{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000133","name":"Spray adhesive (aerosol multipurpose)","category":{"primary":"household","secondary":"adhesives","tags":["spray adhesive","aerosol","acetone","methylene chloride","flammable"]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"Aerosol multipurpose spray adhesive containing synthetic rubber/resin adhesive dissolved in volatile organic solvents (acetone, heptane, and in some formulations methylene chloride/dichloromethane). Propelled by butane/propane/dimethyl ether. Extremely flammable. Methylene chloride-containing formulations are the most hazardous — DCM is a probable carcinogen (IARC Group 2A) and causes acute cardiac arrhythmia deaths during confined-space use. DCM-containing paint strippers were banned by EPA for consumer use in 2019; spray adhesives with DCM remain available. High-VOC product with significant inhalation hazard.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.628,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.1,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"adult (user)","overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["Methylene chloride toxicity: cardiac arrhythmia deaths in confined spaces; IARC 2A carcinogen","Extreme flammability: acetone/heptane/propane mixture","High VOC exposure: concentrated organic solvent aerosol","Inhalant abuse potential"],"exposure_routes":"inhalation (primary), dermal"},"exposure":{"routes":["inhalation","dermal"],"contact_types":["inhalation","skin_incidental"],"users":["adult"],"duration":"acute","frequency":"periodic","scenarios":["Aerosol use in enclosed room — concentrated solvent vapor exposure","Extended project use (>30 minutes) in poorly ventilated craft room","DCM formulation use in confined space — cardiac arrhythmia risk"],"notes":"DCM-containing formulations are actively dangerous in confined spaces. Multiple worker and hobbyist deaths documented from DCM-containing products."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Methylene chloride (DCM) listed in ingredients","meaning":"Cardiac arrhythmia risk; probable carcinogen; banned in paint strippers for same reason","action":"Choose DCM-free formulation. Use only outdoors."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"Water-based or low-VOC spray adhesive","meaning":"Reduced solvent exposure; lower flammability","verification":"Check for GreenGuard or EPA Safer Choice certification"}],"what_to_ask":[],"alternatives":[{"name":"Water-based spray adhesive","notes":"No organic solvents; minimal VOC; non-flammable; adequate for most craft/office applications"},{"name":"Brush-on contact cement (heptane-based, no DCM)","notes":"Eliminates aerosol exposure; heptane is less toxic than DCM; still requires ventilation"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA DCM paint stripper ban","citation":"40 CFR 751","requirements":"DCM banned in consumer paint strippers (2019) but NOT in spray adhesives — regulatory gap.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":"2019","enforcing_agency":"EPA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":["Flammable warning","Ventilation requirements"],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":["Methylene chloride"],"endpoint":"cancer","notes":"DCM-containing formulations"},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":"DANGER","pictograms":["flame","health_hazard","exclamation_mark"],"hazard_statements":["Extremely flammable aerosol","May cause cancer (DCM)","Causes serious eye irritation"],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":"DCM banned in consumer paint strippers but NOT in spray adhesives","notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Aerosol hazardous waste","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"2-3_years"},"formulation":{"form":"aerosol_spray","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000310","name":"Acetone","role":"solvent","concentration_pct":"20-40"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Heptane","role":"co-solvent","concentration_pct":"10-25"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000036","name":"Methylene chloride (DCM) (some formulations)","role":"solvent","concentration_pct":"0-30"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Synthetic rubber/resin adhesive","role":"adhesive","concentration_pct":"10-20"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Propane/butane/DME propellant","role":"propellant","concentration_pct":"15-30"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000310","compound_name":"Acetone","role":"solvent","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000036","compound_name":"Methylene chloride (dichloromethane)","role":"solvent","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["spray adhesive","spray glue","aerosol adhesive","multipurpose spray adhesive"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-24"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA DCM paint stripper ban (40 CFR 751)","jurisdiction":"USA","year":2019,"citation":"40 CFR 751","id":"src_6c21f099"},{"id":"niosh_acetone_2019","type":"regulatory","title":"NIOSH Pocket Guide: Acetone — IDLH 2500 ppm; PEL 1000 ppm; CNS narcosis at high concentrations; nail salon occupational exposure; ketone body metabolism; non-carcinogen (2019)","year":2019,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000310"},{"id":"epa_acetone_exemption_2004","type":"regulatory","title":"EPA VOC Exemption Decision: Acetone — negligible photochemical reactivity; exempt from VOC regulations; consumer product safety; endogenous production; GRAS food additive status (2004)","year":2004,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000310"},{"id":"iarc_110_dcm","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 110: Dichloromethane, Tetrachloroethylene, and Some Other Chlorinated Agents","year":2017,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000036"},{"id":"epa_dcm_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS: Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) — Toxicological Review (Final)","year":2011,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000036"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_defdd418","extraction":"description_reference"},{"type":"monograph","title":"International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)","jurisdiction":"International","id":"src_d9ebbaf2","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-24","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:25:20.048Z"}}