Fatalities due to dichloromethane in paint strippers: a continuing problem

Details

• Personal Author:
  Boysen-Osborn M ; Cierpich, Hank ; Harrison, Robert ; Krishnaswami J ; MacIsaac J ; McNary, Jennifer ; Shusterman D ; Styles, Laura ; Suchard J
• Description:
  Background: Exposure to dichloromethane (DCM or methylene chloride - CH2Cl2) in paint strippers continues to be an avoidable source of morbidity and mortality. DCM has been under regulatory scrutiny by occupational and consumer product agencies since the identification of its carcinogenicity in the mid-1980s. Methods: We investigated two independent workplace incidents that resulted in three cases of DCM intoxication from paint stripper use. Results: Each incident investigated resulted in a fatality. A third worker suffered obtundation requiring hospitalization and intubation. Conclusions: The continued occurrence of fatalities and other serious injuries due to DCM-containing paint strippers in the United States calls for a re-evaluation of existing regulatory strategies. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Carcinogens Case Reports Chemistry Chlorine Confined Spaces Hazardous Substances Methane Morbidity Mortality Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Paint Safety Solvents Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Asphyxia Author Keywords: Dichloromethane Carcinogenicity Case-studies Chemical-properties Chlorides Chlorinated Solvent Confined-spaces Confined Space Employee-exposure Fatality Hazardous-materials Intoxication Methanes Methyl-compounds Methylene Chloride Morbidity-rates Mortality-rates Paint-removers Paints Paint Stripper Regulations Toxic-materials Workplace-studies

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement ; Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  California ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  56
• Issue:
  8
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20042969
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2013 Aug; 56(8):907-910
• Contact Point Address:
  Dennis Shusterman, MD, MPH, California Department of Public Health, Occupational Health Branch, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Building P, 3rd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804-6403
• Email:
  dshuster@cdph.ca.gov
• CAS Registry Number:
  Dichloromethane (CAS RN 75-09-2)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• Performing Organization:
  Public Health Institute
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19910930
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20060831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:215a5ebb11498ea085438a343eea132daacac94badf5aca5fca4afeb125f5ee16e512bf4e75e800f632dc2361bb00bdbcf4531964b4da69199b517fb6b59b769
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/195014/cdc_195014_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 171.59 KB ]