Also known as: Methane, dichloro-, 4-01-00-00035, BRN 1730800, Caswell No. 568, EINECS 200-838-9 (+14 more)
INCI: DICHLOROMETHANE
Methylene Chloride (CAS 75-09-2) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as solvent and propellant in aerosol cosmetic products, particularly hair sprays. Reported NOAEL 55 mg/kg bw/day in rat (COSMOS_DB); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: prohibited; GHS signal word DANGER. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
US NotesCIR initially concluded safe for brief, discontinuous use only; FDA prohibition supersedes the CIR conclusion
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the
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Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Methylene Chloride.
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Toxicological Studies
9 study endpoints found for Methylene Chloride. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
Endpoint
Value
Route
Species
Study Type
Source
NOAEL
55 mg/kg bw/day
oral
rat
Carcinogenicity
COSMOS_DB
NOAEL
=0.2 mg/kg bw/day
oral: capsule
Dog
subchronic
EFSA_OpenFoodTox_EFSA_ReferencePoints.xlsx
NOAEL
=0.2 mg/kg bw/day
oral: capsule
Dog
subchronic
EFSA_OpenFoodTox_EFSA_ReferencePoints.xlsx
NOAEL
=12 mg/kg bw/day
oral: feed
Common pheasant
reproduction toxicity
EFSA_OpenFoodTox_EFSA_ReferencePoints.xlsx
NOAEL
=12 mg/kg bw/day
oral: feed
Common pheasant
reproduction toxicity
EFSA_OpenFoodTox_EFSA_ReferencePoints.xlsx
NOAEL
=166 mg/kg bw/day
oral
Rat
subchronic
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
NOAEL
=185 mg/kg bw/day
oral
Mouse
chronic
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
NOAEL
=209 mg/kg bw/day
oral
Rat
subchronic
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
NOAEL
=226 mg/kg bw/day
oral
Mouse
subchronic
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
DANGER
Pictograms
SkullToxicCancerHealth haz
Hazard Statements
Harmful if swallowed Fatal if inhaled Causes skin and eye irritation May cause drowsiness or dizziness Causes damage to central nervous system, blood, liver, the heart and lungs May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways Causes damage to the central nervous system through prolonged or repeated exposure if inhaled May cause cancer
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. If swallowed the substance may cause vomiting and could result in aspiration pneumonitis. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system, blood, liver, heart and lungs. Exposure could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. This may result in impaired functions. Exposure at high concentrations could cause lowering of consciousness and death. The effects may be delayed.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance may have effects on the central nervous system. This substance is probably carcinogenic to humans.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, by ingestion and through the skin.
Safety Opinions
Official safety assessments from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).
cirNumber
6, 1988
Verdict: unknown
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
10 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
Endpoint
Value
Species
Route
Duration
Source
cancer slope factor
=0.0035 (mg/kg-day)-1
Human
inhalation
chronic
Cal OEHHA
cancer slope factor
=0.014 (mg/kg-day)-1
Human
oral
chronic
Cal OEHHA
LEL
=451573 mg/m3
Human
inhalation
-
DOE Protective Action Criteria
LOAEL
=677.359 mg/m3
Human
inhalation
acute
TX TCEQ
NOAEL
=691.254 mg/m3
Rat
inhalation
chronic
TX TCEQ
OEL
=347.364 mg/m3
Human
inhalation
-
EU SCOEL
LOAEL
=677.359 mg/m3
Human
inhalation
acute
Cal OEHHA REL derivations
LOAEL
=138.945 mg/m3
Human
inhalation
-
Cal OEHHA REL derivations
MRL
=2.08418 mg/m3
Human
inhalation
-
ATSDR MRLs
MRL
=1.04209 mg/m3
Human
inhalation
-
ATSDR MRLs
IARC Carcinogenicity
International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) monograph evaluation.
IARC Group
2A
Volume
Sup 7, 71, 110
Evaluation Year
2014
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Warning
Pictograms
Health Hazard
Hazard Class and Category
Carc. 2
Hazard Statements
H351Suspected of causing cancer
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
Endocrine Disruptor Evidence (Expanded)
Cross-referenced EDC classifications, mechanism data, and dose-response evidence from EDLists, SIN List, and cosmetic-specific detail sources.
