The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday banned most uses of the solvent methylene chloride, a cancer-causing chemical linked to at least 88 deaths since 1980.
The chemical is in aerosol degreasing spray, paint and coating brush cleaners, refrigerants, sealants, and adhesives.
The usage has led to a bevy of health problems, including cancer of the nervous system, blood, liver, lungs, breast and brain, according to the EPA.
Death caused by methylene chloride has primarily affected workers refinishing bathtubs, even while wearing protective gear, the EPA said.
“My son, Kevin, died in 2017 from methylene chloride exposure from refinishing a bathtub at work. I am pleased that the EPA is finally taking action and banning methylene chloride as a commercial bathtub stripper. This is a huge step that will protect vulnerable workers,” Wendy Hartley said in the EPA release.
Companies are now required to phase down and phase out the manufacture and distribution of the chemical for all consumer uses and most commercial and industrial purposes, including in home renovation.
The EPA specified some carve-outs in the ban, allowing for methylene chloride in key industries where safety measures can ensure the health risk is mitigated.
NASA, the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration will continue to use the solvent with workplace regulations unspecified by the EPA.
The chemical manufacturing industry says the EPA’s ruling is faulty.
“ACC continues to be disappointed with EPA’s approach to establishing occupational exposure limits. EPA’s underlying methodology to derive occupational exposure limits remains flawed and out of step with how occupational exposure limits are established globally,” the American Chemical Council, a trade association representing more than 190 companies, said in a release.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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