What to Know About the Methylene Chloride Ban

In a March 15 decision, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the manufacturing and selling of paint and coating removal products that contain methylene chloride if the products are being sold for consumer use.

The rule takes effect May 28 and requires that manufacturers and sellers of consumer products containing the chemical stop making and distributing the paint strippers within about six months of the effective date, according to the EPA.

The EPA is restricting the use of methylene chloride because the chemical has been determined to be the cause of multiple deaths in the U.S.

“Acute (short-term) exposures to methylene chloride fumes can rapidly cause dizziness, loss of consciousness, and death due to nervous system depression,” the EPA reports. “People have died after being incapacitated during paint and coating removal with methylene chloride.”

Multiple home improvement companies, including Ace Hardware Corp. and Lowe’s, have already stopped selling paint strippers containing the chemical, though retailers have had access to consumer versions of the products through other channels.

Key Points of the Rule

• Retailers who sell consumer products that contain methylene chloride after the rule goes into effect will be violating the law and may face repercussions. “Knowing or willful violations could lead to the imposition of criminal penalties for each day of violation and imprisonment,” the EPA ruling states.
• Local and state governments have different rules about how to dispose of toxic chemicals. Retailers should confirm and follow local regulations for getting rid of the remaining products they have that contain methylene chloride.
• Retailers are not required to notify consumers of the hazards of using the existing methylene chloride paint strippers they already own.
• The law applies to all retailers, including e-commerce businesses, which sell to one or more consumers.
• The new rule does not apply to retailers who sell entirely to commercial users.

For more information, visit epa.gov.