Health risks of methylene chloride to trigger EPA regulation

Many people working with or near methylene chloride, a hazardous solvent, face too great a risk of neurological problems, the EPA concluded in a final analysis released last week.

A smaller number of workers also face too much risk of getting lung or liver tumors from the solvent, the Environmental Protection Agency said in its final conclusions about solvent’s risks.

The agency’s findings mean it must propose some type of regulation by June 19, 2021, to reduce the risks.

The regulations can include labeling requirements, reducing the percentage of the chemical contained in mixtures, banning some uses of the chemical, or…