Chemical SOP - Halogenated Solvent:  Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride)

Location(s):
CHESS Chemical Lab (Wilson 170)

Specified Hazards:
Suspect cancer hazard (contains material which can cause cancer in animals).  Risk of cancer depends on duration and level of contact.  Causes respiratory tract, skin and eye irritation.  May cause blood disorders.  May cause convulsions.  May affect blood cells.  May affect the central nervous system.  May cause adverse reproductive effects.  May damage the kidneys, the liver, and the lungs.

1. Purchasing:  CHESS Laboratory personnel (Staff Scientists, Operators, and Technicians) have approval to purchase methylene chloride.  The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for methylene chloride is available in the folder outside the CHESS chemical room door (Wilson 170).  All staff members and operators must receive training from a senior CHESS staff member and familiarize themselves with the MSDS information before working with methylene chloride.  Quantities of this material will be limited to the smallest amount necessary to complete the experiment.

2. Storage:  Four liter bottles should be stored in the Solvents Cabinet in the CHESS Chemical Room.  Do NOT mix or store next to incompatible chemicals.  Total volume of flammable solvents in the CHESS Chemical Room must be less than ten gallons.  Small (500 mL) wash bottles may be used and stored throughout CHESS for cleaning operations.

3. Authorized Personnel:  Use will be limited to the following personnel (when properly trained):
   CHESS Senior Staff Scientists
   Technical Staff
   Post doctoral employees
   CHESS Users (if they can demonstrate previous safety training)

4. Training Requirements:  CHESS staff training should include the following:
   Review of current MSDS
   Special training provided by the department
   Review of the departmental safety procedures
   Review of the Cornell Chemical Hygiene Plan
   Taking Chemical Safety for Laboratory Workers by Cornell (EH&S)
   Taking Chemical Waste (Hazardous Waste/RCRA) Training from Cornell (EH&S)

5. Use Location:  Small (500 mL) wash bottles may be used and stored throughout CHESS for cleaning operations.  All other uses should be done in the CHESS Chemical Room Hood or the G-line Chemical Room Hood.  All uses should be away from flames or ignition sources.

6. Personal Protective Equipment:  All personnel are required to wear the following personal protective equipment whenever handling this material:  Safety glasses or goggles, vinyl, Neoprene Gloves or Nitrile gloves, Lab Coat or apron, and Closed Shoes (absolutely no sandals, open toed or open healed shoes).  Good ventilation is required.

7. Waste Disposal:  The authorized person using this material is responsible for the safe collection, preparation and proper disposal of waste unless otherwise stated below.  Waste shall be disposed of as soon as possible and in accordance with all laboratory and University procedures.
   Specific instructions:  These materials must always be handled as hazardous wastes.  The evaporation of hazardous waste as a means of disposal is not allowed!  Bottle and label all waste according to the Chemical Waste Disposal Procedures (section #7) of The Cornell Chemical Hygiene Plan and the CHESS and LNS Satellite Waste Area Procedures.  For further information contact the CHESS Chemical Safety Officer or EH&S.

8. Decontamination:  Specific instructions:  Wash items/surfaces with light contamination with soap or detergent in water.

9. Exposures:  First Aid Measures and Emergency procedures to be followed:

   Skin Contact
   Symptoms:  Prolonged skin contact may result in burns & absorption.  Prolonged skin contact may cause dermatitis.
   First aid:  Wash skin with soap & water.  Call a physician.

   Eye Contact
   Symptoms:  Irritation, spasms of the lid.
   First aid:  Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally.  Get immediate medical attention.

   Inhalation
   Symptoms:  Excitation followed by inebriation, headache, fatigue, dizziness, salivation, nausea, disorientation, anesthesia, respiratory failure, cardiac arrhythmia, death.  Narcotic in high concentrations.  Causes CNS depression, liver or kidney damage.  Suspect carcinogen.
   First aid:  Remove to fresh air.  Provide CPR/oxygen if necessary.  Call a physician.

   Ingestion
   Symptoms:  Burning of the digestive tract, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.  Aspiration hazard, narcotic, toxic to the liver and kidneys.  May cause lung damage if vomited after swallowing.
   First aid:  Do NOT induce vomiting except on advice of competent medical personnel.  If conscious, drink water.  Get medical attention Immediately.

10. Spills:  Use personal protective equipment as described above.  Evacuate area.  Shut off all sources of ignition.  For small spills, wear nitrile gloves and goggles.  For small spills, use paper towel or other wipes to absorb alcohol, for larger spills, use the solvent spill kit in the CHESS Chemical Room or the G-line Chemical Room.  Bag all spill materials in plastic bag/s and label with a Cornell EH&S hazardous waste label for pickup.  Ventilate area and wash spill site with detergent and water.  Notify EH&S of spill and to receive any special instructions regarding spill.

11. Phone Numbers
    Cornell Campus Police - 911 (accidents, spills)
    Environmental Health and Safety - 5-8200
    Gannett Health Center - 5-5155

12. Other:  Methylene Chloride is a suspected cancer hazard.

Prepared by:  David J. Jones
Date:  9 July, 2001

Last Update: 2006-09-21