Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced upcoming actions to finalize the ban on methylene chloride, a highly toxic chemical that can be used for paint stripping:
“When Administrator Pruitt appeared before the Energy and Commerce Committee two weeks ago, I urged him to finalize a ban on methylene chloride - a deadly chemical readily available at hardware and automotive stores. Unfortunately, we have seen terrible consequences from Administrator Pruitt’s efforts to delay or abandon this ban, including at least two preventable deaths in the last year. Today, Administrator Pruitt has responded to my request with plans to finalize regulations for methylene chloride. I welcome this announcement, but stress that regulations short of a ban will not protect the American public from this unreasonable risk."
Last month, Pallone asked Pruitt during an Energy and Commerce Committee hearing to reconsider his decision to indefinitely delay implementation of the ban.
