EPA Bans Consumer Use of Dangerous Paint Removal Chemical
EPA finalized a rule last week to ban the manufacture or sale of paint strippers containing the toxic chemical methylene chloride to consumers. The Agency also signaled its intention to develop federal regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act to limit the use of methylene chloride paint strippers for commercial applications.
EPA's final rule is scheduled to go into effect in six months. However, in advance of EPA's actions, many national home improvement stores have voluntarily stopped selling paint stripping products containing methylene chloride. EPA's decision to ban the consumer use of these paint strippers was in response to several reported accidental deaths from using paint removal products containing methylene chloride, including instances where contractors were removing paint from bathtubs. Many of these deaths are linked to inadequate ventilation and personal protective equipment.
Remodelers and other NAHB members who use consumer paint stripping products containing methylene chloride should use appropriate personal protective equipment including respirators and protective clothing, gloves and eyewear.
You can refer to OSHA guidelines for proper handling and work place controls for methylene chlorine. Individuals interested in non-methylene chloride paint removal should review information from the Centers for Disease Control and California Department of Public Health.
To develop a proposed rule to restrict the use of methylene chloride for commercial paint and coating removal, EPA is currently accepting public comments on the types of federal training, certification, and work practice requirements that could be imposed on commercial users of methylene chloride-based paint and coating removal products. After receiving comments in about 60 days, EPA will then develop a proposed rule.
Latest from NAHBNow
Membership
Oct 14, 2026
Central Tennessee HBA's Award-Winning Membership Growth Plan
The Home Builders Association of Central Tennessee focused on expanding its footprint in previously underserved areas by appointing new charter presidents to promote membership, build relationships with local officials and provide networking opportunities in outlying counties.
55+ Housing | Trends
Oct 13, 2026
Key Housing Trends Among the 55+ Population
Adults ages 55 and older make up a large and growing share of the U.S. population and play an important role in the U.S. housing market. Only 16% of NAHB Builder members, however, reported building age-restricted housing for people age 55 or older, according to 2025 Member Census. For builders and remodelers targeting this demographic, it is important to understand the trends within this part of the housing industry.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Oct 13, 2026
Existing Home Sales Increased in September
Existing home sales rose after three months of declines as improved inventory gave buyers more negotiating power. As buyers wait for rate relief, homes are sitting on the market longer and for-sale inventory reached the highest level in over a decade.
Economics
Oct 13, 2026
Median Age in Construction Holds at 42
The median age of construction workers is 42, one year older than a typical worker in the national labor force, according to NAHB analysis of the latest 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) data.
Economics
Oct 09, 2026
Private Water and Sewer Systems in 2025 New Single-Family Homes
The share of new single-family homes built with individual wells and septic systems increased in 2025 compared to the previous year. According to NAHB’s analysis of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), approximately 10% of single-family homes started in 2025 were served by individual (private) wells, and 17% relied on individual septic systems.