Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) is known to be metabolized to carbon monoxide in man and animals, primarily by the liver. Because the oxygen content of blood is decreased, depriving the brain and heart of the oxygen they require, serious permanent damage may result. Carboxyhemoglobin is formed from the interaction of carbon monoxide and hemoglobin. Persons exposed to levels of dichloromethane that do not exceed the industrial standard of 500 ppm may have blood carboxyhemoglobin levels that exceed those allowable from direct exposure to carbon monoxide. The adverse health effects associated with dichloromethane exposure are primarily neurological and cardiovascular. There is evidence that exposure can result in hemolytic anemia, especially among those individuals with erythrocytes deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The observed cardiotoxic properties include cardiodepression and cardiosensitization. Nonfatal exposures have caused EKG changes similar to those caused by carbon monoxide.

"Jean C. Parker ... Project Coordinator". "March 1982"--Cover. "Review Draft." Includes bibliographical references. "EPA-600/8-82-004"--Cover.

"The Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, in consultation with an Agency work group, has prepared this health assessment to serve as a "source document" for Agency-wide use. Originally the health assessment was developed for use by the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, however, at the request of the Agency Work Group on Solvents, the assessment scope was expanded to address multimedia aspects. This assessment will help insure consistency in the Agency's consideration of the relevant scientific health data associated with methylene chloride. In the development of the assessment document, the scientific literature has been inventoried, key studies have been evaluated and summary/conclusions have been prepared so that the chemical's toxicity and related characteristics are qualitatively identified. Observed effect levels and dose-response relationships are discussed, where appropriate, so that the nature of the adverse health responses are placed in perspective with observed environmental levels."--Preface.