Dear members of the Illinois Research Community,
I’m writing to update you on a significant change to the way that a common solvent, methylene chloride (dichloromethane, DCM), is regulated. This rule is quite different than most chemical safety regulations and it will affect you if you use DCM.
What’s changing?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented a final rule regulating DCM. The agency has determined that DCM presents an “unreasonable risk of injury to health” and the rule, which went into effect earlier this week, bans almost all uses of the chemical.
While the laboratory use of DCM is not banned, the EPA has issued strict requirements for any continued use. To meet these requirements, we must identify all methylene chloride on campus and perform exposure monitoring for each activity involving DCM, even if used in chemical fume hoods.
What should you do now?
The Division of Research Safety is working with researchers across campus to address this rule change. As an immediate next step, please check your chemical inventory for all methylene chloride. (This includes mixtures where the chemical is present > 0.1%.)
- Eliminate: If you no longer need the chemicals, submit for hazardous waste pickup immediately.
- Substitute: If you actively use the chemical or products containing >0.1% DCM, consider what alternatives could be used and if they will work for your projects.
If you cannot eliminate or substitute DCM, you will need to develop an Exposure Control Plan. DRS will work with you to develop this plan.
Learn more
DRS staff are here to help you navigate these new regulations. Be on the lookout for upcoming information sessions that will go into more detail about the rule and how to comply. And as always, I encourage you to request in-person meetings with DRS to discuss your options, as well.
Please help us to spread the word about this change and look for further communication from the DRS team in the coming weeks and months as we work to minimize the disruptions this new EPA rule may present—while always prioritizing the health and safety of our community.
Sincerely,
SUSAN A. MARTINIS
Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
Stephen G. Sligar Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Professor of Biochemistry
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
Fourth Floor, Swanlund Administration Building
601 E. John St. | M/C 304
Champaign, IL 61820
217.333.0034 | martinis@illinois.edu
research.illinois.edu