CHARLOTTE, NC/WASHINGTON — The home improvement retailer Lowe’s announced that it would phase out the use of two chemicals known as methylene chloride and N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) in its paint removal products sold globally by the end of this year. Lowe’s becomes the first major U.S. retailer to commit to ending the sale of such products, which have been found to pose health risks, including cancer, harm to the nervous system and childhood development, and even death.
Lowe’s announced its new policy amid a national campaign led by Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, NRDC, and other national and state coalition partners. More than 200,000 consumers nationwide signed petitions urging Lowe’s to act over the past two months. In early May, advocates held a week of action in more than a dozen states demanding that Lowe’s act on methylene chloride. Last year, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families sent Lowe’s a letter warning the company about the dangers of these chemicals and requested that the store stop selling paint strippers containing toxic chemicals.