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Hardware stores react to petition against toxic paint stripper

Watertown Daily Times - 8/7/2018

Aug. 07--In response to a petition resulting from a tragedy last fall, some hardware stores are considering a ban on the sale of paint stripper products containing the deadly chemical methylene chloride. Some, such as Lowe's, have already decided to phase out such products.

Since 1980, the chemical has killed 64 people in the United States, according to the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition, a program behind the movement to ban the product in the U.S.

Following the death of Drew Wynne in Charleston, S.C., in October 2017, his parents, Cindy and Hal Wynne, partnered with Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families to petition for the removal of products containing methylene chloride and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP), another dangerous chemical compound, from shelves.

Drew had been refinishing the floor of the walk-in refrigerator of his coffee business when he was overcome by the dangerous fumes and later died. This tragedy is not uncommon when paint stripper is being used in poorly ventilated areas; dozens have passed away stripping paint from bathtubs and things of the like.

The movement has already succeeded in spurring action at Lowe's, Sherwin Williams and Home Depot.

Lowe's announced May 29 it would be phasing out the methylene chloride products by the end of this year. Mike McDermott, the chief customer officer for Lowe's, said in a media release, "We care deeply about the health and safety of our customers, and great progress is being made in the development of safer and more effective alternatives."

Beth Kemler is the mobilization director at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. She is encouraged by the companies who have pledged to rid the products, and looks forward to more companies continuing that trend. Ace Hardware and Walmart are the next targets of the movement to get rid of the paint stripper chemical.

"There have been more than 60 deaths, and we think that's more than 60 people too many," she said. "There has been knowledge that these products were dangerously toxic since the '40s, yet still people are dying because of them."

The powerful fumes can also cause fainting, liver toxicity, heart disease, heart attacks, liver cancer and lung cancer.

During the final day of the Obama Administration, the United States Environmental Protection Agency proposed the ban, but it has since languished.

"We have to pick up the slack from the government to keep consumers safe. Retailers have an important opportunity to protect their customers by getting these products off the shelves," Ms. Kemler said.

Joe Sacchetti has been the paint specialist at the Watertown Lowe's for 15 years. He says people inquire about paint strippers every day, and he imagines customers will be surprised by the ban.

"We do sell a user-friendly version that's a citrus strip, which is not quite as bad, but it's still not good for you," he said.

The alternative products that will replace the methylene chloride paint strippers will be less effective than the current caustic product, but will be better for health.

"Well, there's a lot of things out there that are not good for your health," Mr. Sacchetti said. "Like naval jelly, a rust remover. That'll eat you right up."

The general manager of Aubuchon hardware in Carthage, Scott Sullivan, agrees there are many dangerous home improvement products and methods used across the nation.

"It (paint stripper) is still better than sanding it off, you'll inhale all sorts of dangerous particles," Mr. Sullivan said. "There are a ton of safe alternatives, though."

Aubuchon Hardware is not a target of the movement to ban the products yet, but may be in the future. For now, Mr. Sullivan says the company will continue to sell the product.

"If you follow the directions and use it correctly, it's not as big an issue," he said.

Precautionary measures include wearing gloves, a mask and goggles, not using more than needed, and using it outside or in an area with plenty of ventilation.

Jeff Steele, owner of Steele's Ace Home Center in Lowville, agrees with the motion to ban the hazardous product. Although it hasn't been implemented in his Ace Hardware yet, he foresees it coming within the year and would "certainly consider pulling them from the shelf" before then.

"American families shouldn't be losing loved ones because of stripping paint, an activity that should not be risky," Ms. Kemler said.

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