected of causing cancer.
What happens if you touch dichloromethane?
Higher levels of dichloromethane inhalation can lead to headache, mental confusion, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and fatigue. Skin Exposure – Redness and irritation may occur if skin comes in contact with liquid dichloromethane and, if it remains on the skin for an extended period of time, it may lead to skin burns.
Is dichloromethane used for cleaning?
This is why dichloromethane is widely used as an industrial solvent in order to ensure equipment is stripped of contaminants. Dichloromethane has excellent dissolving properties which make it well suited to this. For a cleaner, more thorough result, DCM can be used in vapour degreasing.
What happens if you smell dichloromethane?
Inhalation – can cause coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of breath. Higher levels of dichloromethane inhalation can lead to headache, mental confusion, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and fatigue.
How is DCM made?
DCM is produced by treating either chloromethane or methane with chlorine gas at 400–500 °C. At these temperatures, both methane and chloromethane undergo a series of reactions producing progressively more chlorinated products. In this way, an estimated 400,000 tons were produced in the US, Europe, and Japan in 1993.
Is DCM safe?
Even though DCM is the least toxic of the simple chlorohydrocarbons, it has serious health risks. Its high volatility makes it an acute inhalation hazard. It can also be absorbed through the skin.
How do you wash off dichloromethane?
Douse a soft cloth with dry-cleaning fluid. Press the damp cloth against the affected area repeatedly. Work your way from the outside of the spill towards the center, blotting up the stain as you go. Rinse with clear water and pat with a towel to dry.
How do you neutralize dichloromethane?
DCM can neutralized with an alkaline solution or by slowly dropping it in Fenton’s reagent. Do this outside, as some DCM will evaporate.
Is dichloromethane environmentally friendly?
The Evaluation Selection Analysis for DCM indicated that it is potentially of concern to the environment based on the high introduction volume and emissive use patterns of the chemical, and its potential to deplete ozone in the stratosphere.