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Workplace Health & Safety Feb 2018Methylene chloride is an industrial solvent used in commercial paint strippers and degreasing agents. This chemical is widely used in consumer products, yet without...
Methylene chloride is an industrial solvent used in commercial paint strippers and degreasing agents. This chemical is widely used in consumer products, yet without appropriate protections, exposure may lead to death. Already banned in some countries, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed limiting its use in the United States.
Topics: Humans; Methylene Chloride; Occupational Exposure; Solvents; United States
PubMed: 29053053
DOI: 10.1177/2165079917736319 -
New Solutions : a Journal of... Nov 2023Last May 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rule to restrict the production and use of a dangerous chemical called methylene...
Last May 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rule to restrict the production and use of a dangerous chemical called methylene chloride pursuant to its authority under the Toxic Substance Control Act-the first such measure since Congress significantly overhauled that law in 2016. Methylene chloride presents a variety of health and safety risks, particularly for workers in industries in which the chemical is still widely used. In support of the proposed rule, the EPA prepared a document called a cost-benefit analysis, which purports to evaluate the rule by calculating its net benefits-that is, the rule's likely benefits over and above its likely costs. Cost-benefit analysis has been the subject of substantial criticism in recent decades, and the Biden administration is pursuing significant reforms for how these analyses are performed. Together with my colleague Dr. Federico Holm, I submitted comments to the EPA criticizing the cost-benefit analysis for the proposed methylene chloride rule. In these comments, we criticize the agency for continuing to employ an overly formalistic approach to cost-benefit analysis, which both systematically undervalues the benefits of regulations and ignores impact issues like worker justice. We also criticize several specific aspects of the agency's analytical methodology, including its failure to follow the proposed reforms now being developed by the Biden administration.
Topics: Humans; United States; Methylene Chloride; United States Environmental Protection Agency
PubMed: 37644913
DOI: 10.1177/10482911231198148 -
Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics Jul 2023The use of harmful solvents during the preparation of pharmaceutical formulations is restricted to preserve environment and ensure safety of industrial operations.... (Review)
Review
The use of harmful solvents during the preparation of pharmaceutical formulations is restricted to preserve environment and ensure safety of industrial operations. However, harmful solvents must be used to produce certain formulations. For instance, methylene chloride has been used in the fabrication of polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres. This review highlights the latest advances in the strategy of PLA or PLGA microsphere production from non-halogenated solvents and describes advantages and limitations of these methods. The study also discusses the development of dry fabrication techniques for microsphere fabrication and the positioning of conventional and dry fabrication in the containment concept for workers' safety.
Topics: Humans; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Polyglycolic Acid; Lactic Acid; Microspheres; Polyesters; Solvents; Particle Size
PubMed: 37245983
DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2023.01008 -
Toxicology Communications 2019Methylene chloride is a volatile, chlorinated hydrocarbon and colorless solvent found in multiple industrial products including paint strippers, metal cleaners,...
Methylene chloride is a volatile, chlorinated hydrocarbon and colorless solvent found in multiple industrial products including paint strippers, metal cleaners, automotive products, pesticides and aerosol containers. Occupational exposure to methylene chloride is reported in automotive technicians, painters, and other industrial workers with adverse health effects including gastrointestinal, neurological, as well as hepato-renal injuries. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies methylene chloride as a 2 A carcinogen. Through a series of reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), metabolism of methylene chloride leads to the formation of formyl chloride, and ultimately carbon monoxide (CO). Most reports of methylene chloride toxicity are due to dermal and inhalational exposure in occupational settings. Ingestion of methylene chloride is uncommon, yet can lead to significant toxicity and prolonged CO toxicity. Methylene chloride is frequently formulated with methanol; individuals who intentionally ingest methylene chloride can experience concomitant methanol toxicity. We present a case of acute ingestion of paint stripper containing methanol and methylene chloride. We discuss the clinical presentation, key management decisions, relevant pathophysiology and biochemistry, as well as the clinical course and management.
PubMed: 31745533
DOI: 10.1080/24734306.2019.1685222 -
JAMA Internal Medicine Jun 2021Methylene chloride is a halogenated organic solvent widely used in paint strippers, cleaners, adhesives, and sealants. Despite label warnings and occupational standards,...
