Monday, Walmart announced that it will stop selling paint strippers containing methylene chloride or N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) in stores by February 2019—making it the first general merchandise retailer to take such action. Walmart’s announcement follows the strong leadership demonstrated by Lowes , Home Depot and Sherwin Williams , all of which have committed not to sell methylene chloride- and NMP-based paint stripping products by the end of the year. Importantly, Walmart’s action goes beyond its U.S. stores, including those in Mexico, Canada and Central America, as well as their online store. The announcement signals an important step by Walmart to better protect consumers from dangerous paint strippers. Methylene chloride is highly neurotoxic and acutely lethal. The chemical is responsible for more than 50 reported deaths from acute exposure over the last 35 years—though many more likely have gone unreported. NMP is linked to fetal development problems, including low birth weight and birth defects. The Environmental Defense Fund has advocated for several years for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban both methylene chloride- and NMP-based paint strippers, using its enhanced authority under the reformed Toxic Substance Control Act. In January 2017, EPA proposed to ban methylene chloride and restrict […]
Latest Articles
Everybody Clap! Endangered Seal Species Hits Comeback Milestone
Takeaways: The population of Hawaiian monk seals, found only in Hawaii, has surpassed 1500 seals.
This is higher than their number has been in...
This Parisian Hotel Is a ‘Living Building’ With a Glorious Green Facade
Takeaways: Villa M. in the south of Paris is hotel that is dramatically covered in plants.
The plant façade is intended to grow into...
No More Russian Oil: How Europe Could Cut 35% Of Its Transport Oil Demand
Takeaways: The UK and the European Union have announced plants to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of 2022.
Almost all of...
Lessons from Panda Conservation Could Help Asia’s Other, Overlooked, Bears
Takeaways: Pandas conservation efforts are largely due to the public attention they have gotten over the years which have led to significant funding to...
A Massive Solar Power Farm Will Be Built in California Desert
Takeaways: A major solar energy project, the Crimson Solar Project will be built in the Californian desert.
Once completed, it will have the capacity...
A 1,000-Pound Great White Shark just Spotted Off Coast of New Jersey
Takeaways: A 1000 pound great white shark was spotted off the coast of New Jersey.
This shark, Ironbound, has traveled an estimated 13,000 miles...