Fecha de publicación: 23/12/2024 Fuente: Citrus Byproducts Extraction Abstract
Methylene chloride (MC) or dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), a synthetic volatile and carcinogenic compound, is mostly utilized in industries as a solvent for metal cleaning, paint stripping, degreasing and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Exposure to MC mainly occurs through chemical fume inhalation, accidental ingestion, or leakage on the skin. Acute exposure to MC may cause headaches, vomiting, nausea, and dizziness, whereas chronic exposure may lead to carcinogenesis and death. It is quickly absorbed through the stomach and lungs and further dispersed among all the body tissues. Then, it is metabolized by glutathione-dependent and mixed-function oxidase pathways and finally eliminated from the body through expiration. Chemical biotransformation of MC primarily takes place in the liver, in which chemically reactive and stable metabolites are formed via two processes, namely, oxidation by microsomal cytochrome P-450 and conjugation by GST. It causes numerous toxic effects on humans as well as experimental animal models. Therefore, future research on the development of techniques for its proper disposal and treatment is needed. In this review, a clear explanation on various routes to MC exposure, its different kinds of toxic effects, mechanisms of toxicity, intoxication, preventive measures and alternatives to MC for its replacement in laboratories or commercial setups have been discussed.

Graphical Abstract