Solvent‐based paint and varnish removers: a focused toxicologic review of existing and alternative constituents

Abstract

Paint and varnish removers constitute a major potential source of organic solvent exposure to contractors and home improvement enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the leading paint remover formulations have traditionally contained, as major ingredients, chemicals classified as probable human carcinogens (eg, methylene chloride) or reproductive toxicants (eg, N‐methylpyrrolidone). In addition, because of its unique toxicology (ie, hepatic conversion to carbon monoxide compounding generic solvent narcosis and arrythmogenesis), high volatility, and rigorous requirements for personal protective equipment, methylene chloride exposures from paint removers have been linked to numerous deaths involving both occupational and consumer usage. The aim of this review is to summarize the known toxicology of solvent‐based paint remover constituents (including those found in substitute formulations) in order to provide health risk information to regulators, chemical formulators, and end‐users of this class of products, and to highlight any data gaps that may exist.

Genome-Wide Transcription Start Sites Mapping in Methylorubrum Grown with Dichloromethane and Methanol

“…Similar numbers of detected TSS were found for other bacteria [40], including Proteobacteria with a similar-sized genome [41]. (74%) (51%) (64%) 1 For each biological replicate, percentage of aligned reads per total number of read. TSSs were categorised into gene TSS (also called primary TSS), antisense TSS, internal TSS, and orphan TSS with a distribution shown in Figure 2.…”

“…DCM (CH 2 Cl 2 ) is a chlorine-containing one-carbon compound massively produced as a solvent feedstock for industrial synthesis of other chemicals, and for other applications such as varnish and paint removal [ 1 ]. According to the classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS), DCM is possibly carcinogenic to humans [ 1 ]. DCM also contributes to ozone layer depletion, like other human-produced chlorocarbons [ 2 ].…”

Late-stage primary renal angiosarcoma: an extremely rare cancer complicated by COVID-19 post-operatively

“…This patient was significantly younger than this range at diagnosis and survived just over 6 months after presentation. Although he did not have any of the classic exposures associated with AS, he did have other concerning occupational exposures [ 6 ].…”

Assessment of Methylene Chloride–Related Fatalities in the United States, 1980-2018

“…The most serious acute effect of methylene chloride is narcosis, ranging from light-headedness, nausea, and headache to respiratory depression and death . Methylene chloride can also sensitize the myocardium to arrhythmias, a particular risk for people with cardiovascular disease .…”

“…The most serious acute effect of methylene chloride is narcosis, ranging from light-headedness, nausea, and headache to respiratory depression and death. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Methylene chloride can also sensitize the myocardium to arrhythmias, a particular risk for people with cardiovascular disease. 5,16,17 Other acute effects include skin burns from contact, corneal damage due to ocular splashes, and indirect consequences of narcosis (eg, falls or other trauma).…”