The EPA wants to broaden the ban on a deadly chemical on store shelves

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency originally banned the ingredient methylene chloride also known as dichloromethane from consumer use products in 2019. You could find this ingredient before the ban in common consumer products like automotive cleaners and paint strippers. These products can be easily bought without any extra measures taken by retailers to ensure their safe use, although they do include warning labels and usage information. This led to multiple consumer use injuries including severe skin burns, loss of consciousness, and in extreme cases even death. Sadly, at least 85 people have died from methylene chloride since 1980.

While the legislation initially focused on consumer use within the United States, other countries such as Canada took a similar approach at the retailer level by refusing to stock products containing methylene chloride on their shelves. This was done in order to safeguard their customers from potential harm. 

    Unfortunately, workers weren’t protected by the restrictions. 

    And the vast majority of injuries and deaths could be traced to methylene chloride exposure on the job. Now the EPA is proposing to ban most uses of methylene chloride — still with some on-the-job exceptions, but far fewer. The proposed rule would prohibit methylene chloride in all consumer products and most industrial and commercial uses. 

    Beyond the health concerns for consumers and workers, we are seeing a growing concern for the environment surrounding methylene chloride as well. Levels of methylene chloride appear to be rapidly

increasing in the stratosphere, threatening to delay the return to normal of the ozone layer. The ozone layer has been recovering slowly since the Montreal Protocol (1987) banned CFC gases. In 1987, an international agreement was signed to gradually eliminate CFC gases (used in refrigeration and aerosols), responsible for the famous “hole” in this gaseous layer. CFCs have thus been replaced by HFCs (which, however, help to warm the planet).

    Scientists have already expressed concerns about the impact of certain volatile compounds, such as methylene chloride. A recent study aims to assess the harm caused by this product. According to the research, the concentration of methylene chloride in the stratosphere has nearly doubled since 2004. Grant Allen, an atmospheric physicist at the University of Manchester, emphasized the urgency to take immediate action to prevent the release of this chemical into the atmosphere. He stated, "If we wish to preserve the progress made over the past three decades through commendable scientific and political efforts, which undoubtedly have saved numerous lives, we must act now."

Protect as many people as possible

     Liz Hitchcock, the director of Safer Chemicals Healthy Families and a member of Toxic-Free Future, has been tirelessly working for years to halt the harmful effects caused by methylene chloride. She enthusiastically welcomed the announcement of the proposed ban as a significant milestone. If implemented, the ban would prohibit the use of methylene chloride in various applications such as commercial and industrial vapor degreasing, adhesive removal, textile finishing products, liquid lubricants, hobby glue, and numerous other uses.

 

Photo courtesy of Lauren Atkins

    Joshua Atkins and his mother, Lauren, at a park in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2011. Joshua Atkins died in 2018 at 31 while refinishing his BMX bike with a product containing methylene chloride. 

    “Currently, an estimated 845,000 individuals are exposed to methylene chloride in the workplace,” the EPA said in a statement. “Under EPA’s proposal, less than 10,000 workers, protected from unreasonable risk via a required workplace chemical protection program, are expected to continue to use methylene chloride.”

What can you do?

    The EPA said it hopes the rule will take effect in August 2024. Federal rules must go through a set process to give the public a chance to influence the final outcome. If an agency receives a “Petition for Rulemaking” from a member of the public, it may decide to announce the petition in the Federal Register and accept public comments on the issue. An agency that is in the preliminary stages of rulemaking may publish an “Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” in the Federal Register to get more information. The Advance Notice is a formal invitation to participate in shaping the proposed rule and starts the notice‐and‐comment process in motion. Anyone interested (individuals and groups) may respond to the Advance Notice by submitting comments aimed at developing and improving the draft proposal or by recommending against issuing a rule.

    Methylene chloride can still be found in products on retail shelves as aerosol degreasers and brush cleaners for paints and coatings. Adhesives and sealants sold for commercial purposes use it.  And manufacturers tap it to make other chemicals. Making personal purchase decisions to use safer alternatives can keep this chemical out of your home and reduce your impact on the environment. One company that has been manufacturing safer methylene chloride-free paint stripping products for over a decade is Max Strip. Use your purchase power to reduce harmful chemicals like methylene chloride in your home!

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