As a result of a recent Environmental Protection Agency regulation, there is a complete ban on using methylene chloride in non-laboratory settings, particularly in products like paint strippers, adhesives, degreasers and paints. Methylene chloride use is still permitted in lab settings under new stringent guidelines to ensure safety.
Case Western Reserve University non-laboratory teams must dispose of methylene chloride through the university’s Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) hazardous waste disposal system. Lab personnel wishing to continue using methylene chloride under new guidelines should visit the department’s webpage for further details.