Lowe’s will ban several paint strippers from its stores, removing them from shelves by the end of the year after protesters urged them to do so for safety reasons.
Lowe's will pull paint stripper products containing methylene chloride, which has been linked to cancer and reproductive issues, and NMP, which reportedly causes fetal development problems, including miscarriages, USA Today reported. Activist group Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families had encouraged Lowe's to ban the products.
“We care deeply about the health and safety of our customers, and great progress is being made in the development of safer and more effective alternatives,” Lowe’s Chief Customer Officer Mike McDermott said, USA Today reported. “As a home improvement leader, we recognize the need for viable paint removal products and remain committed to working closely with suppliers to further innovate in this category.”
Safer Chemicals praised Lowe’s for the decision, which came after the activist group organized protests outside Lowe’s stores to raise awareness of the issue.
“When facing federal inaction on vital issues facing the American public — some of which are matters of life or death — retailers have a responsibility and an opportunity to do right by their customers,” Mind the Store campaign director for Safer Chemicals Mike Schade said in a statement, USA Today reported. “Lowe’s has set the pace for the rest of the retail sector with its announcement today. The company’s actions will also help drive the development of safer green chemistry solutions.”
The chemical-contianing paint strippers have killed more than 60 people since 1980, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
Lowe’s also carries at least four other paint strippers that have non-harmful ingredients and would like to carry even more.
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