New EPA Rules - Chemical Bans
In 2024, the EPA published new rules prohibiting most uses of Methylene Chloride (MC), Tetrachloroethylene, and Trichloroethylene (TCE). Although MC is still permitted in academic and research laboratories, users must comply with strict rules that require exposure monitoring (funded by the college/researcher), training, PPE, SOPs, and an Exposure Control Plan (ECP).
It is strongly recommended that academic and research labs eliminate or substitute MC because the added cost and difficulty of compliance will be a significant burden on colleges/researchers.
Minimum requirements for laboratory continued use of Methylene Chloride after May 5, 2025
- Lab Safety Institute Video on Substitutions for DCM
- Peptide Synthesis: 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) or Ethyl acetate
- Extractions or Chromatography: Ethyl acetate, Heptane, Toluene, 2-MeTHF, Methyl tert-butyl ether
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Methylene Chloride (DCM) Replacements from Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community
Chromatography Separations: Cyclopentyl methyl ether, or mixtures like dimethyl carbonate and methanol or ethyl acetate and isopropanol; can use reverse phase chromatography instead
Green Chromotography Solvent Mixtures: eluents and mixtures with heptanes, methyl tert-butyl ether, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and isopropanol for separations involving neutral, acidic, and basic compounds
Replacements in Reactions: Benzoflouride for Dess-Martin/Swern, Sakurai, Friedel-Crafts, and Diels-Alder reactions; 2-methyltetrahydrofuran for reductive amination; dimethyl carbonate for methylation and carbonylation reactions - Other alternatives identified, including non-lab use.
Below are some helpful compliance resources.
EPA Rule on Methylene Chloride
Laboratory Safety Institute Free Webinar on New EPA Rule for MC