(AGENPARL) – mar 30 aprile 2024 Issued: Apr 30, 2024 (9:00am EDT)
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Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Ban on Most Uses of Methylene Chloride,
Protecting Workers and Communities from Fatal Exposure
Rule requires stronger worker safety requirements for remaining industrial
uses
WASHINGTON – Today, April 30, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
finalized a ban on most uses of methylene chloride, a dangerous chemical
known to cause liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, cancer
of the blood, and cancer of the central nervous system, as well as
neurotoxicity, liver harm and even death. Ending most uses of methylene
chloride will save lives and complements President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot,
a whole-of-government initiative to end cancer as we know it.
EPA’s final action, also known as a risk management rule under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA), will protect people from health risks while
allowing key uses to continue safely with a robust new worker protection
program. This is the second risk management rule to be finalized using the
process created by the 2016 TSCA amendments.
“Exposure to methylene chloride has devastated families across this country
for too long, including some who saw loved ones go to work and never come
home,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA’s final action
brings an end to unsafe methylene chloride practices and implements the
strongest worker protections possible for the few remaining industrial uses,
ensuring no one in this country is put in harm’s way by this dangerous
chemical.”
“The USW applauds EPA’s final rule banning certain uses of methylene
chloride and lowering allowable workplace exposure levels. More than 100,000
workers die from occupational disease each year, including those sickened by
harmful chemical exposures. Our union fought for the updated Toxic Substances
Control Act so that we could ensure that worker exposures to harmful
substances like methylene chloride are appropriately assessed and regulated at
harmful levels. Now, thanks to the current administration, workers are safer
and better protected,” said David McCall, International President, United
Steelworkers.
“Today’s announcement to ban most commercial uses of the toxic chemical
methylene chloride in paint strippers is a significant step to protect more
workers from this deadly chemical,” said Sarah Vogel, Senior Vice President
for Healthy Communities at Environmental Defense Fund. “We are honored to
stand beside the Hartley family, who has bravely shared their story to
encourage this long overdue action that will save lives.”
Methylene chloride is used by consumers for aerosol degreasing and paint and
coating brush cleaners, in commercial applications such as adhesives and
sealants, and in industrial settings for making other chemicals. For example,
methylene chloride is used in the production of more climate-friendly
refrigerant chemicals.
“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,” said Wendy Hartley,
mother of Kevin Hartley, who died from methylene chloride poisoning.
Since 1980, at least 88 people have died from acute exposure to methylene
chloride, largely workers engaged in bathtub refinishing or other paint
stripping, even, in some cases, while fully trained and equipped with personal
protective equipment. While EPA banned one consumer use of methylene chloride
in 2019, use of the chemical has remained widespread and continues to pose
significant and sometimes fatal danger to workers. EPA’s final risk
management rule requires companies to rapidly phase down manufacturing,
processing and distribution of methylene chloride for all consumer uses and
most industrial and commercial uses, including its use in home renovations.
Consumer use will be phased out within a year, and most industrial and