Methylene chloride: prohibitions and workplace exposure controls
A U.S. EPA rule effective July 8, 2024 prohibits most methylene chloride uses and establishes a Workplace Chemical Protection Program for specified continuing uses. Covered non-federal, non-laboratory workplaces had staged monitoring and protection deadlines in 2025; laboratory schedules were amended separately.
Use-specific prohibitions, exemptions and federal or laboratory schedules require separate review. This entry does not list every permitted or prohibited use.
- Legal status
- Final rule; laboratory dates amended separately
- Source check
- Sep 17, 2026
- Topic
- Methylene chloride
- Technical review
- Jiaxi · 2026-09-23
What changed
Previous requirement
Earlier consumer paint-removal restrictions and existing OSHA requirements; no claim that TSCA replaces OSHA obligations.
New requirement or current position
Covered continuing uses require exposure assessment, controls and WCPP limits. Laboratory dates are updated in US-EPA-METHYLENE-LABS-2025.
Who it affects
- Chemical manufacturing
- Battery separators
- Plastics/rubber
- Laboratories
- Solvent welding
Dates and milestones
Commencement and compliance dates can differ. Read the conditions beside each date, including any stay or local adoption requirement.
- Announcement or publication
- May 8, 2024
- Recorded effective date
- Jul 8, 2024
Covered non-federal WCPP workplaces excluding extended laboratories
Initial monitoring in original rule; federal/laboratory schedules differ.
Same covered non-federal non-laboratory workplaces
ECEL/STEL, respiratory protections and regulated areas.
Same covered non-federal non-laboratory workplaces
Exposure control plan and compliance methods.
Selected exposure values
These values need the scope, limit type and averaging period shown below. A proposed or advisory value is not a binding limit.
Methylene chloride
2 ppm| Averaging period | 8-hour TWA |
|---|---|
| Limit type | TSCA ECEL |
| Scope | Covered WCPP uses |
Methylene chloride
1 ppm| Averaging period | 8-hour TWA |
|---|---|
| Limit type | TSCA ECEL action level |
| Scope | Covered WCPP uses |
Methylene chloride
16 ppm| Averaging period | 15-minute TWA |
|---|---|
| Limit type | EPA STEL |
| Scope | Covered WCPP uses |
What this could mean for your IH program
Advisory interpretation: Map each use to prohibition, WCPP or exemption before choosing limits; keep OSHA and EPA authority labels separate.
Confirm applicability with a qualified practitioner before changing your program.
Questions and qualifications
- This record does not enumerate every prohibited use or critical-use exemption.
Source evidence
- Methylene Chloride: TSCA final rule
EPA / Federal Register · 89 FR 39254; Dates; IV.B; 40 CFR 751.107
Effective July 8, 2024. WCPP specifies ECEL 2 ppm 8-hour TWA, action level 1 ppm 8-hour TWA and EPA STEL 16 ppm 15-minute TWA for covered continuing uses.
- Risk Management for Methylene Chloride
EPA · Managing Risks; updated March 6, 2026
Most industrial/commercial uses are prohibited; continuing uses require WCPP. Page warns compliance guide and fact sheet are being updated for laboratory extensions.
Managing your IH program
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