Dichloromethane, also known as Methylene Chloride or DCM, is an organic solvent. In fact, it is such a good solvent that most of its common uses involve dissolving something or the other!
In spite of its widespread usage, people might not be aware of what it is and the hazards it may present. This is why we decided to give you a detailed account of what Dichloromethane is, its common uses, how it can affect people, and what you can do to minimise its health risks.
So, let’s start with the basics…
What is Dichloromethane?
DCM is a non-flammable, volatile hydrocarbon used as a solvent.
Scary words? Let’s simplify them a bit!
Non-flammable: Doesn’t burn or catch fire easily
Volatile: Evaporates really quickly
Hydrocarbon: Made up of Hydrogen and Carbon, also known as an organic compound, usually (but not always) a by-product from the petroleum industry.
Solvent: Anything that dissolves something else, like water is a solvent for sugar and lemon juice (and that’s how you get lemonade!)
So, DCM is a liquid that’s made up of Hydrogen and Carbon, that doesn’t catch fire easily but evaporates quickly, and dissolves a lot of other hydrocarbons.
Where is Dichloromethane Used?
The four properties that describe DCM also determine its uses. However, since it’s such a good solvent, this is the property that is most frequently used.
As an organic solvent, DCM can be used:
- To dissolve paint, both to strip dried paint and to act as a base for aerosol paint spray
- To degrease surfaces
- For the extraction of caffeine, cocoa, spices, and beer hops
It is also used in aerosols because it does not catch fire easily.
It is even used in agriculture, as a fumigant for strawberries and grains as well as a de-greening agent for citrus fruits. (That is fancy-talk for artificial fruit ripening!)
As you can see, it has many uses in many industries. This means it’s very easy for workers to get exposed to it.
How Can DCM Affect Us?
Effect of DCM Vapours
Since DCM is highly volatile, people working with it are most likely to be exposed to its vapours.
DCM vapours, like most aromatic hydrocarbon vapours, will have narcotic effects. In smaller quantities, they can make you drowsy, giddy, or give you a headache.
The chemical can affect your central nervous system, affecting your vision, hearing, and even your balance and coordination with long-term exposure. Studies on animals show that it can also affect the kidneys, liver, and the cardiovascular system.
In higher quantities, however, it can get serious. The human body processes DCM to produce Carbon Monoxide. This can lead to unconsciousness and even death.
Although this is still being studied, prolonged exposure to DCM might also lead to cancer.
Effect of DCM on Skin
Since DCM dissolves hydrocarbons, and the fat and oils in our bodies are hydrocarbons, it can strip the oils off the skin. If the exposure was brief, you may likely experience dry skin that feels irritated.
Slightly longer exposure might strip away enough of the skin’s defences to let in infection.
Even longer, and you might get chemical burns.
Always protect your skin with safety gloves and protective clothing & footwear. If you do get it on your skin, wash it well with lots of soap and water.
Effect of DCM on Eyes
DCM can strip the protective lubricating layer in your cornea. This can mean anything from itchy, irritated, dry eyes, to vision problems.
Avoid exposing your eyes to DCM and always wear chemical splash goggles when handling it.
If your eyes do get splashed, they should be washed quickly with copious amounts of water for at least 30 minutes.
How Can You Detect DCM in Your Workspace?
According to the HSE website page for measuring dichloromethane, high-sensitivity Photo-Ionisation Detectors (PID) combined with UV lamps can be used to detect air mixtures of DCM.
They also say that PIDs used with high-energy UV lamps are 30 times more sensitive than PIDs with low-energy UV lamps. However, either way, they can detect DCM at levels below the Workplace Exposure Limits of 300ppm.
The only issue is PIDs with high sensitivity also degrade faster than those with low sensitivity. However, as long as you are aware of this, they can be used to detect low levels of DCM.
How Do You Limit Exposure to DCM?
The HSE document with recommendations for working safely with DCM in furniture stripping advises a three-pronged approach:
- Good working methods
- Suitable protective gear and equipment
- Proper ventilation
While we at Vodex cannot help you plan good working methods, we do offer ventilation and extraction solutions. Smaller quantities of DCM, once captured, can be filtered using General Purpose Carbon Filters. These filters use activated charcoal to trap and remove a wide variety of fumes and vapours, including Dichloromethane.
If you need to extract larger quantities of DCM, we have a range of solvent vapour extraction solutions you can choose from.
Fume extraction solutions & needs are very varied and specialised. While we cannot offer advice on which product will be best for you without understanding your requirements, we can definitely help you find the right extraction solution if you get in touch.
Simply give us a call on +44 (0)1489 899 070 to discuss how your business uses DCM. We will advise you on how you can make your workspace safe for your employees.
