Dichloromethane toxicity - Revision history

Rossdonaldson1: /* Clinical Features */

2025-11-26T19:06:37Z

Clinical Features

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:06, 26 November 2025
Line 21:		Line 21:
	==Clinical Features==		==Clinical Features==
	*CNS		*CNS
	**CNS depression, headache, drowsiness, lightheadedness, slurred speech, decreased alertness, slowed reaction times, irritability, impaired gait, and stupor		**[[CNS depression]], [[headache]], drowsiness, lightheadedness, slurred speech, decreased alertness, slowed reaction times, irritability, impaired gait, and stupor
	**Rapid loss of consciousness, coma, seizures, and death have been reported.		**Rapid [[loss of consciousness]], [[coma]], [[seizures]], and [[death]] have been reported.

	*Metabolic		*Metabolic
	**Methylene chloride is metabolized to carbon monoxide, causing elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels. Carboxyhemoglobin levels may continue to rise for several hours after exposure.		**Methylene chloride is metabolized to [[carbon monoxide]], causing elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels. Carboxyhemoglobin levels may continue to rise for several hours after exposure.
	**The fetus is particularly vulnerable to poisoning with carbon monoxide.		**The fetus is particularly vulnerable to poisoning with [[carbon monoxide]].

	*Cardiovascular		*Cardiovascular
	**~~Electrocardiographic~~ changes resembling those of carbon monoxide poisoning.		**[[ECG]] changes resembling those of carbon monoxide poisoning.
	**Angina, myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest associated with methylene chloride inhalation was reported in one patient		**Angina, [[myocardial infarction]], and [[cardiac arrest]] associated with methylene chloride inhalation was reported in one patient
	***No adverse cardiovascular effects from methylene chloride have been reported for occupationally exposed workers.		***No adverse cardiovascular effects from methylene chloride have been reported for occupationally exposed workers.

	*Respiratory		*Respiratory
	**Airway irritation, hydrocarbon pneumonitis, pulmonary edema.		**Airway irritation, hydrocarbon pneumonitis, [[pulmonary edema]].

	*Gastrointestinal		*Gastrointestinal
	**Nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding.		**[[Nausea]], [[vomiting]], gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding.

	*Dermal		*Dermal
	**Skin irritation and blistering.		**Skin irritation and blistering.
	**Prolonged dermal contact may result in second- and third-degree chemical burns.		**Prolonged dermal contact may result in second- and third-degree [[chemical burns]].

	*Ocular		*Ocular
	**Eye irritation and tearing. When splashed in the eye, methylene chloride can cause burning pain, keratitis, and iritis.		**Eye irritation and tearing. When splashed in the eye, methylene chloride can cause burning pain, [[keratitis]], and [[iritis]].

	==Differential Diagnosis==		==Differential Diagnosis==

Rossdonaldson1: Rossdonaldson1 moved page Dichloromethane methylene chloride toxicity to Dichloromethane toxicity

2025-11-26T19:04:35Z

Rossdonaldson1 moved page Dichloromethane methylene chloride toxicity to Dichloromethane toxicity

← Older revision	Revision as of 19:04, 26 November 2025
(No difference)

Rossdonaldson1 at 19:02, 26 November 2025

2025-11-26T19:02:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:02, 26 November 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	==Background==		==Background==
			[[File:Sample of dichloromethane.jpg\|thumb\|]]
	*Methylene chloride or dichloromethane (DCM) is a chlorinated organic solvent. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform-like, sweet odor.		*Methylene chloride or dichloromethane (DCM) is a chlorinated organic solvent. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform-like, sweet odor.
	*Used in a wide range of industrial and research settings.		*Used in a wide range of industrial and research settings.

Parkerw02: Created page with "==Background== Methylene chloride or dichloromethane (DCM) is a chlorinated organic solvent. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform-like, sweet odor. Used in a wide range of industrial and research settings. ===Routes of Exposure=== *Inhalation Methylene chloride vapor is absorbed readily from the lungs. The odor threshold is 250 ppm, which is 10 times higher than the OSHA PEL (25 ppm). **Olfactory fatigue may also occur at high concentrations...."

2025-11-16T20:28:39Z

Created page with "==Background== *Methylene chloride or dichloromethane (DCM) is a chlorinated organic solvent. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform-like, sweet odor. *Used in a wide range of industrial and research settings. ===Routes of Exposure=== *Inhalation **Methylene chloride vapor is absorbed readily from the lungs. **The odor threshold is 250 ppm, which is 10 times higher than the OSHA PEL (25 ppm). **Olfactory fatigue may also occur at high concentrations...."

New page

==Background==
*Methylene chloride or dichloromethane (DCM) is a chlorinated organic solvent. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform-like, sweet odor.
*Used in a wide range of industrial and research settings.

===Routes of Exposure===
*Inhalation
**Methylene chloride vapor is absorbed readily from the lungs.
**The odor threshold is 250 ppm, which is 10 times higher than the OSHA PEL (25 ppm).
**Olfactory fatigue may also occur at high concentrations.
**Methylene chloride is heavier than air and may cause asphyxiation in enclosed, poorly ventilated, or low-lying areas.

*Skin/Eye Contact
**Methylene chloride vapor can cause skin and eye irritation.
**Prolonged dermal contact may produce chemical burns.
**Methylene chloride is absorbed slowly through intact skin but not in quantities that cause acute systemic toxicity.

*Ingestion
**Acute toxic effects, including death, can result from ingestion.

==Clinical Features==
*CNS
**CNS depression, headache, drowsiness, lightheadedness, slurred speech, decreased alertness, slowed reaction times, irritability, impaired gait, and stupor
**Rapid loss of consciousness, coma, seizures, and death have been reported.

*Metabolic
**Methylene chloride is metabolized to carbon monoxide, causing elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels. Carboxyhemoglobin levels may continue to rise for several hours after exposure.
**The fetus is particularly vulnerable to poisoning with carbon monoxide.

*Cardiovascular
**Electrocardiographic changes resembling those of carbon monoxide poisoning.
**Angina, myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest associated with methylene chloride inhalation was reported in one patient
***No adverse cardiovascular effects from methylene chloride have been reported for occupationally exposed workers.

*Respiratory
**Airway irritation, hydrocarbon pneumonitis, pulmonary edema.

*Gastrointestinal
**Nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding.

*Dermal
**Skin irritation and blistering.
**Prolonged dermal contact may result in second- and third-degree chemical burns.

*Ocular
**Eye irritation and tearing. When splashed in the eye, methylene chloride can cause burning pain, keratitis, and iritis.

==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Drugs of abuse types}}

{{Toxic gas exposure DDX}}

==Evaluation==
===Workup===
*CBC
*CMP
*ECG
*Carboxyhemoglobin levels
**Carboxyhemoglobin levels of exposed patients rarely exceed 15% but may remain elevated for 1 to 2 days after exposure due to continual metabolic conversion of fat-stored methylene chloride.
*CXR: for significant inhalation exposures.

===Diagnosis===
*Clinical Diagnosis based on history of exposure and symptoms.
*Levels of methylene chloride in blood are not clinically useful; however, they may be used to qualitatively document exposure.

==Management==
*Oxygen therapy
**May consider Hyperbaric oxygen, it's use for DCM toxicity has not been studied.
*Supportive Care

==Disposition==
*Admit for symptoms or significant exposures.

==References==
*https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/MMG/MMGDetails.aspx?mmgid=230&toxid=42
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichloromethane
<references/>