Dichloromethane

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.

Potential health effects

Eye: Contact with eyes may cause severe irritation, and possible eye burns. Causes redness and pain. Skin: May cause severe skin irritation. May be absorbed through the skin. Causes redness and pain. Prolonged exposure may result in skin burns. Ingestion: Harmful if swallowed. Causes gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause central nervous system depression, characterized by excitement, followed by headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. Advanced stages may cause collapse, unconsciousness, coma and possible death due to respiratory failure. 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 thryoid effects. May cause blood changes. Overexposure may cause an increase in carboxyhemoglobin levels in the blood. 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. Chronic exposure may cause kidney damage.