Thursday, January 4, 2018

Chemical Watch List: The Fight For Safer Consumer Products Is On!



The Environmental Protection Agency will indefinitely postpone bans on certain uses of three toxic chemicals found in consumer products, according to an update of the Trump administration’s regulatory plans. E.P.A. Administrator Scott Pruitt is “blatantly ignoring Congress’s clear directive to the agency to better protect the health and safety of millions of Americans by more effectively regulating some of the most dangerous chemicals known to man,” said Senator Tom Carper, Democrat of Delaware and the ranking minority member on the Senate Environment and Public Works committee. The proposed bans targeted methylene chloride and N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), ingredients in paint strippers, and trichloroethylene (TCE), used as a spot cleaner in dry-cleaning and as a degreasing agent.

Public health experts had been pushing for faster review of methylene chloride-based paint strippers after several deaths from inhalation, among them Kevin Hartley a young man who died at the age of 21 while working with a product that contains methylene chloride. Kevin’s story, powerfully relayed by his mother Wendy, illustrates the need to ban high-risk uses of this chemical. Follow this link to hear her account of the incident Wendy Hartley's Story

The state of California has taken matters into their owns hands when it comes to the use and regulation of methylene chloride in consumer products. The California's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has proposed regulations to name paint strippers containing methylene chloride a "priority product". The move comes under the state's Safer Consumer Products (SCP) programme and is the next step in a process that could lead to the products being restricted or banned in California. The agency said it will accept written comments until 18 January, and will hold a public hearing on 8 January (Just days away). Once the regulation is finalized, manufacturers of such products sold in the state will have 60 days to register with the department and begin an analysis to determine if a safer alternative is possible.


The only safe alternatives we trust is strippers and removers from EZ Strip! They use water technology that changes the way paint strippers work so they don't release harmful toxic fumes into the air, or have toxic chemicals that can be absorbed by the skin. Safe consumer removal products is the only way companies should be doing business. The health and safety of people should always be first for more info on safe removal options visit EZstrip.ca