Gino At the end of this post are the numbers of the MSU ptofessors that you posted in May...From one fool to another fool.
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Talk : Canadian : Napier International Technologies Inc.
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To: W.F.Rakecky (192 )
From: Gino Constantini Saturday, May 30 1998 7:19PM ET
Reply # of 1564
I Think the others on this board are better informed Rich or our ace
David in Ontario,try rereading April 15 release
they mention METHYLENE CHLORIDE and it being phased out Sept98
and what I've include on METHYLENE CHLORIDE
give me your comments
GC
biz.yahoo.com
METHYLENE CHLORIDE
SUMMARY: People are exposed to methylene chloride in contaminated air,
water, and food, or in the use of consumer products such as paint
strippers. Exposure occurs when the vapors given off by these products
are inhaled by humans. Breathing methylene chloride at high levels for
short periods of time can cause mild deafness and slightly impaired
vision. At very high concentrations, it can lead to unconsciousness and
death.
What is methylene chloride?
Methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane, is a colorless liquid
that has a mild sweet odor. It evaporates easily, but does not burn
easily. It does not appear to occur naturally in the environment. It is
made from methane gas or wood alcohol.
It is widely used as an industrial solvent and as a paint stripper as
well as in the manufacture of photographic film. The chemical may be
found in a variety of household products including spray paints,
automotive cleaners and some pesticide formulations.
Exposure to methylene chloride:
Most of the methylene chloride released to the environment results from
its use as an end product by various industries and the use of aerosol
products and paint removers in the home. People are exposed to it in
air, water, food, or from consumer products.
Because methylene chloride evaporates easily, the greatest potential for
exposure occurs when people breathe air contaminated as a result of the
use of consumer products, such as paint strippers, that contain
methylene chloride. Exposure can also result from direct contact of the
liquid material with the skin.
The highest and most frequent exposures to methylene chloride usually
occur in workplaces where the chemical is made or used.
Health effects:
Breathing methylene chloride at high levels (300 ppm) for short periods
of time (3 to 4 hours), can lead to mild deafness and slightly impaired
vision. At very high concentrations (800 ppm) it may cause slow
reaction, shaky limbs, nausea, dizziness, and tingling or numbness of
the fingers and toes. In most cases, effects disappear shortly after
exposure ends. Studies in animals suggest that exposure to extremely
high concentrations (8,000-20,000 ppm) can lead to unconsciousness and
death.
In humans, direct skin contact with methylene chloride causes intense
burning and mild redness of the skin.
The Department of Health and Human Services, DHHS, has determined that
methylene chloride may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen. The
International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC, has classified
methylene chloride in Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans. The EPA
has determined that methylene chloride is a probable human carcinogen.
Regulations to protect human health:
EPA has set a drinking water standard of 5 parts of methylene chloride
per 1 billion parts of water (ppb).
The Food and Drug Administration, FDA, has established limits on the
amounts of methylene chloride that can remain in the spice, hops
extract, and decaffeinated coffee.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recently
lowered the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for persons who work with
methylene chloride to 25 ppm in air averaged over an 8-hour workday and
the short term exposure limit to 125 ppm in air averaged over a 15
minute period.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH, currently
recommends a permissible limit of 75 ppm of methylene chloride averaged
over a 10-hour workday in the presence of carbon monoxide concentrations
less than or equal to 9.9 ppm. Because methylene chloride increases
tumors in some animals, NIOSH currently considers it a possible
cancer-causing substance in the workplace and recommends that exposure
be lowered to the lowest reasonable limit.
For more information about methylene chloride in the environment,
contact:
Thomas Voice
Civil and Environmental Engineering
A125 Engineering Research Complex, MSU
Phone: 517-355-8240
Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE
Mailstop E-29
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 404-639-6000
For more information about the toxicity of methylene, contact:
Mike Kamrin
Institute for Environmental Toxicology
C231 Holden Hall, MSU
Phone: 517-353-6469
Link to EPA chemical summary:
atsdr1.atsdr.cdc.gov:8080/tfacts19.html>> |
