A new assessment of Methylene Chloride (a solvent widely used in paint strippers, cleaners, adhesives and sealants) related fatalities in the United States between 1980-2018 was recently published online with Jama Internal Medicine. Researchers and physicians from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and UC San Francisco have found that deaths of workers using Methylene Chloride paint strippers are much higher than originally reported.
Assessment Findings
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has acknowledged 53 fatalities connected to the chemical from 1980 to 2018. The new study identified 85 deaths over the same period, most of them occurring in occupational settings. The EPA banned consumer use of such products in 2019, but it still allows workers to use them. The study’s authors are urging the EPA to ban commercial uses.
The Facts
Although US regulatory policies have mandated product labeling and worker protections, fatalities continue to occur, with a greater proportion of recent deaths related to the use of paint-stripping products. What's also troubling is that from 1985 to 2017, the American Association of Poison Control Centers documented 37,201 nonfatal Methylene Chloride cases. Real prevention of Methylene Chloride related injuries and fatalities starts with the use of safer substitutes. Based on the facts it is clear hazard warnings and reliance on personal protective equipment have not been effective.
What Happened
OSHA does not have the authority to prohibit the use of substances or chemicals; the EPA has these authorities under the Toxic Substances Control Act. In 2017, the EPA found that Methylene Chloride paint strippers posed unreasonable risks and proposed (but never finalized) a rule to prohibit these products in consumer and most commercial/industrial uses. In 2019, the EPA issued a final rule prohibiting consumer sale of Methylene Chloride paint strippers by the end of 2019, but
the rule did not address commercial/industrial uses.
What Can You Do?
Support businesses providing safer alternatives to chemical paint stripping. Shop at retail stores that provide safer consumer and contractor removal products. Support companies developing safer removal technology and purchase their products. Source furniture refinishing services/companies working to reduce workplace hazards and environmental impact. The battle for safer work environments and consumer products is not over and we can all do our part!
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