"7413c, 

U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY 
4330 EAST WEST 
BETHESDA, MD 20814

Melanie B. Bigger. Tel: 301?504-7858
Toxicologist Email: 
Consumer Product Safety Commission

Directorate for Health Sciences

Dr. Linda Rudolph, Ml), MPl-l

California l_)epartment of Public Health

Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

PO. Box 997377

MS 0508 

Sacramentoi CA 95899 

Dear Dr. Rudolph:

Thank you for your letter dated May 29: 2012 to Inez Tenenbaum, the Chairman of the US.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). I have been asked to respond. Please note that
the information in this letter is that of the CPSC staff. It has not been reviewed or approved by,
and may not necessarily reflect. the views ofthe Commission. CPSC staffappreciates and has

reviewed the information in your letter and additional information on the potential for acute
toxicity due to methylene chloride inhalation in enclosed spaces associated with consumer usage.

The Commission issued a Statement ofPolicy in 1987 concerning products containing methylene
chloride This Statement notified
manufacturers that provisions of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) require: 1) their
products be labeled to indicate that inhalation of methylene chloride vapor has produced cancer
in certain laboratory animals and speci?ed precautions be taken during use by consumers.
Precautions include providing ventilation if used indoors and not using the product in enclosed
areas. Also. a General Order (55 FR 32282) was issued requesting information from industry
regarding manufactured and/?or imported products that contain 1% or more of methylene
chloride. he CPSC staff worked with industry and determined the best way to inform
consumers ofthe hazards associated with methylene chloride-containing products was through
improved labeling. CPSC informed industry ofthe enforcement policy and labeling in a letter in
1995. Our Office of Compliance believes that the current label on consumer products meets the
requirements of the If you have any other questions regarding the labeling of products
that contain methylene chloride, please contact Mary Tore, Associate Executive Director in
Office of Compliance (301 504?7586).

To provide information to the public concerning this matter, CPSC has produced a paint stripper

pamphlet with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that details proper ventilation,
chemical?resistant glove usage, and also discusses the safety measures that should be taken to

CPSC Holline: (2772) CPSC's Web Site: litlp 

Dr. Linda Rudolph
Page 2

decrease exposure fan usage and outdoor application) to methylene chloride. The pamphlet
also discusses acute and chronic toxicity effects associated with methylene chloride exposure,
such as ocular, skin, and respiratory irritation, central nervous system effects. and organ damage;
however, this pamphlet does not currently address do~it~yourself(DIY) projects or use in
enclosed spaces. Therefore, staff, along with EPA, is revising the existing pamphlet to address
the increase in DIY projects, including bathtub refinishing and uses of paint strippers (including
methylene chloride) in other enclosed spaces. To view the current pamphlet, please go to:

http:// sc. go v! ub/ pubsf 423 

In addition, CPSC staff is aware that OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH) are developing a hazard alert that will address the health concerns regarding
the occupational use of methylene chloride in bathtub re?nishing in enclosed spaces with

reduced ventilation.

i hope this information helps to address some of your concerns. Please feel free to contact me if
you have any questions.

Sincerely,

. 
Melanie. B. Biggs,