A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive ...

..:::::::::: dichloromethane
..:::32
11 Dichloromethane
� Dichloromethane has main use as solvent, but
diffuse emissions from PVC production also
occurs.
� Possible human and confirmed animal carcinogen.
� There are no data on environmental distribution
in Norway.
� There is no need for further screening and
monitoring of dichloromethane.
Production and use
Dichloromethane is produced together with
methylchloride and chloroform. In Sweden its
use has been banned since 1996, but exceptions
are possible. In Norway it's been used as a solvent
in the pharmaceutical industry, for paint
stripping, for aerosols, for adhesives and for
other applications such as metal degreasing,
foam blowing (after the fluorocarbon ban),
chemical processing, secondary refrigerant medium
etc. It is also known to be used in certain
types of glues for PVC, as degreaser and paint
remover and in the production of polyurethane.
Volumes in Norway are unknown.
Emissions, discharges,
distribution and hot-spots
There have been diffuse emissions to air from
Hydro Polymers (PVC-production). Other emissions
are mainly through products. Dichloromethane
may be expected to leak from landfills.
Monitoring
There has been no screening or monitoring of
dichloromethane in Norway. There are no data
on environmental distribution in Norway.
Need for further screening and monitoring
The use in Norway is very limited and occurrence
in water is not considered to be a problem.
No further screening or monitoring is necessary.
Analysis
The analysis of dichloromethane is often part of
packages with several other volatile organic
compounds (VOC).
Methods
The methods are based on purge-and-trap, or
head-space analysis and separation and quantifi-
A study of the priority substances of the Water Framework Directive
TA-2140/2005
FACTS
Cas no.: 75-09-2
Synonyms: Diklormetan, methylene chloride, methylene
dichloride, aerothene, DCM, Freon 30, metandiklorid,
metylendiklorid, metylenklorid.
Properties: Colourless liquid, sweet odour like chloroform.
Toxic effects: Minimum observed effect level for
short-term inhalation exposure of dichloromethane
was approximately 690 mg/m3. Lethal dose for
humans (oral) is 25 ml while LD50 (rat oral) is
between 1600 and 3000 mg/kg body weight (WHO).
Dichloromethane is also a probable human carcinogen,
confirmed animal carcinogen and irritant to skin
on repeated contact. LC50 Daphnia magna = 224
mg/l/48 hour.
Log Kow: 1,3 (calculated)
Persistence: Volatile in soil and water (evaporation).
Half-life in air 50-119 days. Half-life in water 4 days.
Half-life in soil 7-107 days (CIRCA and HSDB)
Water solubility: 13,7 g/l at 20°C
Molecular formula: CH 2 Cl 2
Metabolites: Formaldehyde, and formic acid and
inorganic chloride (human).
cation with GC-based methods: GC/MS or
GC/ECD.
Synergy with other analyses
Sample preparation and quantification can be
co-ordinated with the analysis of other VOC
like compounds or other halogenated and nonhalogenated
solvents.
References
� CIRCA, Royal Haskoning: Fact sheets on
production, use and release of priority substances
in the WFD, Dichloromethane , Final
version 31 January 2001
� HSDB: Dichloromethane
� World Health Organization; Environmental
Health Criteria 32. METHYLENE CHLORIDE.
Geneva, Switzerland. 1984
� Direktoratet for arbeidstilsynet, 2000:
Grunnlag for fastsettelse av administrativ norm
for diklormetan