Substance profile
Dichloromethane
Dichloromethane is a colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant odor, like chloroform.
01 · Identification
What Dichloromethane is
Dichloromethane is a colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant odor, like chloroform. It boils at 39.8 °C, melts at -95 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
Dichloromethane identifiers and molecular data
Dichloromethane CAS number and EC number
Dichloromethane molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Dichloromethane
- methylene chloride
- DCM
- CH2Cl2
- MeCl2
- Aerothene Mm
- F 30
- F 30 (Chlorocarbon)
- Freon 30
- Hcc 30
- Metaclen
- Methane Dichloride
- Methylene Bichloride
- Methylene Dichloride
- Narkotil
- R 30
- Khladon 30
03 · GHS classification
Dichloromethane hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Dichloromethane pictograms and signal word
Dichloromethane hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carcinogenicity GHS chapter 3.6 | Category 2 | H351 | GHS08 |
Dichloromethane hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Dichloromethane. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Dichloromethane
Our own Dichloromethane safety data sheet walks through all sixteen sections of the published data. What it is not is the document an inspector asks for: an SDS is issued for a product by its supplier, so the sheet covering the grade actually standing in your store exists only in that supplier’s version. Collecting those and keeping them current as suppliers revise them is a separate job.
04 · Precautionary statements
Dichloromethane precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 4 precautionary statements to Dichloromethane. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Dichloromethane name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | дихлорометан метиленхлорид |
| Spanish español | Diclorometano cloruro de metileno |
| Czech čeština | dichlormethan methylenchlorid |
| Danish dansk | dichlormethan methylenchlorid |
| German Deutsch | Dichlormethan Methylenchlorid |
| Estonian eesti | diklorometaan metüleenkloriid |
| Greek ελληνικά | διχλωρομεθάνιο μεθυλοχλωρίδιο |
| English English | dichloromethane methylene chloride |
| French français | dichlorométhane chlorure de méthylène |
| Croatian hrvatski | diklormetan metilen klorid |
| Italian italiano | diclorometano cloruro di metilene |
| Latvian latviešu | dihlormetāns metilēnhlorīds |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | dichlormetanas metileno chloridas |
| Hungarian magyar | diklór-metán metilén-klorid |
| Maltese Malti | diklorometan klorur tal-metilen |
| Dutch Nederlands | dichloormethaan methyleenchloride |
| Polish polski | dichlorometan dichlorek metylenuchlorek metylenu |
| Portuguese português | diclorometano cloreto de metileno |
| Romanian română | diclorometan clorură de metilen |
| Slovak slovenčina | dichlórmetán metylénchlorid |
| Slovenian slovenščina | diklorometan metilen klorid |
| Finnish suomi | metyleenikloridi dikloorimetaani |
| Swedish svenska | diklormetan metylenklorid |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Dichloromethane GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Dichloromethane, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Warning
Dichloromethane
- Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Get medical advice/attention.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Dichloromethane in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Dichloromethane health hazards and exposure limits
Dichloromethane hazard summary
Methylene chloride is a colorless liquid with a mild, sweet odor. Another name for it is dichloromethane. Methylene chloride does not occur naturally in the environment.Methylene chloride is used as an industrial solvent and as a paint stripper. It may also be found in some aerosol and pesticide products and is used in the manufacture of photographic film.
Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Dichloromethane carcinogenicity classification
Under the conditions of these inhalation studies, there was some evidence of carcinogenicity of dichloromethane for male F344/N rats as shown by an increased incidence of benign neoplasms of the mammary gland. There was clear evidence of carcinogenicity of dichloromethane for female F344/N rats as shown by increased incidences of benign neoplasms of the mammary gland. There was clear evidence of carcinogenicity of dichloromethane for male and female B6C3F1 mice, as shown by increased incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar neoplasms and of hepatocellular neoplasms.
