Effective January 1, 2019: Paint or Varnish Strippers Containing Methylene Chloride

DTSC has been made aware that some manufacturers may be in violation of this regulation by continuing to sell paint or varnish strippers containing methylene chloride to commercial users in California. DTSC is in the process of investigating these potential violations. These manufacturers should be aware that DTSC’s regulation applies to ALL uses of the product. The sale of these products is now prohibited, including to commercial or industrial end users or businesses.

Effective January 1, 2019, DTSC adopted regulations to list paint or varnish strippers containing methylene chloride as a Priority Product. Manufacturers of this product were required to notify the Department by March 4, 2019 via CalSAFER (see final regulations text for full description of the Priority Product).

DTSC took this action to protect workers and consumers from exposure to methylene chloride that could occur during normal use of paint or varnish strippers containing this chemical. Inhalation and dermal exposure to methylene chloride is associated with adverse health effects, including:

• Cancer of the brain, liver, and biliary tract; Central nervous system depression; Intoxication; and Unconsciousness.

Numerous deaths have been reported in workers and consumers who were exposed to methylene chloride during use of paint or varnish strippers.

Using paint or varnish strippers containing methylene chloride produces measurable concentrations of methylene chloride in the breathing zone and any person involved in or near the application may experience inhalation exposure to methylene chloride, even when protective measures are used.

Related Documents & Links

• Technical Report
• DTSC Regulations web page for Paint Stripper with Methylene Chloride
• DTSC Statement Regarding U.S EPA Rule on Consumer Use of Paint removal Products Containing Methylene Chloride

Resources on Alternatives to Methylene Chloride

We would like manufacturers to consider the information in the following studies while preparing Final AA reports. However, please note that we do not endorse the results or conclusions of these studies, nor do we vet the alternatives presented in these studies as “safer alternatives.” These studies are not substantially equivalent to an SCP Alternatives Analysis and do not fulfill all the requirements of Article 5.

1. 1. Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) report: Assessment of Safer and Effective Alternatives to Methylene Chloride for Paint Stripping Products
   2. Pilot Study to support Alternatives Analysis: Evaluating Alternatives to Methylene Chloride in Paint Stripper from UCSB
   3. BizNGO report: Alternatives to Methylene Chloride in Paint and Varnish Strippers
   4. Army Research Lab Report: Performance Assessment of Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP)–Free Chemical Paint Strippers on Military
   5. Coatings for Validation to Federal Specification TT-R-2918A