Dichloromethane

Overview

EPA is conducting a peer review and public comment of the scientific basis supporting the human health hazard and dose-response assessment of Dichloromethane that when finalized will appear on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database.

Background

The draft Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane provides scientific support and rationale for the hazard and dose-response assessment pertaining to chronic exposure to dichloromethane. Dichloromethane, also known as methylene chloride, is a colorless liquid. It is, or has been, used principally in paint strippers and removers, as a propellant in aerosols, in the manufacture of drugs, pharmaceuticals, film coatings, electronics, and polyurethane foam, as a metal cleaning solvent, and in the decaffeination process of coffee and tea.

History/Chronology

Date	Description
1987	The oral RfD for dichloromethane was posted to the IRIS database.
1990	The cancer assessment for dichloromethane was posted to the IRIS database.
Dec 2009	EPA initiated an interagency science consultation on the review of the draft Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane.
Mar 2010	EPA released an external review draft of the dichloromethane assessment for public review and comment. Also released was the interagency review draft with comments. A public listening session to discuss the report will be held on May 11, 2010, and the external peer review meeting will be held September 23, 2010.
Nov 2010	EPA releases the comments from the public comment period and external review workshop.

Status

Following external peer review and public comment, the final assessment will be posted to the IRIS database.

Additional Information

Comments on the assessment may be submitted and reviewed using the e-Government Regulations.gov Web site. From the site, select Environmental Protection Agency and the key word EPA-HQ-ORD-2010-0224 (for the docket ID).

This download(s) is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. It has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency determination or policy.

• Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane (External Review Draft) (PDF)  (517  pp, 4.2 MB, about PDF)
• Charge to External Peer Reviewers (PDF)  (4  pp, 39.1 KB, about PDF)
• Consolidated Comments from the External Peer Review (Final) (PDF)  (81  pp, 437.5 KB, about PDF)

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Document Related Link(s)

• Hazleton Laboratories. (1983) 24-Month oncogenicity study of methylene chloride in mice [final report]. Performed by Hazlelton Laboratories America, Inc., Vienna, VA for the National Coffee Association, New York, NY (Project No. 2112-106). (PDF)  (58  pp, 1.9 MB, about PDF)
• IRIS Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) (Interagency Science Consultation Draft)
• IRIS Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) (Final Report)
• IRIS Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) (Interagency Science Discussion Draft)

Federal Register Notices

• FR Notice: Aug 17, 2010
• FR Notice: Mar 31, 2010