Risk Management for Methylene Chloride
Below is information on EPA actions to manage the unreasonable risk from methylene chloride and protect public health. Methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane and DCM, is a volatile chemical used in a wide range of industrial, commercial, and consumer applications like adhesives, sealants, degreasers, cleaners, and automobile products.
On this page:
- Managing risks from methylene chloride
- Opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement
- 2019 regulation addressing consumer paint and coating removal
On other pages:
- Learn how EPA manages unreasonable risks from chemicals currently on the market.
- View a list of all chemicals undergoing risk evaluation, including docket numbers and agency points of contact.
Managing Risks from Methylene Chloride
In May 2025, EPA issued a proposal to extend various upcoming compliance dates in the final risk management rule for methylene chloride in order to ensure long-term compliance with the rule's requirements. The proposal extends the Workplace Chemical Protection Program compliance dates for non-federal laboratories by 18 months, to align with the dates allowed for federal laboratories and their contractors.
While we are proposing new compliance dates through this action, the current deadlines remain effective until modified through this rulemaking. Enforcement of the current deadlines is a low enforcement priority for the agency, and EPA intends to focus its resources on compliance with the new compliance dates that may be established by this rulemaking. EPA retains the right to take action to address imminent and substantial threats to human health and the environment.
In April 2024, EPA finalized prohibitions and workplace protections under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for methylene chloride to protect human health.
Final Risk Management Rule for Methylene Chloride
FACT SHEET: Regulation of Methylene Chloride under TSCA (pdf)
COMPLIANCE GUIDE: Regulation of Methylene Chloride under TSCA (pdf)
EPA’s final rule:
- Prohibits manufacturing, processing and distribution of methylene chloride for all consumer uses.
- Prohibits most industrial and commercial uses of methylene chloride, including paint and coating removers. Consumer paint and coating removal was prohibited in 2019.
- Creates strict workplace protections through a Workplace Chemical Protection Program to ensure that for the remaining uses, workers will not be harmed by methylene chloride use.
- Requires manufacturers (including importers), processors, and distributors to notify companies to whom methylene chloride is shipped of the prohibitions and to maintain records.
Most prohibited uses will be fully phased out within 2 years. Alternative products with similar costs and efficacy to methylene chloride products are generally available for most prohibited uses.
Uses that will continue under the Workplace Chemical Protection Program are highly industrialized and important to national security and the economy and are uses for which EPA received data and other information showing that the workplace safety measures could be achieved. These uses include:
- Use in the production of other chemicals, including chemicals that are important in efforts to reduce global warming outlined in the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act.
- Production of battery separators for electric vehicles.
- Use as a processing aid in a closed system.
- Use as a laboratory chemical.
- Use in plastic and rubber manufacturing, including polycarbonate production.
- Use in solvent welding.
Additionally, specific uses of methylene chloride required by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Federal Aviation Administration will also continue with strict workplace controls because sufficient reductions in exposure are possible in these highly sophisticated environments, thereby minimizing risks to workers.
For uses of methylene chloride continuing under the Workplace Chemical Protection Program, most workplaces will have 18 months after the finalization of the risk management rule to comply with the program and would be required to periodically monitor their workplace to ensure that workers are not being exposed to levels of methylene chloride that would lead to an unreasonable risk.
The final risk management rule is based on EPA’s June 2020 TSCA section 6 risk evaluation, as amended by the November 2022 final revised risk determination for methylene chloride.
In the final revised risk determination, EPA determined that methylene chloride as a whole chemical presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health under its conditions of use and did not assume the use of personal protective equipment. The unreasonable risk determination was driven by 52 of the 53 conditions of use EPA evaluated.
Opportunities for Public and Stakeholder Engagement
EPA will develop a guide to help small businesses and others comply with the risk management rule.
- View a list of all public and stakeholder engagement opportunities related to risk management.
- You can reach out to the EPA point of contact for this chemical, listed at the top, right of this page, for more information or to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
- You can also stay informed by signing for our email alerts or checking the public docket at EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0465 at www.regulations.gov.
Past Meetings, Webinars, and Other Engagement Opportunities
EPA hosted a webinar on June 4, 2024, about the final risk management rule. View the materials for the webinar.
EPA hosted a webinar on June 7, 2023, about the proposed risk management rule. View the materials for the webinar.
EPA completed the Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel for the methylene chloride rulemaking on October 28, 2021. Learn more.
EPA held two identical consultation webinars, on November 16, 2020, and November 19, 2020, to consult with communities on risk management for methylene chloride and 1-BP. Materials can be found in the public docket.
On September 16, 2020, EPA held a webinar on the TSCA risk management process and the findings in the final risk evaluation for methylene chloride. View the materials for the webinar.
2019 Regulation Addressing Consumer Paint and Coating Removal
In March 2019, EPA issued a final rule to prohibit the manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution of methylene chloride for consumer paint and coating removal. EPA has taken this action because of the acute fatalities that have resulted from exposure to the chemical in consumer paint and coating removal. After November 22, 2019, all persons are prohibited from manufacturing (including importing), processing, and distributing in commerce, including distribution to and by retailers, methylene chloride for consumer paint and coating removal. EPA is also requiring manufacturers, processors, and distributors to notify retailers and others in their supply chains of the prohibitions and to maintain records.
EPA is encouraging all consumers to stop using methylene chloride products that they may have already purchased for paint and coating removal. Please consult your state and local government solid waste agencies to obtain proper disposal instructions for leftover or unused paint and coating removal products.