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IRIS Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) (Interagency Science Consultation Draft)
Archive disclaimer
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Contact
- Norman Birchfield
- by phone at: 703-347-0174
- by fax at: 703-347-8699
- by email at: birchfield.norman@epa.gov
- by fax at: 703-347-8699
Downloads/Related Links
- Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane (Interagency Science Consultation Draft) (PDF) (367 pp, 3 MB, about PDF)
- Charge to External Peer Reviewers (Interagency Science Consultation Draft) (PDF) (4 pp, 45 KB, about PDF)
- OMB Comments of the Review of Dichloromethane (Dec 2009) (PDF) (10 pp, 65 KB, about PDF)
- ATSDR/NCEH Comments of the Review of Dichloromethane (Jan 2010) (PDF) (1 pp, 32 KB, about PDF)
- DoD Comments of the Review of Dichloromethane (Jan 2010) (PDF) (19 pp, 145 KB, about PDF)
- DoD Comments on the External Peer Review Charge (Jan 2010) (PDF) (10 pp, 48 KB, about PDF)
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
| 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 and the interagency review draft with comments. |
Next Steps
Following external peer review the assessment will be revised taking into consideration external peer review and public comments, will undergo a final EPA internal review and a review by a science discussion with other federal agencies and White House offices, then will be posted to the IRIS Web site.
Citation
U.S. EPA. IRIS Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) (Interagency Science Consultation Draft). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/635/R-10/003C, 2010.