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Gold/Mining/Energy : Napier International Technologies Inc. (T.NIR) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: W.F.Rakecky who wrote (192)	5/30/1998 7:19:00 PM
From: Ginco	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2444

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