Methylene chloride / Dichloromethane, CAS # 75-09-2
Standard Operating Procedure
Methylene chloride / Dichloromethane
This is an SOP template and is not complete until: 1) lab specific information is entered into the box
below 2) lab specific protocol/procedure is added to the protocol/procedure section and
3) SOP has been signed and dated by the PI and relevant lab personnel.
Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
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Type of SOP:
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Process
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Hazardous Chemical
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Hazardous Class
Purpose
Methylene chloride or dichloromethane (DCM) is commonly used as a solvent for thin-layer chromatography in
isolating organic compounds. Dichloromethane is an IARC Group 2B, possible human carcinogen. This SOP
documents the safe use of DCM including the minimization of inhalation of dichloromethane. Use of methylene
chloride in the laboratory would result in “short term exposure,” which is limited to 125 ppm for 15 minutes.
Physical and Chemical Properties / Definition of Chemical Group
CAS:
Class:
Molecular Formula:
Form (physical state):
Color:
Boiling Point:
75-09-2
Carcinogen (IARC Group 2B)
CH2Cl2
Liquid
Colorless
39.8°C - 40°C
Methylene chloride / Dichloromethane, CAS # 75-09-2
Potential Hazards / Toxicity
Potential Health Effects
carcinogen, target organ effect, harmful by ingestion, irritant
Target Organs: Liver, pancreas, blood, central nervous system, heart, kidney
Inhalation:
May be harmful if inhaled. Causes respiratory tract irritation.
Skin:
Harmful if absorbed through skin. Causes skin irritation.
Eyes:
Causes eye irritation.
Ingestion:
Harmful if swallowed.
Exposure Effects
Very hazardous in case of eye contact, inhalation, or ingestion. In case of ingestion,
DCM may cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and vomiting. If vomiting
Acute:
results in aspiration, chemical pneumonia could follow. Absorption through gastrointestinal tract may produce symptoms of central nervous system depression
ranging from light headedness to unconsciousness.
Can cause headache, mental confusion, depression, liver effects, kidney effects,
Chronic:
bronchitis, loss of appetite, nausea, lack of balance, and visual disturbances. Can
cause dermatitis upon prolonged skin contact.
Mutagenic:
Methylene chloride may cause cancer in humans.
Developmental: This substance is toxic to lungs, the nervous system, liver, mucous membrane.
Exposure Limits / Toxicity
LD50 / LC50:
PEL:
REL / TLV:
IDLH:
1600 mg/kg [Rat] / 52,000 mg/m3 [Rat]
25 ppm ST
12.5 ppm (8-hour TWA – Action Level)
n/a
2,300 ppm
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The level of skin and eye protection should be selected based on the potential for splashing and other
forms of exposure.
Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S. This is
a regulatory requirement. (http://www.asu.edu/uagc/EHS/documents/asu_respriatory_protection_plan.pdf)
Hand Protection
When handling this chemical, wear laminate film or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gloves.
Recommended combination of nitrile gloves with outer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Replace gloves
when splash occurs.
Methylene chloride / Dichloromethane, CAS # 75-09-2
NOTE: Consult with your preferred glove manufacturer to ensure that the gloves you plan on
using are compatible with Methylene chloride.
Refer to glove selection chart from the links below:
http://www.ansellpro.com/download/Ansell_8thEditionChemicalResistanceGuide.pdf
OR
http://www.allsafetyproducts.biz/page/74172
OR
http://www.showabestglove.com/site/default.aspx
OR
http://www.mapaglove.com/
Eye Protection
 Wear chemical splash goggles or a face shield to protect from splash hazards and chemical
vapors.
Skin & Body Protection
 Flame-resistant lab coat – avoid the use of traditional cotton-polyester white lab coat, which
may readily collect or absorb compounds.
 Full-length pants
 Closed-toed impervious footwear
Hygiene Measures
Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after
handling the product.
Engineering Controls
All operations involving Methylene chloride and dilutions should be carried out in a certified chemical
fume hood or a ducted Biosafety cabinet to keep airborne level below recommended exposure limits.
Chemical fume hoods designated as containment areas for particularly hazardous substances, like
Methylene chloride, must have an average face velocity between 80 – 100 cfm. The fume hood must
be certified annually – verify current certification and working condition prior to use.
First Aid Procedures
If inhaled… Remove rapidly to clean air. Administer rescue breathing if necessary and call
emergency services. Seek medical attention if needed.
Methylene chloride / Dichloromethane, CAS # 75-09-2
In case of skin contact… Minor skin contact requires washing with soap and water. Soaking
or flushing contaminated areas of the skin with water for periods up to 15 minutes is required if
a large area comes into contact with the chemical, or if prolonged contact occurs. Contaminated
clothing may hold the chemicals in contact with the skin without being immediately noticed.
