EPA Document# EPA 740-R1-7006 June 2017 United States Office of Chemical Safety and Environmental Protection Agency Pollution Prevention Scope of the Risk Evaluation for Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane, DCM) CASRN: 75-09-2 H Cl H Cl June 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................................... 5 ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................................ 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................... 9 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 12 1.1 Regulatory History ...................................................................................................................... 14 1.2 Assessment History .................................................................................................................... 15 1.3 Data and Information Collection ................................................................................................ 16 2 SCOPE OF THE EVALUATION ..................................................................................................... 18 2.1 Physical and Chemical Properties .............................................................................................. 18 2.2 Conditions of Use ....................................................................................................................... 19 Data and Information Sources ............................................................................................... 19 Identification of Conditions of Use ........................................................................................ 19 2.3 Exposures ................................................................................................................................... 30 Fate and Transport ................................................................................................................ 30 Releases to the Environment ................................................................................................. 31 Presence in the Environment and Biota ................................................................................ 32 Environmental Exposures ...................................................................................................... 33 Human Exposures .................................................................................................................. 33 2.3.5.1 Occupational Exposures ................................................................................................. 33 2.3.5.2 Consumer Exposures ...................................................................................................... 35 2.3.5.3 General Population Exposures ....................................................................................... 35 2.3.5.4 Potentially Exposed or Susceptible Subpopulations ...................................................... 36 2.4 Hazards (Effects) ......................................................................................................................... 37 Environmental Hazards .......................................................................................................... 37 Human Health Hazards .......................................................................................................... 38 2.4.2.1 Non-Cancer Hazards ....................................................................................................... 38 2.4.2.2 Genotoxicity and Cancer Hazards................................................................................... 39 2.4.2.3 Potentially Exposed or Susceptible Subpopulations ...................................................... 39 2.5 Initial Conceptual Models .......................................................................................................... 40 Initial Conceptual Model for Industrial and Commercial Activities and Uses: Potential Exposures and Hazards .......................................................................................................... 40 Initial Conceptual Model for Consumer Activities and Uses: Potential Exposures and Hazards .................................................................................................................................. 42 Initial Conceptual Model for Environmental Releases and Wastes: Potential Exposures and Hazards .................................................................................................................................. 44 2.6 Initial Analysis Plan ..................................................................................................................... 46 Exposure ................................................................................................................................ 46 2.6.1.1 Environmental Releases ................................................................................................. 46 2.6.1.2 Environmental Fate ........................................................................................................ 46 2.6.1.3 Environmental Exposures ............................................................................................... 47 2.6.1.4 Occupational Exposures ................................................................................................. 47 2.6.1.5 Consumer Exposures ...................................................................................................... 47 Page 2 of 72 2.6.1.6 General Population ......................................................................................................... 48 Hazards (Effects) .................................................................................................................... 48 2.6.2.1 Environmental Hazards .................................................................................................. 48 2.6.2.2 Human Health Hazards ................................................................................................... 49 Risk Characterization ............................................................................................................. 49 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................... 50 APPENDICES .................................................................................................................................... 54 Appendix A REGULATORY HISTORY ............................................................................................... 54 Appendix B PROCESS, RELEASE AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE INFORMATION ........................... 66 B.1.1 Manufacturing (Includes Import) .......................................................................................... 66 B.1.1.1 Domestic Manufacturing ................................................................................................ 66 B.1.1.2 Import ............................................................................................................................. 66 B.1.2 Processing and Distribution ................................................................................................... 67 B.1.2.1 Processing as Reactant ................................................................................................... 67 B.1.2.2 Incorporated into Formulation, Mixture, or Reaction Product ...................................... 67 B.1.2.3 Repackaging .................................................................................................................... 67 B.1.2.4 Recycling ......................................................................................................................... 67 B.1.3 Uses ........................................................................................................................................ 68 B.1.3.1 Solvents for Cleaning or Degreasing............................................................................... 68 B.1.3.2 Adhesives and Sealants .................................................................................................. 69 B.1.3.3 Paints and Coatings ........................................................................................................ 69 B.1.3.4 Laundry and Dishwashing Products ............................................................................... 70 B.1.3.5 Lubricants and Greases .................................................................................................. 70 B.1.3.6 Other Uses ...................................................................................................................... 70 B.1.4 Disposal .................................................................................................................................. 70 Page 3 of 72 LIST OF TABLES Table 1-1. Assessment History of Methylene Chloride ............................................................................ 15 Table 2-1. Physical and Chemical Properties of Methylene Chloride ....................................................... 18 Table 2-2. Production Volume of Methylene Chloride in CDR Reporting Period (2012 to 2015) ............ 20 Table 2-3. Categories and Subcategories of Conditions of Use for