IMPORTANCE
Methylene chloride is a halogenated organic solvent widely used in paint strippers, cleaners, adhesives, and sealants. Despite label warnings and occupational standards, methylene chloride-related fatalities continue to occur in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and analyze methylene chloride-related fatalities in the US.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
For this case series, we conducted systematic searches of sources, including PubMed and government databases, for unintentional fatalities in the US that were associated with exposure to methylene chloride or products containing methylene chloride between 1980 and 2018. We reviewed all available information, including inspection reports, autopsy reports, and medical records; data analyses were conducted from August 2018 to August 2020. Cases were categorized as those occurring in the home (consumer deaths) or at work (occupational deaths).
EXPOSURES
Methylene chloride or products containing methylene chloride.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
To determine characteristics of the methylene chloride-related fatalities, we recorded demographic information; the setting; circumstances, including information on safety measures used, if available; and products used. Where medical records were available, we recorded toxicology results and autopsy findings. We also obtained data about nonfatal methylene chloride cases from the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
RESULTS
From 1980 to 2018, 85 methylene chloride-related fatalities were identified in the US, including 74 (87%) in occupational settings; of those who died, 75 (94%) were men, and for the 70 cases with available information, the median (interquartile range) age of the decedents was 31 (24-46) years. Paint strippers were the most common products involved in methylene chloride-related fatalities (n = 60). The proportion of occupational fatalities related to paint stripping increased from 22 (55%) before 2000 to 30 (88%) after 2000. Similarly, occupational fatalities associated with bathtub or paint stripping in bathrooms increased from 2 (5%) before 2000 to 21 (62%) after 2000. From 1985 to 2017, the American Association of Poison Control Centers documented 37 201 nonfatal methylene chloride cases, with a decrease in the annual number of cases starting in the late 1990s.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Results of this case series demonstrated that despite regulations to address the toxic effects of methylene chloride use for consumers and workers, there are continuing fatalities in the US, particularly in occupational settings. Prevention of fatalities associated with methylene chloride exposure should emphasize the use of safer substitutes, rather than hazard warnings or reliance on personal protective equipment.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Methylene Chloride; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Poison Control Centers; Poisoning; United States; Young Adult
PubMed: 33871539
DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.1063 -
Fitoterapia Jun 2023Chagas disease, African trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis are neglected parasitic diseases which affect millions of people worldwide. In a previous work, we report the...
Chagas disease, African trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis are neglected parasitic diseases which affect millions of people worldwide. In a previous work, we report the antiprotozoal activity of the dichloromethane extract of Mikania periplocifolia Hook. & Arn. (Asteraceae). The aim of this work was to isolate and identify the bioactive compounds present in the extract. The fractionation of the dichloromethane extract has led to the isolation of the sesquiterpene lactone miscandenin and the flavonoid onopordin, together with the sesquiterpene lactones mikanolide, dihydromikanolide and deoxymikanolide, which have previously shown antiprotozoal activity. Miscandenin and onopordin were assayed in vitro against Trypanosoma cruzi, T. brucei and Leishmania braziliensis. Miscandenin was active against T. cruzi trypomastigotes and amastigotes with IC values of 9.1 and 7.7 μg/ml, respectively. This sesquiterpene lactone and the flavonoid onopordin showed activity against T. brucei trypomastigotes (IC = 0.16 and 0.37 μg/ml) and L. braziliensis promastigotes (IC = 0.6 and 1.2 μg/ml), respectively. The CC values on mammalian cells were 37.9 and 53.4 μg/ml for miscandenin and onopordin, respectively. Besides, the pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties of miscandenin were assessed in silico, showing a good drug-likeness profile. Our results highlight this compound as a promising candidate for further preclinical studies in the search of new drugs for the treatment of trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Asteraceae; Mikania; Methylene Chloride; Plant Extracts; Molecular Structure; Antiprotozoal Agents; Trypanosoma cruzi; Leishmaniasis; Flavonoids; Lactones; Sesquiterpenes; Mammals
PubMed: 37019368
DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105499 -
Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT Oct 2020Paint and varnish removers constitute a major potential source of organic solvent exposure to contractors and home improvement enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the leading... (Review)
Review
Paint and varnish removers constitute a major potential source of organic solvent exposure to contractors and home improvement enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the leading paint remover formulations have traditionally contained, as major ingredients, chemicals classified as probable human carcinogens (eg, methylene chloride) or reproductive toxicants (eg, N-methylpyrrolidone). In addition, because of its unique toxicology (ie, hepatic conversion to carbon monoxide compounding generic solvent narcosis and arrythmogenesis), high volatility, and rigorous requirements for personal protective equipment, methylene chloride exposures from paint removers have been linked to numerous deaths involving both occupational and consumer usage. The aim of this review is to summarize the known toxicology of solvent-based paint remover constituents (including those found in substitute formulations) in order to provide health risk information to regulators, chemical formulators, and end-users of this class of products, and to highlight any data gaps that may exist.
