EPA’s Methylene Chloride Double-Cross | DCReport.org

EPA’s Methylene Chloride Double-Cross | DCReport.org

EPA’s Methylene Chloride Double-Cross

As Confined Space readers know, the solvent Methylene Chloride has killed dozens of workers and consumers who used the material in enclosed spaces without realizing the extreme danger of the substance. MC is so hazardous that the Obama administration proposed to ban it. As might be expected, however, Trump’s EPA, under former administrator Scott Pruitt withdrew, the ban for further consideration, but after bi-partisan pressure from Congress and from the families of people killed by the solvent, Pruitt had second thoughts and last May committed to finalizing the ban. Meanwhile, numerous retailers, including LowesHome DepotWalMartSherwin WilliamsHome Hardware and True Value haven’t waited around and decided to stop selling the product as consumer and family groups have been urging.

Happy ending? Not so fast.  Scott Pruitt may be gone, but his spirit still haunts the EPA. On Dec. 18, EPA submitted a final Methylene Chloride rule to OMB for review, published last night on the OMB website. So far, so good.  And if you stop there,  you’re probably pleased.  But the same day, the agency submitted a separate “Pre-rule” announcement to OMB called “Methylene Chloride; Commercial Paint and Coating Removal Training, Certification and Limited Access Program ”

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