Latest Solvent Rule Proposes Multiple Protections for People

The EPA plans to propose on Tuesday multiple ways of restricting n-methylpyrrolidone, because the agency says there’s too great a chance for the solvent to harm fertility and cause miscarriages following too high exposures.

The amount of n-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) that could be in consumer products such as adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, paint removers, lubricants, degreasers, and cleaners would be restricted to 45% under the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule. Containers also would have labeling requirements and size limits to avoid their use by commercial workers.

The EPA’s rule would ban the commercial use of NMP in automotive care ...