Your Most Up-to-Date Resource on Methylene Chloride (MCL)

Welcome! This is your trusted resource for accurate, current, and unbiased information on Methylene Chloride (MCL), its safe and effective uses, ongoing safety practices, and the latest developments around responsible handling and regulations.

Industries That Depend on MCL:

  • Automotive & Manufacturing

  • Aerospace & Aviation

  • Electronics

  • Pharmaceutical Production

  • Industrial & Commercial Paint Removal

Why Stay Informed?

Methylene Chloride (MCL) is widely misunderstood. Here you'll find clear, factual information that cuts through common misconceptions, safety myths, and exaggerated environmental claims.

Stay informed about:

  • Safe practices and handling guidelines

  • Health & safety updates

  • Current regulations & compliance measures

  • Laws & environmental standards

  • Updates on ongoing industry litigation and the regulatory landscape

Quick Facts About Methylene Chloride (MCL)

What is MCL?
Methylene Chloride (also known as Dichloromethane or DCM) is a widely-used solvent known for its effectiveness in dissolving paints, adhesives, and coatings.

Common Uses:

  • Paint stripping and removal

  • Industrial cleaning and degreasing

  • Manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, electronics, and automotive products

  • Production of adhesives, aerosols, and foam products

Industries Affected by MCL:

  • Paint and coatings industry

  • Automotive manufacturing and repair

  • Aerospace industry

  • Electronics manufacturing

  • Pharmaceutical and chemical production

Pros and Cons of MCL Usage

Pros:

  • Highly effective solvent for industrial and commercial applications

  • Cost-effective compared to many alternative solvents

  • Versatile across multiple industries

Cons:

  • Classified as a potential carcinogen (cancer-causing agent)

  • Health risks include respiratory issues, neurological effects, dizziness, and nausea

  • Environmental concerns such as groundwater contamination and air pollution

  • Challenges in safe disposal and recycling

Importance of Recycling, Reducing, and Reusing:
Adopting responsible practices significantly reduces health and environmental risks associated with MCL. Proper recycling, reduction, and reuse are essential for protecting public health and the environment.

Combating False Narratives About MCL

We understand that misinformation can lead to unnecessary fear and confusion regarding Methylene Chloride (MCL). Below, we address common misconceptions with clear, factual information:

Misconception: "MCL has no safe applications and should be completely banned."
Fact: When handled responsibly and according to established safety guidelines, MCL is a highly effective solvent with critical applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals, aerospace, automotive, electronics, and paint removal. Proper safety measures significantly mitigate health and environmental risks.

Misconception: "Alternatives to MCL are always safer and equally effective."
Fact: While alternatives exist, many have their own safety, environmental, or performance limitations. MCL remains uniquely effective and economically viable for certain critical industrial processes, and in some cases, safer handling of MCL may be preferable to less-tested alternatives.

Misconception: "MCL usage inevitably leads to environmental contamination."
Fact: Environmental risks associated with MCL can be effectively managed through proper handling, storage, recycling, and disposal practices. Responsible use and adherence to regulatory guidelines significantly reduce the potential for environmental harm.

Misconception: "Exposure to any amount of MCL is extremely dangerous."
Fact: Regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA have established clear exposure limits and safety guidelines. When these guidelines are strictly followed, risks associated with MCL exposure are minimized, ensuring safe working conditions.

Waste materials that would fill landfills without the use of methylene chloride-based strippers for recycling and refurbishing, reducing landfill waste, mining, and deforestation.

Why Methalyne Chloride products help the environment

  • Methylene Chloride based strippers effectively strip and recycle items that would otherwise be disposed into landfills, increasing landfill usage by millions of cubic feet.

  • If we could not recycle and refurbish items with the proper use of Methylene Chloride strippers and removers, it would increase the need for mining and deforestation for new materials.

  • Much of the methylene chloride used is reclaimed and purified from the pharmaceutical industry’s processes for making prescription medication. If we did not reclaim and purify the methylene chloride, it would be considered a waste product treated by incineration, thus increasing harmful carbon emissions, as well as driving up the cost of medicines from Big Pharma.

Good Work Habits to Control Exposure to MCL Vapors

Control Evaporation:

1. Stir all products before use to ensure that wax and evaporation inhibitors are well mixed

in the formulation.

2. Maintain working temperature between 65-90 degrees if possible

3. If the remover gets too cold, the wax will fracture resulting in more evaporation

4. If it gets over 95-100 degrees, evaporation will increase

5. Keep striping bucket (for flow over tray) or tank (for submersion) covered, even during

stripping

6. Ventilation should be a slow roll to move vapors out of the work area. Think of silt in

water. Do not over ventilate, vapors are heave and sink to the floor do not move vapors

high to breathing level.