Dichloromethane Substitutes
Identify dichloromethane substitutes
Toxic Substances Control Act Chemicals
Summary
How to review Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requirements before working with chemicals in buildings, labs, and operations.
Who is this for?
All students, faculty, and staff who manage or work with chemicals.
Toxic Substances Control Act requirements
Everyone at Harvard who works with chemicals, including building, lab, and maintenance staff, must consider if TSCA regulations apply to their work.
The TSCA authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate and screen all chemicals produced or imported into the United States.
Buildings and labs must follow TSCA requirements for applicable chemicals, including:
- Imported or newly manufactured chemicals.
- Prohibited chemicals.
- Specific chemicals, including some chemicals that may be in hazardous household products like paint strippers, varnishes, and spray adhesives.
You must also follow TSCA requirements for how to use certain chemicals, including carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane (DCM or methylene chloride), perchloroethylene, and trichloroethylene.
Using dichloromethane
Before your group can start using DCM for lab work or solvent welding, someone in your group must contact your Lab Safety Advisor (LSA).
If your group uses or plans to use DCM:
Your Lab Safety Officer (LSO), Principal Investigator (PI), or designated personnel must create a group-specific DCM exposure control plan (ECP).
Most groups can use the general DCM ECP template. Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB) labs should contact the CCB Science Safety Officer.
- Everyone who uses or plans to use DCM must complete a short DCM user training.
The Harvard DCM Worker Chemical Protection Plan (WCPP) describes requirements for using DCM at Harvard, including hazard assessments, required controls, and safety and EPA compliance procedures.
Related resources
Find documents and online tools to manage TSCA chemicals.
Toxic Substances Control Act Chemical Domestic Shipment Form
Form to domestically ship Toxic Substances Control Act regulated chemicals
Toxic Substances Control Act Chemical Export Notification Form
Form to export Toxic Substances Control Act regulated chemicals
Toxic Substances Control Act Chemical Import Certification Form
Form to import Toxic Substances Control Act regulated chemicals
Toxic Substances Control Act Chemical Requirements
Manage and work with Toxic Substances Control Act regulated chemicals
EHS support
Contact EHS for more information about TSCA chemicals, including:
- TSCA fact-finding survey form.
- TSCA self-assessment form.