Methylene chloride irritates skin that comes in contact. When inhaled, it mimics carbon monoxide toxicity. Memory loss and liver and kidney damage are reported with chronic exposure. Methylene chloride is a known animal carcinogen and a suspected human carcinogen. When heated, methylene chloride emits a highly toxic phosgene gas (nerve gas). The use of products containing methylene chloride by people with heart conditions has resulted in fatal heart attacks.