Workers can use more types of respirators when handling methylene chloride

The US Labor Department is changing its rules for respirators used with methylene chloride. This means workers can now use a wider range of safety masks that meet current general safety standards.

For decades, specific rules for handling chemicals like methylene chloride often lagged behind general safety improvements. This change updates one of those specific rules, allowing companies to use modern, more effective respiratory protection. It also makes it easier for employers to comply with safety standards without needing to buy very specific, sometimes outdated, equipment.