Dear John,
When chemicals endanger public health we need federal agencies to step in and safeguard our communities. That’s where we find ourselves now. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a ban on a deadly, yet all too common, chemical that we see on store shelves and workplaces across the country.
Methylene chloride is an industrial solvent that is commonly used in paint and coating removers, as well as in many everyday products like automotive cleaners, adhesives and degreasers.
Inhaling vapors can cause serious harm to the central nervous system and even death. Longer-term exposure can lead to liver toxicity, liver cancer and even lung cancer. Simply put, it’s an unacceptable risk. That’s why we have long supported efforts to ban this deadly chemical under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)!
Show your support for stronger critical chemical safety rules by submitting a public comment to the EPA, today!
If enacted, EPA’s proposed ban would rapidly phase down manufacturing, processing and distribution of this deadly chemical for all consumer uses and most industrial and commercial uses. A feat that could be fully implemented in 15 months! That means fewer products on shelves that can endanger your health.
The proposed ban builds off a 2019 EPA rule that enacted a limited ban on methylene chloride in paint strippers for consumer uses. The agency took that step thanks to the courageous efforts of families that have lost loved ones who were exposed to these products, leadership shown by major retailers who pulled products from their shelves, and pressure from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and advocacy organizations, like EDF.
However, this rule was severely limited because the Trump Administration scaled back the original proposal and allowed continued use of these deadly products in workplaces – despite knowing that the majority of methylene chloride paint stripping deaths occur occupationally. But now we have a chance to fix that. EPA’s proposed ban is a good start, but it’s still slow to close exemptions in the workplace. Which is why we need your help to ensure EPA hears our concerns about that, too!
Support the EPA’s latest effort to protect our communities from deadly chemicals. Take action and submit a public comment urging EPA to strengthen and finalize their ban on methylene chloride!
Thank you for your support,
Wes Rogerson
Manager, Grassroots Organizing & Activism |
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