Nine AGs Filed Amicus Brief in Support of Challenge to EPA Rule that Fails to Regulate Harmful Paint and Coating Removers

New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of nine attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of environmental organizations that were challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final methylene chloride rule. Methylene chloride is a toxic solvent used in a range of products, including in paint strippers and coating removers, and has been linked to cancer, cognitive deficiencies, asphyxiation, and at least 40 deaths since 1976. The brief noted that the agency’s final rule violates the Toxic Substances Control Act because it fails to regulate commercial use of methylene chloride products that the agency determined pose an unreasonable risk to human health.

• Documents: Amicus Brief
• Document Type: Briefs
• States: Connecticut Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota New Jersey New York Oregon Vermont Washington
• Agencies: Environmental Protection Agency
• Issues: Public Health Toxics
• Era: Trump Administration
• Outcome: Loss
• Explanation of Outcome:The petition for review of the final rule was denied.
• Action Type: Litigation