Methylene chloride was once one of the main components in most paint removers. However, ever since November 2019, a ban was put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The ban prohibited the manufacturing and importing of all methylene chloride paint strippers. This blog post will discuss the benefits of a non-methylene chloride paint remover.   

What are the benefits to a non methylene chloride paint remover?  

The main benefit of a non-methylene chloride paint remover is that it will not have hazardous effects on human health. Methylene chloride is a major health risk; even in small amounts. The main side effects that come along with exposure to methylene chloride are:  

• Drowsiness  
• Dizziness  
• Numb/Tingly Limbs  
• Nausea  
• Cancer  
• Loss of Consciousness  
• Death  

What are the better options?  

Better options for paint removers that do not contain methylene chloride are:  

• Acetone  
• Glycol Ether  
• Triethyl Phosphate  
• Benzyl Alcohol  
• Formic Acid  
• N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP)  

Although these chemicals do have their hazards; most of them do not cause much harm as methylene chloride can. These chemicals are not perfectly safe, but they are the safer options.   

One example of a non-methylene chloride paint remover that has results comparable to those made from methylene chloride is sold by us here at Ecolink. This product is called SAFE STRIP.   

SAFE STRIP is an environmentally friendly paint solvent made mostly from NMP. NMP is known to cause reproductive harm in California; however, that is one of the only harms this chemical can cause. You can use SAFE STRIP like any other paint remover and effectively replace products containing methylene chloride and other chemicals. This product comes with several benefits: 

• Biodegradable  
• Non-flammable  
• Low VOC emissions  
• One-step coating removal  
• A performance like MEK and methylene chloride  
• Non-ozone depleting

Looking for more alternatives to methylene chloride?  

Ecolink is here to help your industry with this and more! We offer multiple safer alternatives to most hazardous solvents and cleaning products. These alternatives have been supplied to industries like yours for over thirty years and are of high quality. If you would like to browse through our products, then click here! If you need any help finding more information about one of our products, you can contact one of our expert chemists here. Our chemists will help answer any questions that you may have today!