The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), has determined that methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane (DCM), poses an unreasonable risk of injury to health because cumulative exposures to DCM can cause cancer and damage to the liver and kidneys. Acute exposures to high concentrations of DCM vapor in poorly-ventilated spaces has caused central nervous system harm, up to and including unconsciousness and death through respiratory paralysis.
The EPA has identified a limited number of applications that may continue, such as research and solvent welding. A Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP) is required for those entities that continue using DCM under these allowable uses. The University of Minnesota has implemented the following requirements to satisfy this obligation, while each research group or fabrication shop is responsible for the creation of their own SOP.