Chemical of the Week Part 2 - Methylene Chloride

Hazard Profile

Chemical Name and Pseudonyms

Methylene Chloride, Dichloromethane, Methylene Dichloride, 75-09-2

UN Number

1593

Chemical Formula

CH₂Cl₂

Hazards

Skin irritant, CNS depressant, metabolizes to form Carbon Monoxide in blood stream, forms acids when mixed with water.

PPE Considerations

Splash Protective Garment, SFPC, or multi-threat ensemble with SCBA

Fire Fighting Considerations

Water, CO ₂, dry chemical, ATC AFFF

Decontamination

Ventilation, soap and water, flooding water flushing

Detection and Monitoring

Colormetric, electrochemical sensor, PID IP = 11.32 ev, FTIR, spectroscopy

Chemical and Physical Properties

Physical State

Colorless liquid with chloroform like odor

Vapor Pressure

~350 mmHg

Boiling Point

~104^oF

Vapor Density

~2.9

Specific Gravity

~1.3

Miscibility

Miscible

Flash Point

-

LEL/UEL

13% / 23%

Autoignition Temp

1032^oF

pH

-

Toxicity

IDLH

Ca, ~2300 ppm

PEL/REL/STEL

24 ppm/Ca/125 ppm

LD50

2000 mg/kg

LC50

53 mg/l

Radioactive (Yes/No)

No

Medical

Toxicological Considerations

Toxic by all routes. 

Signs/Symptoms of Exposure

Respiratory symptoms, skin irritation and burns, eye damage, chest tightness, CNS

Medical Treatment

Fresh air and treat symptomatically, flush areas of contact with copious amounts of water

Other Information

Metabolizes to carbon monoxide when inhaled, hydrogen chloride released when mixed with water, incompatible with strong oxidizers, caustics, chemically active metals, and nitric acid

Chemical Structure