Methylene Chloride (DCM): Regulatory Update and Campus Safety Requirements
On September 15, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated the
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2024 risk management rule for methylene chloride
(dichloromethane, DCM), including its Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP)
requirements.
DCM remains a volatile, toxic chemical and presents a cancer hazard. The court’s decision
does not change these hazards or the need to prevent inhalation and skin exposure.
At the University of Arkansas, DCM is classified as a Particularly Hazardous Substance,
and its use must still be approved by the Hazardous Substance Committee through the
PHS process, which includes ENHS review. Laboratory personnel must follow campus safety
requirements, including a lab-specific standard operating procedure (SOP), designated
use areas, training, and appropriate exposure controls.
The social and occupational diversity of the University of Arkansas community encompasses
a wide variety of scientific, technological, and industrial disciplines. The development
and transfer of the knowledge, technology, and skills generated from these disciplines
is the business of the University. The mission of the Office of Environmental Health
and Safety is to assist in making that transfer an orderly process that balances concern
for our environmental legacy, the safety of our work force, and service to our students.
The "Report an Incident or Near Miss" and "Safety Observation" buttons will redirect
you to SciShield, the campus safety compliance and reporting platform. Log in with
your complete UArk email and password. The reporting form should automatically open.
There is an option on the form to submit the form anonymously.
Campus visitors without UArk Emails can report incidents, injuries, near misses,
and safety observations by emailing enhs@uark.edu.
Safety training that is required based on research/work activities is available in
SciShield. If there is training you need that is not yet offered in SciShield, contact Karmen Boddie or call (479) 575-3537 for assistance.
