Dichloromethane

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Appearance colorless liquid. This substance has caused adverse reproductive and fetal effects in animals. Potential cancer hazard. Warning! Causes eye and skin irritation. Causes respiratory tract irritation. Harmful if swallowed. May be harmful if inhaled. May cause central nervous system effects. Methylene chloride is metabolically converted to carbon monoxide after systemic absorption, which yields increased concentrations of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood. May cause kidney damage. Target Organs: Blood, kidneys, heart, central nervous system, liver, lungs, pancreas.

Potential health effects

Eye: Contact with eyes may cause severe irritation, and possible eye burns. Skin: May be absorbed through the skin. Causes irritation with burning pain, itching, and redness. Prolonged exposure may result in skin burns. Ingestion: Causes gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause kidney damage. May cause central nervous system depression, characterized by excitement, followed by headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. p. 1 Advanced stages may cause collapse, unconsciousness, coma and possible death due to respiratory failure. May cause carboxyhemoglobinemia. Inhalation: Inhalation of high concentrations may cause central nervous system effects characterized by nausea, headache, dizziness, unconsciousness and coma. Causes respiratory tract irritation. May cause narcotic effects in high concentration. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. May cause blood changes. Overexposure may cause an increase in carboxyhemoglobin levels in the blood. Can produce delayed pulmonary edema. Because of its high volatility, airborne concentrations of methylene c hloride can accumulate in poorly ventilated areas. Odor is a poor indi cator of possibly dangerous air concentrations of methylene chloride. Chronic: Possible cancer hazard based on tests with laboratory animals. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis. May cause reproductive and fetal effects. Laboratory experiments have resulted in mutagenic effects. Chronic exposure may cause lung, liver, and pancreatic tumors. May cause conjunctivitis and/or corneal burns.