3 weeks ago
EPA bans user usage of methylene chloride
The Environmental Protection Agency is banning astir uses of a toxic chemic often utilized to refinish furnishings and bathtubs that has been linked to dozens of deaths since 1980.
The agency announced a norm Tuesday that will limit each user uses of methylene chloride, arsenic good arsenic astir business and commercialized uses. Exempted uses see those "highly industrialized and important to nationalist information and nan economy," specified arsenic climate-friendly coolants and parts for electrical vehicles, according to nan EPA.
The EPA is restricting usage of methylene chloride astir six years aft a CBS News investigation prompted 3 awesome retailers — Home Depot, Lowe's and Sherwin-Williams — to work together to pull products pinch nan chemic disconnected their shelves by nan extremity of 2018.
Methylene chloride is known to origin a scope of cancers, arsenic good arsenic neurotoxicity and liver damage, while nonstop vulnerability tin lead to death, according to nan EPA. At slightest 88 group person died from acute vulnerability to methylene chloride since 1980, astir of them who were refinishing bathtubs aliases stripping paint, nan agency said. The fatalities included trained workers who were equipped pinch individual protection equipment.
"Exposure to methylene chloride has devastated families crossed this state for excessively long, including immoderate who saw loved ones spell to activity and ne'er travel home," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said successful a statement. "EPA's last action brings an extremity to unsafe methylene chloride practices and implements nan strongest worker protections imaginable for nan fewer remaining business uses, ensuring nary 1 successful this state is put successful harm's measurement by this vulnerable chemical."
The sweeping restrictions travel a twelvemonth aft nan EPA projected nan ban, citing nan known and perchance deadly wellness risks of methylene chloride, which is besides utilized to make pharmaceuticals and refrigerants. It besides follows nan EPA's move earlier this period to limit alleged "forever chemicals" successful pat water.
Kate Gibson
Kate Gibson is simply a newsman for CBS MoneyWatch successful New York.
