Everyone,

Do remember that Methylene Chloride (as do the other similar compounds 
Methylene Iodide and Methylene Bromide) is metabolized in the liver and 
releases Carbon Monoxide which has sometimes caused poisoning.  However, 
their acute toxicity is usually due to the anesthetic properties of the 
parent compounds themselves.  Don't be fooled by nonsense about "cardiac 
sensitivity" as being some type of allergic reaction.  It happens in 
hydrocarbon-solvent overdosed abusers and dogs (who have a distinctly 
different cardiac conduction system much more sensitive to these 
effects) ONLY when the solvent is present in the circulation and 
exogenous epinephrine is given or during significant physical exertion 
(which releases endogenous catecholamines).

Suggested reading:

Hall AH, Rumack BH:  Methylene chloride exposure in furniture stripping 
shops:  Ventilation and respirator use practices.  J Occup Med 1990; 
32:33-37.


And I think Jerry's comments deserve serious consideration.  In the 
1950's they were still using methylene chloride as an obstetric 
anesthetic/analgesic in Germany.  There are things that might serve the 
same purpose and could be less hazardous.


Alan H. Hall, M.D.

President and Chief Medical Toxicologist

TCMTS, Inc.

Laramie, WY

and

Clinical Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics

UCHSC

Denver, CO


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ernie Lippert 
  To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU 
  Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 2:22 PM
  Subject: [DCHAS-L] FW: FW: [DCHAS-L] Safe Solvent for DMMP

  List,
  Perhaps this information will be of use.
  Regards,
  Ernie Lippert 

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Gerald Jones [mailto:Gerald.Jones**At_Symbol_Here**westpharma.com] 
  Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 2:55 PM
  To: Ernie Lippert
  Subject: Re: FW: [DCHAS-L] Safe Solvent for DMMP

  Ernie,

  methylene chloride has similar polarity and KSPs, but is less of a
  carcinogen than CHCL3.  Perhaps this would work.   I don't know how 
stable
  Dimethyl Methyl-Phosphonate (DMMP) is or how soluble.  It would be 
nice to
  get away from chlorinated solvents entirely and use some of the methyl 
or
  ethyl fatty acid esters, such a methyl octadecanoate or even ethyl 
benzoate.

  Jerry



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