Removing Paint Removers

Check your shelves!

In March of 2019 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule to prohibit the manufacturing, processing, and distributing of methylene chloride in all paint removers for consumer use. Many paint strippers contain methylene chloride at concentrations well over 60%. Unguarded exposure to methylene chloride can lead to nausea, nervous system disorders, cancer and in several dozen documented cases... death.

Although the rule does not go into effect until November of 2019, many home improvement stores are already removing products from the shelves.

Paint strippers containing methylene chloride may still be used in commercial or professional settings as long as proper training and personal protective equipment is provided.

But watch out!

Some methylene chloride alternative paint strippers contain N-Methylpyrrolidone (or NMP). NMP, which can be found in some citristrip paint strippers and ‘orange’ cleaners, is being evaluated by the EPA to determine if the chemical should be banned, allowed for professional use only, or have a cap put on the maximum concentration level allowed.

Have some?

If you happen to find any type of products made with this chemical in your home, they can be brought to the Brown County Hazardous Material Recovery Facility for disposal at 2561 S. Broadway in Green Bay at the following drop-off times: