Ban on dichloromethane introduced, restricted release for industrial use

On April 30, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a ban on the use of multi-purpose dichloromethane in accordance with the risk management regulations of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This move aims to ensure that critical use dichloromethane can be safely used through a comprehensive worker protection program. The ban will take effect within 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register.

Dichloromethane is a dangerous chemical, which may cause a variety of cancers and serious health problems, including liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, leukemia and central nervous system cancer. In addition, it also carries the risk of neurotoxicity and liver damage. Therefore, the ban requires relevant companies to gradually reduce the production, processing, and distribution of dichloromethane for consumer and most industrial and commercial purposes, including home decoration. Consumer use will be phased out within one year, while industrial and commercial use will be banned within two years.

For a few scenarios with important uses in highly industrialized environments, this ban allows for the retention of dichloromethane and establishes a key worker protection mechanism – the Workplace Chemical Protection Plan. This plan sets strict exposure limits, monitoring requirements, and worker training and notification obligations for dichloromethane to protect workers from the threat of cancer and other health problems caused by exposure to such chemicals. For workplaces that will continue to use dichloromethane, the vast majority of companies need to comply with the new regulations within 18 months after the release of risk management rules and conduct regular monitoring.

These key uses include:

Producing other chemicals, such as important refrigeration chemicals that can gradually phase out harmful hydrofluorocarbons under the Bipartisan American Innovation and Manufacturing Act;

Production of electric vehicle battery separators;

Processing aids in closed systems;

The use of laboratory chemicals;

Plastic and rubber manufacturing, including the production of polycarbonate;

Solvent welding.