The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday said it will follow through on an Obama-era proposal suggesting to ban toxic chemical found in paint strippers — leaving lawmakers, environmental groups and the families of victims cautiously optimistic.
Since taking office, Pruitt has been laser-focused on undoing environmental and safety rules proposed by former President Barack Obama’s administration. But the EPA’s announcement that it “intends to finalize” a proposed ban on methylene chloride would be the exception.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates EPA’s commitment to finalize the methylene chloride rule-making,” the EPA said in a statement.
The chemical, used by professional contractors and do-it-yourselfers to remove paint, has been linked to dozens of deaths, including 12 people who specialize in refinishing bathtubs between 2000 and 2011, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.
But advocates of the ban reserved full-throated cheers until the rule’s language is made public and submitted to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, which the EPA said will happen “shortly.”
Sarah Vogel, vice president for health at The Environmental Defense Fund, said the nonprofit advocacy group was “encouraged” by the EPA’s decision but urged the agency to move quickly to formally block the access to the chemical.
The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday said it will follow through on an Obama-era proposal suggesting to ban toxic chemical found in paint strippers — leaving lawmakers, environmental groups and the families of victims cautiously optimistic.
Since taking office, Pruitt has been laser-focused on undoing environmental and safety rules proposed by former President Barack Obama’s administration. But the EPA’s announcement that it “intends to finalize” a proposed ban on methylene chloride would be the exception.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates EPA’s commitment to finalize the methylene chloride rule-making,” the EPA said in a statement.
The chemical, used by professional contractors and do-it-yourselfers to remove paint, has been linked to dozens of deaths, including 12 people who specialize in refinishing bathtubs between 2000 and 2011, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.
But advocates of the ban reserved full-throated cheers until the rule’s language is made public and submitted to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, which the EPA said will happen “shortly.”
Sarah Vogel, vice president for health at The Environmental Defense Fund, said the nonprofit advocacy group was “encouraged” by the EPA’s decision but urged the agency to move quickly to formally block the access to the chemical.
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