← Environmental Defense Fund
EPARulemakingEPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0465

Methylene Chloride; Rulemaking under TSCA section 6(a)

RIN
—
Last modified
Nov 13, 2025
Comment window
closed 397d ago
Environmental Defense Fund filings
2

Activity

Environmental Defense Fund filed 2 comments on this docket between Jun 30, 2023 and Jul 7, 2023. 54 other organizations filed here. The comment window closed 397d ago.

What Environmental Defense Fund filed (2)

Jul 7, 2023· Comment submitted by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)· EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0465-0270

Please see attached comments from Environmental Defense Fund on EPA's proposed TSCA risk management rule for methylene chloride.

Download attachment ↓View on regulations.gov →
Jun 30, 2023· Mass comment campaign sponsored by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) (web)· EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0465-0191

Dear EPA Administrator Michael Regan, As a constituent, concerned about the risks that chemicals pose to my health and the health of my community, I applaud your proposal to ban all consumer uses of methylene chloride and most commercial uses under TSCA's jurisdiction. I urge you to both strengthen and urgently finalize this rule in order to safeguard the health of Americans across the nation. Methylene chloride is a deadly — yet all too common — chemical that we see on store shelves as well as in workplaces and fenceline communities, across the country. It can be commonly found in aerosol degreasers, brush cleaners for paints and coatings, commercial adhesives and sealants, and other industrial products. Since 1980, there have been at least 85 deaths due to exposure to methylene chloride. Inhaling vapors can result in immediate and serious harm to the central nervous system and even death. Longer-term exposure can also lead to liver toxicity, liver cancer and lung cancer. Simply put, it's an unacceptable risk and should be banned in all TSCA uses. Your proposal will protect many people by banning all consumer uses and many factory uses across the country. However, it is critical that we take every measure to protect all communities from exposure — especially workplaces that would still be permitted to continue using methylene chloride and the families living nearby. The proposal includes exemptions for federal uses of paint and coating removers granted to federal agencies such as the: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense. Exempted uses account for 48% by volume of the methylene chloride uses under TSCA. The workers at these facilities, as well as the communities that surround them, are at risk of continued exposure. By setting stronger standards, with clear time limits for remaining exemptions, the U.S. will be better prepared to protect public health. Please take steps to strengthen the final version of your proposal and ban all TSCA uses of methylene chloride. Thank you for your leadership.

Download attachment ↓View on regulations.gov →

Abstract

Section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires EPA to address unreasonable risks that the Administrator has determined are presented by a chemical substance under the conditions of use. Following a risk evaluation carried out under the authority of TSCA section 6, EPA has determined that methylene chloride presents unreasonable risks of injury to health. EPA is initiating rulemaking under TSCA section 6 to address these unreasonable risks.

View on regulations.gov →

Co-filers (54)

See everyone who commented →