Topics: Adult; Carcinogens; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Paint; Solvents; Volatile Organic Compounds
PubMed: 32342556
DOI: 10.1002/jat.3979 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023The recent rapid growth of the battery industry has led to a rapid increase in methylene chloride emissions. Methylene chloride causes health and social problems in...
The recent rapid growth of the battery industry has led to a rapid increase in methylene chloride emissions. Methylene chloride causes health and social problems in humans. In this study, cellulose-based activated carbon fibers (CACFs) with improved yield were prepared for the removal of methylene chloride. The concentration of ammonium phosphate in the pretreatment controlled the crosslink density of cellulose fibers and improved the yield. From the results, the specific surface area and total pore volume of cellulose-based activated carbon fibers pretreated with ammonium phosphate (AP-CACFs) were determined to be 1920-2060 m/g and 0.83-1.02 cm/g, respectively, and the total yield improved by 6.78-11.59% compared to that of CACFs (4.97%). In particular, a correlation between the textural properties of CACFs and methylene chloride adsorption/desorption behavior was obtained. This correlation can be used to develop efficient adsorbents for methylene chloride removal.
PubMed: 37836838
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28196997 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Oct 2021Microbial resistance, diabetes mellitus, and obesity are global health care problems that have posed a serious threat to both human and environmental ecosystems. The...
BACKGROUND
Microbial resistance, diabetes mellitus, and obesity are global health care problems that have posed a serious threat to both human and environmental ecosystems. The goals of the present investigations are to investigate the phytoconstituents, antilipase, anti-α-amylase, and antimicrobial activity of Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers. (OA) from Palestine.
METHODS
Identification of the phytoconstituents of OA plant petroleum ether, methylene chloride, chloroform, acetone, and methanol extracts were conducted using pharmacopeia's methods, while porcine pancreatic lipase and α-amylase inhibitory activities were examined using p-nitrophenyl butyrate and 3,5-dinitro salicylic acid methods, respectively. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity was evaluated utilizing broth microdilution assay against eight bacterial and fungal strains.
RESULTS
The phytochemical screening results showed that the methanol extract of the OA plant is rich in phytochemical components, also this extract has powerful antilipase potential with an IC value of 19.49 ± 0.16 μg/ml comparing with the positive control (Orlistat) which has antilipase activity with IC value of 12.3 ± 0.35 μg/ml. Moreover, the methanol and chloroform extracts have powerful α-amylase inhibitory activity with IC values of 28.18 ± 0.22 and 28.18 ± 1.22 μg/ml, respectively comparing with Acarbose which has α-amylase inhibitory activity with IC dose of 26.3.18 ± 0.28 μg/ml. The antibacterial results showed that the methylene chloride extract exhibited the highest antibacterial activity among the other OA plant extracts with a MIC value of 0.78 mg/ml against S. aureus, while, the methylene chloride, petroleum ether, and chloroform extracts of the OA plant showed potential antifungal activity against C. albicans strains with MIC value of 0.78 mg/ml.
CONCLUSION
The OA methanol and chloroform extracts could be excellent candidates as antilipase and anti-α-amylase bioactive materials. In addition, methylene chloride, petroleum ether, and chloroform extracts could be potential natural antimicrobial products.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Obesity Agents; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Lipase; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle East; Orobanche; Phytochemicals; Swine; alpha-Amylases
PubMed: 34625075
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03431-x