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Hazard Comparison: Methylene Chloride and Study Substitutes |
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| Physical Data |
Acute Health |
Chronic Health |
Safety, Physical & Ergonomic |
Environmental |
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| Methylene Chloride |
Highly volatile, low odor threshold |
Central nervous system suppression: headache, dizziness, nausea; dermatitis |
Suspect carcinogen, heart problems, liver damage |
None observed |
Chlorine persistence, Hazardous Air Pollutant; hazardous waste |
| Alkaline Cleaner |
pH: 13-14. Packaged as liquid concentrate |
Caustic irritation, Respiratory, skin, eyes |
Skin defatting, tissue damage. |
Electrical/hot water |
Alkaline wastewater, oil and soil waste |
| N-Methyl Pyrrolidone |
Low volatility |
Moderate eye and skin irritant |
Reproductive toxin: fetal death and abnormalities in second generation of exposed female and male rats. Dermatitis. |
None |
Hazardous waste, Toxics Release Inventory reporting |
| Freon 141b |
High volatility |
Skin and eye irritant. Central nervous system suppression: headache, dizziness, nausea; loss of concentration. Cardiac arrhythmia. |
Cardiac arrhythmia; risk of heart attack. |
None |
Ozone-depleting HCFC (use banned as of 2003); hazardous waste |
| Dibasic Esters |
Low volatility at room temp.; used in heated process. |
Respiratory, skin, eyes irritation; blurry vision |
None reported |
None expected |
Moderately toxic to aquatic life |
| Propylene Glycol |
Low volatility at room temp.; used in heated process. |
Respiratory and eye irritation at high temperatures |
None reported |
None expected |
None reported |
| Baking Soda Blast |
Slightly basic. Fine powder. |
None reported on Material Safety Data Sheets. Probably a mild respiratory irritant. |
None reported |
Electrical/hot water, noise, physiological load, awkward posture, force, vibration |
Non-toxic |
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Source: Material Safety Data Sheets and NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Jan. 2003 | |||||
Roelofs and Ellenbecker Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source 2003 2:9 doi:10.1186/1476-069X-2-9 |
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