EU Wants Partial Ban of Toxic Paint Removers
Date: 15-Feb-08
Country: BELGIUM
Some experts have expressed concern that a number of accidents and deaths in the EU in recent years were linked to use of the substance, the European Commission said.
Paint strippers containing dichloromethane, whose vapour can damage the central nervous system, are sold in "Do-It-Yourself" stores and used in industry.
"The Commission therefore proposes to ban the sale of such paint strippers to the general public and professional users," it said in a statement on Thursday.
"However, taking account of other expert opinion that this substance may be safely used by professionals if adequate precautions are taken, member states may permit their purchase and use by licensed professionals who have received appropriate training," it said.
Member states of the 27-nation bloc and the European Parliament are expected to adopt the proposal formally by the end of the year, the Commission said.
(Reporting by Jan Strupczewski; editing by Dale Hudson)
