EPA bans most uses of methylene chloride, a toxic solvent

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday a ban on most uses of methylene chloride, a toxic solvent used in paint stripping that has been linked to at least 88 accidental deaths since 1980.

The final rule strengthens the Biden administration’s broader crackdown on a range of chemicals known to cause serious health effects despite their beneficial applications in everyday life. It will restrict all consumer uses of methylene chloride and most industrial and commercial applications, with some exceptions for the military and makers of climate-friendly coolants and electric vehicle parts.