In case of eye contact… The eye should be immediately flushed with water using the nearest
emergency eyewash facility for 15 minutes. If the chemical is very irritating, it is likely that the
affected individual will require assistance to hold the eye open during the flushing. Additional
medical attention may be required.
If swallowed… DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give milk or water if conscious. Never give
anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Consult a physician.
Special Storage & Handling Requirements
Storage
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Keep in tightly closed container.
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
Protect against physical damage.
Isolate from any source of heat or ignition.
Store in a secondary containment, isolate from other chemical compounds with proper
labeling. Label secondary containment / cabinet with “REGULATED CARCINOGEN”.
DCM can be stored in the same cabinet as other regulated carcinogens.
Segregate this chemical from incompatible materials as described in the ASU Chemical
Hygiene Plan (CHP) and/or the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Handling (Designated Areas)
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Designated area(s) for use and storage of Methylene chloride must be established. Contact
ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) for assistance, (480) 965-1823.
Work inside an active, annually certified fume hood posted as a “Designated Use Area for
Methylene Chloride” and “Danger, Cancer Hazard”.
Ensure you are wearing the following minimum PPE: safety goggles or face shield, lab coat &
gloves, full length pants, closed-toed impervious shoes.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Spill and Accident Procedure
Spill
Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using an available spill kit or
absorbent material. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g use tape, barrier, etc.)
Methylene chloride / Dichloromethane, CAS # 75-09-2
Small Spill ( < 1 Liter )
Use appropriate personal protective equipment and clean-up material for chemical spilled.
Double-bag spill waste in clear plastic bags, attach Hazardous Waste tag and arrange pickup.
Large Spill ( > 1 Liter )
Follow posted ASU Emergency Response Guide for Hazardous Materials Incidents. Dial 9-1-1
and contact ASU EH&S at (480) 965-1823 for assistance.
Chemical spill on body or clothes
Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek
medical attention. Notify supervisor and ASU EH&S at (480) 965-1823.
Chemical splash into eyes
Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water from the emergency eyewash
station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention. Notify
supervisor and ASU EH&S at (480) 965-1823.
Medical Emergency
Life threatening emergency, after hours, weekends and holidays
Dial 9-1-1. Note: all injuries and incidents must be reported to ASU EH&S, (480) 965-1823.
Non-life threatening emergency
Report to your ASU campus Health Services Center (451 E. University Drive, south side of
University Drive, west of Palm Walk, Hours: M-F, 8am – 6pm, Sat., 10am – 2pm). Outside of
these hours, report to Tempe St. Luke’s ER, 1500 S. Mill Avenue. Note: all injuries and incidents
must be reported to ASU EH&S, (480) 965-1823.
Needle-stick / puncture exposure
Wash the affected area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous
membrane exposure, flush the affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Report to
your ASU campus Health Services Center (451 E. University Drive, south side of University Drive,
west of Palm Walk, Hours: M-F, 8am – 6pm, Sat., 10am – 2pm). Outside of these hours, report
to Tempe St. Luke’s ER, 1500 S. Mill Avenue. Note: all injuries and incidents must be reported
to ASU EH&S, (480) 965-1823.
Decontamination / Waste Disposal Procedure
No waste streams containing Methylene chloride shall be disposed of in sinks. Decontaminate
work space with 70-75% ethanol. Wash hands and arms with soap and water after finished.
Contaminated pipette tips, tubes and gloves should be collected as hazardous waste.
Methylene chloride / Dichloromethane, CAS # 75-09-2
Label waste
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Attach a completed ASU Hazardous Waste tag to all waste containers as soon as the first
drop of waste is added to the container. Containers of Methylene chloride waste must be
labeled with the following: “DANGER, CANCER HAZARD”.
Store waste
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Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a designated
storage location.
Double-bag dry waste using sealable transparent bags.
Waste must be under the control of the person generating and disposing of it.
Dispose of waste
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Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 90 days.
Use EHS Assistant online hazardous waste pick-up request system.
Contact ASU EH&S at (480) 965-1823 with questions.
Protocol / Procedure
Laboratory-specific procedures
Add your lab’s specific procedures in this section.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any deviation from this SOP requires advance PI approval.
Documentation of Training
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Prior to conducting any work with Hydrofluoric acid (HF), Principal Investigator or designee
must provide to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with
this substance, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.
The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP
and a copy of the MSDS provided by the manufacturer.
The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended
appropriate/required laboratory safety training or refresher training within the last one year.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP.
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