Source: US National Toxicology Program · TR-306: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) (CASRN 75-09-2) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies) (1986 )
Evaluation: There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of dichloromethane. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of dichloromethane. Overall evaluation: Dichloromethane is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Dichloromethane is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Dichloromethane occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 25.0 [ppm], STEL(OSHA) = 125 ppm | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 25 ppm [12.5 ppm Action Level] | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | 125 ppm | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | Ca See Appendix A | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 2300 ppm ; A potential occupational carcinogen. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 2300.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | NIOSH considers methylene chloride a potential occupational carcinogen. [2300 ppm] | Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Dichloromethane properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Dichloromethane boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 39.75 °C (103.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 40 °C (104 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 39.78 °C (103.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Dichloromethane melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -95 °C (-139 °F) | HSDB | |
| -96.72 °C (-142.1 °F) | CAMEO |
Dichloromethane density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.3255 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.33 g/cm³ | NIOSH | ||
| 1.322 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
Dichloromethane solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible with alcohol, ether, dimethylformamide | HSDB | |
| In water, 13,200 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 13,000 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Dichloromethane vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 350 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 435 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 440 mmHg | at 25 °C | CAMEO |
Dichloromethane autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 556.11 °C (1033 °F) | HSDB | |
| 640 °C (1184 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 605 °C (1121 °F) | ICSC |
Dichloromethane lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 13 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 15.5 % by volume | HSDB |
Dichloromethane upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 23 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 66.4 % by volume | HSDB |
Dichloromethane vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 2.93 (air = 1) | Air = 1.02 | HSDB |
| 2.93 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| 2.9 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Dichloromethane odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 205-307 ppm | HSDB | |
| 2.14x10+2 ppm (odor recognition in air; chemically pure sample) | HSDB | ||
| Odor thresholds: low= 540 mg/cu m; high= 2160 mg/cu m. | HSDB |
Dichloromethane critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 235.05 °C (455.1 °F) | HSDB |
Dichloromethane corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Liquid methylene chloride will attack some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Dichloromethane fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Dichloromethane fire potential
It is flammable in the range of 12-19% in air but ignition is difficult.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Dichloromethane storage and handling
Dichloromethane reactive group
CAMEO Chemicals places Dichloromethane in the reactive group Halogenated Organic Compounds. Compatibility with other chemicals is worked out from the group, not from the individual substance — which is why two substances you have never seen react can still be flagged as a pair that must be separated.
A reactive group is a CAMEO Chemicals (US NOAA) grouping, not a GHS hazard class: it has no code, no category and no legal force. It is what the storage compatibility matrix on this site computes from.
Dichloromethane safe storage
Separated from food and feedstuffs and incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers. Well closed. Cool. Ventilation along the floor.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Dichloromethane storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Heat sensitive. Store under inert gas.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Dichloromethane incompatible materials
Mixtures of /dinitrogen/ tetraoxide with ... dichloromethane ... are explosive when subjected to shock of 25 g TNT equiv or less.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Dichloromethane reactivity
DICHLOROMETHANE reacts vigorously with active metals such as lithium, sodium and potassium, and with strong bases such as potassium tert-butoxide. It is incompatible with strong oxidizers, strong caustics and chemically active metals such as aluminum or magnesium powders. The liquid will attack some forms of plastic, rubber and coatings. This compound reacts with sodium-potassium alloy, (potassium hydrogen + N-methyl-N-nitrosurea), nitrogen tetraoxide and liquid oxygen. It also reacts with titanium. On contact with water it corrodes iron, some stainless steels, copper and nickel. It is incompatible with alkali metals. It is incompatible with amines, zinc and alloys of aluminum, magnesium and zinc. This compound is liable to explode when mixed with dinitrogen pentaoxide or nitric acid. Mixtures of this compound in air with methanol vapor are flammable. (NTP, 1992)
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Dichloromethane in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Dichloromethane UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
Dichloromethane under UN 1593 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DICHLOROMETHANE | 6.1 | T1 | III | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 6.1 is “Toxic substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dichloromethane | 6.1 | III | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 6.1 is “Poisonous materials” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Dichloromethane — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Dichloromethane?
The CAS number of Dichloromethane is 75-09-2. Its EC number is 200-838-9.
What does a Dichloromethane label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Dichloromethane carries the pictogram Health hazard and the signal word is Warning.
Is Dichloromethane flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Dichloromethane no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it.
Is Dichloromethane a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI assigns Dichloromethane H351 — suspected of causing cancer. That is category 2: the evidence points that way but is not conclusive. IARC places it in Group 2A: probably carcinogenic to humans.
What is the exposure limit for Dichloromethane?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Dichloromethane is 25.0 [ppm], STEL(OSHA) = 125 ppm (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Dichloromethane?
The boiling point reported for Dichloromethane is 39.75 °C (103.6 °F), at 760 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Dichloromethane?
The melting point reported for Dichloromethane is -95 °C (-139 °F) (HSDB).
How should Dichloromethane be stored?
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Heat sensitive. Store under inert gas. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Dichloromethane
Keep going: substances starting with D, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.
Next