Methylene chloride causes cancer in laboratory animals. Methylene chloride evaporates quickly, and you can inhale it easily. Breathing high levels of methylene chloride over short periods can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, and lungs. It can also cause dizziness, headache, and lack of coordination. Your body changes some inhaled methylene chloride to carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide lowers the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
This can cause problems for people with heart, lung, or blood diseases who use methylene chloride paint strippers indoors without fresh air cross-ventilation. High exposures to methylene chloride for long periods can also cause liver and kidney damage. It is very important to reduce your exposure to methylene chloride vapors. It is very important to have a lot of fresh air when using methylene chloride products. Use methylene chloride paint strippers outdoors if possible.