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Lowe’s has committed to stop selling paint solvents containing chemicals linked to “dozens of accidental deaths,” The New York Times reports.
The company announced May 29 that, by the end of 2018, it would no longer sell paint strippers with methylene chloride and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP).
Lowe’s already sells paint removal products that do not contain the chemicals, and “has plans to bring more options to consumers by year-end,” the company says.
Current product brands containing the chemicals include Klean Strip and Goof Off, according to The New York Times.
The U.S. Environment Protection Agency proposed to prohibit the use of methylene chloride in paint removers in 2017, but has not finalized a ban.
“We care deeply about the health and safety of our customers, and great progress is being made in the development of safer and more effective alternatives,” says Mike McDermott, Lowe’s chief customer officer. “As a home improvement leader, we recognize the need for viable paint removal products and remain committed to working closely with suppliers to further innovate in this category.”
Lowe’s is headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, and had $68.6 billion in sales in 2017. The company operates more than 2,100 home improvement and hardware stores in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
