EPA Bans Consumer Use of Toxic Chemical Widely Used as Paint Stripper but Known to Cause Cancer

EPA Bans Consumer Use of Toxic Chemical Widely Used as Paint Stripper but Known to Cause Cancer
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan speaks during an event at Howard University in Washington on April 25, 2024. Kevin Wolf/AP Photo
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WASHINGTON—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Tuesday it has finalized a ban on consumer uses of methylene chloride, a chemical that is widely used as a paint stripper but is known to cause liver cancer and other health problems.

The EPA said its action will protect Americans from health risks while allowing certain commercial uses to continue with robust worker protections.