U.S. bans most makes use of of paint-stripping solvent after dozens of deaths

The Environmental Safety Company is banning most makes use of of a poisonous chemical typically used to refinish furnishings and bathtubs that has been linked to dozens of deaths since 1980.

The company introduced a rule Tuesday that may restrict all shopper makes use of of methylene chloride, in addition to most industrial and business makes use of. Exempted makes use of embrace these “extremely industrialized and essential to nationwide safety and the economic system,” comparable to climate-friendly coolants and elements for electrical automobiles, in accordance with the EPA.

The EPA is proscribing use of methylene chloride roughly six years after a CBS Information investigation prompted three main retailers — Dwelling Depot, Lowe’s and Sherwin-Williams — to comply with pull merchandise with the chemical off their cabinets by the tip of 2018. 

Methylene chloride is thought to trigger a variety of cancers, in addition to neurotoxicity and liver harm, whereas direct publicity can result in loss of life, in accordance with the EPA. Not less than 88 individuals have died from acute publicity to methylene chloride since 1980, most of them who had been refinishing bathtubs or stripping paint, the company stated. The fatalities included educated staff who had been outfitted with private safety tools.

“Publicity to methylene chloride has devastated households throughout this nation for too lengthy, together with some who noticed family members go to work and by no means come house,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan stated in an announcement. “EPA’s closing motion brings an finish to unsafe methylene chloride practices and implements the strongest employee protections attainable for the few remaining industrial makes use of, guaranteeing nobody on this nation is put in hurt’s approach by this harmful chemical.”

The sweeping restrictions come a 12 months after the EPA proposed the ban, citing the recognized and doubtlessly lethal well being dangers of methylene chloride, which can also be used to make prescription drugs and refrigerants. It additionally follows the EPA’s transfer earlier this month to restrict so-called “without end chemical compounds” in faucet water.