SuspectedEvidence: Limited(2022)
Health effects:Yes
Affected pathways:Thyroid, Estrogenic
Regulatory framework:REACH
Source list: II (former)
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100,000 - 1,000,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification:Restricted (Annex XVII)
EU CosIng Annex Listing
European Commission CosIng database Annex references per Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Annex II — Prohibited
Ref: 1389
(EU) 2019/831
CMR:Carcinogenic Cat. 2()
Expanded Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
SA Saudi SFDA (II - Prohibited)
ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (II)
Ref: A1138
JPKR Japan/Korea Cosmetics
Japan (Prohibited): Must not be used
Korea (Prohibited): Must not be used
Japan (Prohibited): ; Category: General
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
India: Prohibited (GNRAS)
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (4)
Jurisdiction
Status
Max %
Product Type
JP
banned
-
All cosmetics
CN
banned
-
-
BR
restricted
35
Only when mixed with 1,1,1-trichloroethane; 1,1,1-trichloroethane max 0.2% as impurity
ASEAN
banned
-
All cosmetic products prohibited
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (7)
Carcinogen Classification
2A, probably carcinogenic to humans. (L135)
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Carcinogen Classification
Dichloromethane (Methylene chloride) | Group 2A: Probably carcinogenic to humans | Volume Sup 7: Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity: An Updating of IARC Monographs Volumes 1 to 42, 1987; 440 pages; ISBN 92-832-1411-0 (out of print) | Volume 71: (1999) Re-evaluation of Some Organic Chemicals, Hydrazine and Hydrogen Peroxide (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) | Volume 110: (2017) Some Chemicals Used as So
Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Carcinogen Classification
Methylene Chloride | TR-306: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) (CASRN 75-09-2) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies) (1986 ) | 03/29/85 | Some Evidence | Clear Evidence | Clear Evidence | Clear Evidence | Under the conditions of these inhalation studies, there was some evidence of carcinogenicity of dichloromethane for male F344/N
Source: NTP Technical Reports
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
CLASSIFICATION: B2; probable human carcinogen. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION: Based on inadequate human data and sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals; increased incidence of hepatocellular neoplasms and alveolar/bronchiolar neoplasms in male and female mice, and increased incidence of benign mammary tumors in both sexes of rats, salivary gland sarcomas in male rats and leukemia in female r
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Endocrine Disruptors
Potential endocrine disrupting compound
Source: NORMAN Suspect List Exchange
Regulatory (1)
JECFA Evaluation
METHYLENE CHLORIDE | 1992 | Should be limited to current uses (as an extraction solvent for spice oleoresins and the decaffeination of coffee and tea, and for food additives in which previous specifications drawn up by the Committee included residues of dichloromethane) | TRS 828-JECFA 39/18 | FAS 18-JECFA 27/59 (1983)
Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Adhesion/cohesion promoterDyeFlavouring and nutrientSolvent
Regulatory List Membership (4)
California Proposition 65 (OEHHA)EU Banned in CosmeticsFDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Methylene Chloride.
Regulatory Flags
EU Restrictedprop65eu_banned_cosmeticsfda_food_additiveeu_cosing_listed
Methane, dichloro-4-01-00-00035BRN 1730800Caswell No. 568EINECS 200-838-9EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 042004Methylenum chloratumNCI-C50102RCRA waste number U080UNII-588X2YUY0AAerotheneBichloride, methyleneCH2Cl2Chloride, methyleneDCMDichloride, methyleneDichloro-MethaneDichloromethane, NFDichloromethane, acs
Chemical Function
SolventAdhesion/cohesion promoterFlavouring and nutrientDye
Regulatory Lists
air; Arts and crafts/Office supplies - fabric treatment and dye; detected; emissions; Europeair; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's productsair; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goodsair; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goodsdetected; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goodsOEHHA Proposition 65 (3/2019)OEHHA Proposition 65 (1/2023)banned; Europe; Personal careconsumer_product; detected; EuropeArts and crafts/Office supplies - fabric treatment and dye; detectedArts and crafts/Office supplies - fabric treatment and dye; detected; EuropeCEDIconsumer_product; detectedconsumer_product; Europe; nondetectair; detected; emissions; Personal careair; detected; emissions; Packaging (non-food contact)detected; drinking_water; MN Chemical Screeningdetected; drinking_water; MN Chemical Screening
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methylene Chloride safe in cosmetics?
Methylene Chloride has a safety rating of "POOR" in our database. EU status: prohibited. US status: prohibited. 9 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database. This ingredient has been reviewed by cir.
Is Methylene Chloride allowed in the EU?
Methylene Chloride EU regulatory status: prohibited. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Methylene Chloride do in cosmetics?
Methylene Chloride functions as: solvent and propellant in aerosol cosmetic products, particularly hair sprays. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 75-09-2.
What is the NOAEL for Methylene Chloride?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Methylene Chloride is 55 mg/kg bw/day based on a Carcinogenicity study via oral route in rat. A total of 9 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.
Is Methylene Chloride classified as hazardous under GHS?
Methylene Chloride carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Harmful if swallowed Fatal if inhaled Causes skin and eye irritation May cause drowsiness or dizziness Causes damage to central nervous system, blood, liver, the heart and lungs May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways Causes damage to the central nervous system through prolonged or repeated exposure if inhaled May cause cancer. This classification is based on the ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card and ECHA C&L inventory data. Note: GHS classification applies to the pure substance — at cosmetic use concentrations, hazard thresholds may not be met.
Is Methylene Chloride used outside cosmetics?
Methylene Chloride also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Methylene Chloride have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Methylene Chloride is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H302, H315, H319, H336, H341, H351, H373, H370).
Compliance Tools
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