Demand the EPA Ban Methylene Chloride in Paint Strippers!

  • by: Julie Rodriguez
  • recipient: Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency is currently considering a new rule that could ban or restrict methylene chloride, a common chemical found in paint stripping products available in hardware stores across the US.

While it's widely used in both industrial and household applications, consumer advocates argue that the risks -- which include the possibility of sudden, fatal heart attacks in otherwise healthy adults -- make it too dangerous to keep on store shelves.

The European Union agrees: in 2011, methylene chloride paint strippers were banned outright due to the potential adverse effects on workers. However, in the US, industry lobbyists have managed to keep these dangerous products on the shelves for decades.

The simple truth is that the normal precautions most people would take when using a harsh chemical in a home environment simply aren't enough. Several people have died even with windows and doors open to provide ventilation -- the fumes are so dangerous that in small spaces an exhaust fan is needed to prevent toxic buildup. One man succumbed even while wearing a respirator for protection, because the only way to avoid exposure is to use a completely separate air supply. None of these precautions are what most people have in mind when refinishing a bathtub or table in their garage.

While paint stripper labels do warn consumers to use the products only in ventilated areas, they certainly don't warn users that ordinary protective measures aren't enough. And while they do warn that exposure can lead to long-term risks like cancer, manufacturers aren't required to warn consumers about the risk of sudden heart attacks or suffocation caused by exposure to the fumes.

No one should die while repainting a table or bathtub at home. Sign this petition and demand that the EPA crack down on methylene chloride -- the EU has already pulled this dangerous chemical off the market. It's time we do the same.

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