ATSDR - Toxic Substances - Methylene Chloride
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Methylene Chloride

CAS ID #: 75-09-2

Affected Organ Systems: Cardiovascular (Heart and Blood Vessels), Hepatic (Liver), Neurological (Nervous System)

Cancer Classification: NTP: Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen

Please contact NTP, IARC, or EPA’s IRIS Hotline with questions on cancer and cancer classification.

Chemical Classification: Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)

Summary:

Methylene chloride is a colorless liquid with a mild, sweet odor. Another name for it is dichloromethane. Methylene chloride does not occur naturally in the environment.

Methylene chloride is used as an industrial solvent and as a paint stripper. It may also be found in some aerosol and pesticide products and is used in the manufacture of photographic film.

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  • Toxicological Profile

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  • Addendum to the Profile (PDF, 287KB)

    Addendum to the Toxicological Profile for Methylene Chloride (July 2010)
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