Stringent regulations on dichloromethane are forcing US labs to rethink use of common solvent
By 
Rebecca Trager2026-04-29T13:30:00
As broad ban on DCM is finalised, US labs have either abandoned the chemical or readied themselves for exposure monitoring in November
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) broad ban on most industrial and commercial uses of dichloromethane (DCM) that has just come into force means more work and expense for many university chemistry departments.
DCM, also known as methylene chloride, is a solvent widely used in academic organic chemistry labs that was also commonly used as degreaser and paint stripper in the US. Exposure to the chemical was linked to dozens of deaths in the country between 1980 and 2024, primarily related to consumer and professional paint and coating removal. The EPA notes that DCM is neurotoxic and can cause heart and liver damage, as well as various cancers.