EPA Bans Consumer Use of Methylene Chloride Paint Stripper

A retail ban on the sale of methylene chloride paint strippers takes effect Nov. 23, the EPA announced.

Methylene chloride is a potentially lethal chemical found in paint stripping products. It has been shown to release toxic fumes that can turn to carbon monoxide in the lungs.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule to prohibit the manufacture, processing, and distribution, as well as import of methylene chloride in consumer paint removers last March.

“EPA’s action keeps paint and coating removers that contain the chemical methylene chloride out of consumers’ hands,” EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a statement ...