Preventing Worker Deaths from Methylene Chloride – Additional Information

OHB Investigation Reports

• Methylene chloride linked to worker death in tank - 2011
• Methylene chloride linked to worker death in church - 2012
• Bathtub refinisher dies from methylene chloride exposure while removing paint from a bathtub - 2017

Resources

• Methylene Chloride (PDF) - OHB fact sheet
• NIOSH Methylene Chloride Topic Page - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) web page
• Federal OSHA Safety and Health Topics: Methylene Chloride - Occupational Safety and Health Administration web page
• Methylene Chloride Used in Bathtub Refinishing – Washington State Department of Labor and Industries web page
• Methylene Chloride and Bathtubs: A Dangerous Combination – Michigan Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program video

Journal Articles

• Fatalities Due to Dichloromethane in Paint Strippers: A Continuing Problem  journal article abstract, 2013
• Fatal Exposure to Methylene Chloride Among Bathtub Refinishers, 2000-2011  MMWR article, 2012

Technical Reports

• Survey of retail stores: Methylene chloride in paint strippers (PDF) OHB report
• Methylene Chloride Consumer Product Paint Strippers: Low-VOC, Low Toxicity Alternatives (PDF, 1.3 MB) report, 2006

European Union Documents

The European Union has restricted the sale of methylene-chloride-containing paint strippers to consumers and for most occupational uses. These documents provide additional background and technical information.

• European Parliament Decision No. 455/2009/EC amending Council Directive 76/769/EEC as regards restrictions on the marketing and use of dichloromethane (PDF)  – 2009
• Decision of the European Parliament as regards restrictions on the marketing and use of dichloromethane (PDF)  –Includes possible policy options to control the risks from dichloromethane in paint stripping applications; 2008
• Impact Assessment of Potential Restrictions on the Marketing and Use of Dichloromethane in Paint Strippers (PDF, 1 MB) – Report prepared for European Commission Directorate – General Enterprise and Industry, 2007 

Preventing Worker Deaths from Paint Strippers Containing Methylene Chloride – main page