Is Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) safe for babies and kids?
Very high risk for kidsInfants are vulnerable to Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.
What is dichloromethane (methylene chloride)?
The IUPAC name is dichloromethane.
Also known as: dichloromethane, Methylene chloride, Methylene dichloride, Methane, dichloro-.
- IUPAC name
- dichloromethane
- CAS number
- 75-09-2
- Molecular formula
- CH2Cl2
- Molecular weight
- 84.93 g/mol
- SMILES
- C(Cl)Cl
- PubChem CID
- 6344
Risk for babies
Very high riskInfants are vulnerable to Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.
Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentOccupational and household exposure to Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) during pregnancy is associated with developmental toxicity. Solvents readily cross the placenta and can cause fetal growth restriction.
No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.
Regulatory consensus
21 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Dichloromethane (methylene chloride). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 2017 | Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans) | Upgraded from Group 2B in IARC Monograph 110 (2017). Sufficient evidence in animals; limited evidence in humans (breast cancer, NHL). Metabolized by CYP2E1 to formaldehyde and CO; formaldehyde forms DNA adducts in target tissues. High-dose human liver and lung tumors in rodents. |
| US EPA | 2011 | likely to be carcinogenic to humans | EPA IRIS final assessment (2011). Primarily liver and lung cancer from oral and inhalation routes. Oral slope factor 0.002 per mg/kg-day; inhalation unit risk 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ per μg/m³. Metabolic saturation at high doses complicates low-dose extrapolation. |
| EPA CTX / NIOSH | — | potential occupational carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IRIS | — | Likely to be carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / NTP RoC | — | Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 2A - Probably carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / Health Canada | — | Group II: CEPA (probably carcinogenic to humans) | |
| EPA CTX / EPA OPP | — | Group B2 Probable Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 78 positive / 8 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 78 positive / 8 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye irritation - category 2A (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin irritation - category 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2A (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 2A (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 6.4A (Category 2A) (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 6.3A (Category 2) (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | skin irritation: in vivo: Severe Irritation (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA): Not likely to be sensitizing (score: low) |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter dichloromethane (methylene chloride)
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Dichloromethane (methylene chloride):
-
Water-based formulations where feasible
Trade-offs: Longer drying time. May not achieve same performance in all applications.Relative cost: 0.8-1.5×
-
Bio-based solvents (d-limonene, ethyl lactate)
Trade-offs: Higher cost. Flammability concerns with some bio-solvents.Relative cost: 2-5×
Frequently asked questions
Is dichloromethane (methylene chloride) safe for kids?
Infants are vulnerable to Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.
What products contain dichloromethane (methylene chloride)?
Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
What should I do if my child is exposed to dichloromethane (methylene chloride)?
Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.
Why do regulators disagree about dichloromethane (methylene chloride)?
Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) has been classified by 21 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / NIOSH, EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / NTP RoC, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) in the baby app
Look up products containing dichloromethane (methylene chloride), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (3)
- IARC Monographs Volume 110: Dichloromethane, Tetrachloroethylene, and Some Other Chlorinated Agents (2017) — regulatory
- US EPA IRIS: Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) — Toxicological Review (Final) (2011) — regulatory
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Methylene Chloride (2000) — report
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →