The Truth About Methylene Chloride

Methylene chloride although an effective paint stripping chemical is now known to be very toxic and has no business in retail. The chemical enters the body when inhaled and can be absorbed through unprotected skin. It can immediately irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Direct contact can cause severe burns to the skin and eyes. Even small exposures are harmful over time as they can damage the liver, kidneys and nerves, and can cause cancer.

The ban on methylene chloride in removers sold in the USA and Canada was first proposed in
January 2017.  Since then, at least four people have died using the products.  In enclosed areas, the fumes build up, putting users at risk of death by asphyxiation.  The chemical has also been shown to cause heart attacks.  A 2015 investigation by the Center for Public Integrity cited at least 56 deaths in the United States alone since 1980 which were linked to methylene chloride.

“I was shocked. I mean, how is it that you can find something that will kill you instantly and, buy it, just off the shelf?” said Brian Wynne. His brother Drew died last year while resurfacing a floor in South Carolina while using the product “Goof Off.”

Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon, Sherwin Williams and other smaller retail chains have said they will begin phasing out sales of these products by the end of 2018.  The popular retail chains also promised to stop selling paint removers with an ingredient, often known as NMP, that research suggests could reduce fertility and endanger unborn children.

Some product manufacturers have addressed the issue by removing methylene chloride only to put in toluene and methanol, both linked to birth defects.  A 2015 report released by a safer-chemical organization called BizNGO classified toluene and methanol as “high concern.”

A new formulation that avoids those chemicals was developed by the UK company Eco Solutions and has been made available in North America by the Canadian company EZ Strip. This water based formula provides excellent paint stripping capabilities while also being user friendly. EZ Strip's skin safe low VOC gel cleans up with just water and is biodegradable so it's safe to dispose in your regular household garbage.

Visit the EZ Strip website today

for where to buy info, removal project ideas, and how to videos! 

How To Remove Popcorn Ceilings

Removing drywall textures that have been painted can be very difficult and EZ Strip has a DIY solution that can help! Drywall textures have many names to describe the style of texture but they are all created with drywall mud compound. So no matter if you have popcorn, stomp, swirl, orange peel, knockdown, or any other name for your texture its all the same when it comes to removal. Mud compound by itself is a water soluble material that can be removed with just water however once it has been painted which is often the case it becomes very difficult to penetrate with water solutions. EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover is a non-toxic removal solution that will penetrate through multiple layers of paint and soften your drywall texture. It also coats the material being removed for a dust free removal. Below is the everything you need to complete your project. Be sure to watch the how to remove video at the end!

First thing you need to do is gather your materials you will need:

1. EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover (coverage is approx. 120 sq ft per gallon)
2. Painters' Tape
3. Plastic sheeting (thin plastic is better)
4. Container for product
5. Wide brush or thick roller
6. Step ladder to reach
7. Broom
8. 6 inch mud spatula
9. Paint tray
10. Clean cloth
11. Water 

Step 1 Prep

You want to start by taping off any surfaces you do not want to treat with plastic. Be sure to protect your floors and any painted surfaces before application. If you can remove your furniture before hand it will make the project much easier. This type of removal project can be a little messy so protect your stuff!

Step 2 Apply

Shake EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover very well then pour product into a container. Apply a thick even coating to surface. Tip: work in manageable sections (one room at a time) so you can cover treated areas with plastic before product drys out. Tip: if you drip EZ Strip on anything you don't want it on wipe clean with water immediately to neutralize.   

Step 3 Cover 

EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover is a water based remover that stops working if it drys out. For removal times that require an over night set time (thicker textures or textures painted with oil based products) cover treated area with plastic. Using plastic sheeting tape the starting edge to the wall (here is where you need some help) have someone lift up the opposite edge while you push the plastic up to treated surface with a broom, plastic should stick to wet product. Continue to tape edges as you go until entire treated surface is covered. Then use the broom to push out any air bubbles so you have a tight seal. This will keep the product wet and working and improve texture penetration.  

Step 4 Scrape

Once texture is soften enough to scrape peel back plastic and scrape surface with your mud spatula catching falling material with a plastic lined paint tray to minimize mess. Softened material should scrape off fairly easily and fall with no dust. Be sure to scrape a long the drywall tape seems not against. You do not want to remove the drywall tape that covers the seems between drywall boards. Scrape evenly along seems without too much pressure to remove texture but not expose tape.

Step 5 Wipe

To finish wipe surface with a damp clean cloth. Be sure to remove any remaining EZ Strip product and texture. This will ensure you have proper paint adhesion. EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover cleans up with just water. All tools and containers can be cleaned with just water. Be careful to not over saturate the exposed drywall a damp cloth is all you need. Let surface completely dry before patching and painting. 

Now that you have all the details watch the how to remove video on the EZ Strip YouTube Channel and see EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover in action here:

For purchase details and more removal info visit the EZ Strip website @ EZstrip.ca 

What's The Scoop On Safer Paint Strippers?

VOC stands for volatile organic compound -- any of several chemicals found in numerous consumer products, from gasoline and glue to correction fluid and colored markers. Even cosmetics, mothballs, air fresheners and household cleaning supplies contain VOCs.

Because they're volatile, these compounds vaporize and emit gasses. Paint strippers, for example, can emit high levels of VOCs into the air during use causing serious health problems and even death.

What Are the Risks Associated with VOC's?

VOCs are linked to a range of health problems, including some very serious diseases. Methylene Chloride a common chemical found in paint strippers, for example, is one of several VOCs that's known to cause cancer ... not suspected -- known, beyond any doubt. Other health effects besides cancer include kidney damage, liver damage, damage to the central nervous system (including the brain), as well as complaints like headaches and eye, throat, nose irritation, and death.

The health effects of VOCs vary from source to source, and from person to person. Professional painters have been found to have a range of serious health problems, especially liver and kidney damage. People with pre-existing conditions, pregnant and nursing women, small children and other sensitive people are at particular risk.

Even an occasional paint stripping project can increase your risk of physical problems. Levels of VOCs inside your house can increase up to 1,000 times after doing something like paint stripping. Paint stripping products, in fact, are the second-largest source of VOCs after cars. The VOCs in paint strippers can seriously affect the indoor air quality of even a well-ventilated home or work shop.

Avoiding VOCs and Considering "Green" Paint Strippers 

Lots of manufacturers are now claiming to make Eco-friendly paint strippers, but some of these claims are dubious and may be just greenwashing. Greenwashing is the practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product, service, technology or company practice. Greenwashing can make a company appear to be more environmentally friendly than it really is.

First of all, always follow all the manufacturer's recommendations regarding safe use. Use only in well-ventilated areas, for example, and keep stripping products away from children and pets. And always look for paint strippers that have low-VOCs.

What is N-Methylpyrrolidone?

N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), also known as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and colloquially as Methylpyrrolidone, is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a slight amine or “fishy” odor. NMP is an organic compound found in "safer paint strippers" often citrus or soy based stripping products. The problem is they are safer than Methylene Chloride but that is where it ends as they can still pose high health risks when used and because they pose as safe, people do not use the proper safety precautions required when using them.

Exposure To NMP

Humans may be exposed to NMP through inhalation and skin contact with liquid and vapor forms of NMP. Exposure may also occur through ingestion of mists that deposit in the nose, mouth and throat. Consumers may be exposed when using NMP-containing products. Individuals may be exposed to NMP inhalation or skin absorption from use, from its disposal in landfills where it may evaporate into the air or leach into groundwater, and from a small amount of volatilization of contaminated water during showering or bathing.

What can you do? 

Check the Safety Data Sheet on any paint stripper you plan to use before you buy. Many of so-called Eco-friendly paint strippers still have plenty of toxic chemicals in them, like solvents, binders, etc. In any case, follow safety recommendations, dispose of them appropriately and use common sense. If you are concerned because you have small children or chemical sensitivities, consider a paint stripper with tested and proven science to back it up.


Visit EZstrip.ca today for safe alternatives to paint removal with no greenwashing needed! Your health is worth it!

DIY Home Improvement Projects For Fall

Fall is quickly approaching do you have your to do list for home improvements? Most building materials are at their best when they are installed at moderate temps. Use this time to get these fall maintenance and renovation projects done before it’s too late!

Paint The Front Door

Hands down, the easiest exterior project is also the one that reaps the biggest rewards. A freshly painted front door helps your home stand out from the block, and it can be finished in less than an afternoon. Fall is usually the perfect time for this activity; just pick that afternoon wisely. Normally, exterior painting should be done at a time when the temps are at least 50°F/10°C or so and aren’t dipping below the 40°F/5°C at night. This allows the paint to adhere properly and prevents it from freezing before it is fully dry. If you need to refinish first to ensure proper paint adhesion or want to change to stain we recommend using a safe stripper. Caution most paint stripping products are toxic only use products you are comfortable using based on your level of expertise. For safe DIY wood/fiberglass/metal refinishing we recommend EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper

Clean & Cover The Grill

It’s time to break out the cleaners and steel-bristled brushes, because your grill needs attention. Get rid of any remaining scraps of food or grease, turn off the gas, and cover the grill to protect it from weather and pests. Overwhelmed with grease? Cleaning your grill after a busy summer of bbq delights can seem a little daunting but we have a solution that will transform your grill into the beauty it was when you bought it. EZ Strip All Purpose Remover is the non toxic option for tough baked on grease.

Repair & Treat The Deck

A deck is only as good as its condition. If the wood is splintering, the finish faded, or the paint is peeling its time to get those repairs in before the snow flies! If your deck is not properly treated for water damage prevention it will just be more work after the snow melts. For damaged water sealants or peeling paint you always want to strip off the damaged coating to ensure you get the coating adhesion you need to protect your deck from water, weather, pests, and wood rot. For safe DIY wood/fiberglass/metal refinishing we recommend EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper

As the weather starts to cool down, you have the perfect opportunity to clean up summer messes and prepare your home for colder days. Use this time to get these fall maintenance and renovation projects done before it’s too late!

For more information on safe removal products from EZ Strip visit the website @ EZstrip.ca

Retailers VS Chemical Companies

Three major retailers have announced they will be banning paint strippers containing Methylene Chloride and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) from their stores by the end of 2018. This is a result of pressure from the families of victims who were overcome and died from the fumes of paint strippers with Methylene Chloride. NMP is a proven reproductive toxin and has been added to the ban list as it can harm male and female reproductive organs and harm unborn babies in the womb.

Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sherwin Williams have all stepped up to the plate to ban these chemicals from their shelves in an effort to make safer choices available for customers. This is a big win and small silver lining for the families of not just recent reported victims, but for all the victims that have died in the past 40 years.  At least 64 people have died from acute exposure to Methylene Chloride since 1980 in the US alone.

So what is the most effective safe alternative to chemical paint stripping? One brand that has proven stripping results with a skin safe low VOC formula is EZ Strip. EZ Strip has a range of removal products that will remove everything from paint, varnish, stain, markers, ink, adhesive, glue residues,
tree pitch, gum, bugs, tar, kitchen/garage grease, stickers, decals, graffiti, and a new product that will remove painted drywall textures. All EZ Strip products clean up with just water, can be safely disposed of in your regular house hold garbage, have a very low environmental impact, and are easy to use. Visit EZstrip.ca for removal tips, where to buy options, and great removal project ideas today!

Retailers Answering Consumers Plea To Ban These Toxic Products From Stores!

A big win for consumer health today as the announcement from three major US retailers Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sherwin Williams comes in. These retailers will be banning the sale of paint strippers that contain the toxic chemicals methylene chloride and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) by the end of 2018!

Health authorities believe these paint strippers have claimed dozens of lives. EPA scientists have said methylene chloride a known cancer causing carcinogenic poses an "unreasonable risk." NMP can affect reproductive organs in men and women and also fetus development when pregnant women are exposed. But products containing these chemicals have been sold to consumers for years. Victims, usually young men, have died after doing things like stripping paint off a car or bath tub for example.

Those families have been pushing for action not only at the EPA but at the retail level.

The three companies planning to stop the sale of these products Lowe's said it wants to "bring safer, affordable options to customers." Home Depot said it wants to improve health and environmental safety for products. Sherwin Williams said it also has "effective alternatives" that do not contain methylene chloride. There was a lot of concern the EPA would not uphold its planned ban on the chemical. Activists said they are cautiously optimistic at this point that it will still happen. However, that will take much longer, and the families of the victims are not willing to wait and watch more people die.

What can you do?

Protect your family, community, and environment with purchase power! Only buy and use paint removal products that do not contain toxic chemicals. Consumers can also check the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Website which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency creates toxicity profiles for every chemical and consumers can use them to determine whether a chemical is hazardous.

Safe alternatives for paint stripping are available. One company using new innovative water technology to replace toxic chemicals in their paint removal products is EZ Strip. EZ Strip removal products break the molecular bond between coating and surface without using harmful chemicals. EZ Strip removal solutions are skin safe, low VOC, and water soluble. Meaning they clean up with just water and biodegrade so they don't hang around in the environment.

Visit The EZ Strip Website and find safe removal solutions today!

Methylene chloride in paint strippers: A ban is the only health-protective path forward

Under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to perform risk evaluations on the uses of ten specific chemicals, including methylene chloride. 

According to the EPA, it is nearing completion of problem formulations for these first ten chemicals. EPA's announcement states that it will send a final methylene chloride rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) "shortly." EPA also notes that is not reevaluating the paint stripping uses of methylene chloride, and instead is relying on its previous risk assessment done in 2014. The EPA identified the risks posed by methylene chloride when it is used in paint removers in a final risk assessment available for review here TSCA-work-plan-chemical-risk-assessment 

On May 10, 2018, the EPA announced several upcoming actions on methylene chloride and has signaled it will advance a delayed rule regulating consumer and worker use of methylene chloride-based paint strippers. The record for EPA’s proposed ban is clear:  Allowing such products to stay on the market based on reliance on such factors as increased labeling, protective equipment, or training requirements simply will not protect the public’s or workers’ health. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidance recommending additional labeling falls far short of what is needed for several additional reasons:

First, the guidance is not legally binding.

Second, CPSC only has authority over consumers, not workers; yet the latter is the sub-population most often reported to be harmed through use of methylene chloride-containing paint and coating removal products. In a June 2016 letter to EPA, CPSC supported EPA's efforts to use TSCA to promulgate a ban: "Because TSCA gives EPA the ability to reach both occupational and consumer uses, we recognize that EPA may address risks associated with these chemicals in a more cohesive and coordinated manner given that CPSC lacks authority to address occupational hazards.

Third, labeling is of extremely limited efficacy in controlling exposure.  CPSC’s guidance recognizes the limits of labeling: “Warnings research demonstrates that even small inconveniences to the consumer can have a substantial negative effect on behavioral compliance with a warning.” EPA’s proposed ban clearly indicated and extensively documented that labeling would be insufficient to mitigate the risks posed by these uses of methylene chloride to consumers and workers.


The Environmental Defense Fund is encouraged by EPA’s statement last week that it has decided move forward to finalize its proposed rule banning methylene chloride in paint stripping products.  We urge EPA to promptly finalize its ban – which is the only way to adequately protect public and worker health.

Find safe paint stripping alternatives that don't put you or your family at risk. Follow this link for the number one safest DIY friendly paint removal option here EZstrip.ca

Safe & Easy Furniture Refinishing At Your Fingertips!

Traditional Furniture Refinishing Hazards

Furniture refinishing has always been a hazardous and difficult project because of the need to first remove the existing coating. Paint and varnish strippers are commonly toxic and hazardous to the environment. Traditional paint strippers contain chemicals like methylene chloride a carcinogen that can cause severe skin burns, effect your nervous system even cause death. Other common chemicals are NMP, Acetone, Toluene, Caustic Soda all of which have a laundry list of hazardous effects that can be breathed in and absorbed through the skin. No matter your removal method strippers, heat guns, and even sanding can release toxins into the air and they all require a different type of safety certified breathing mask to prevent exposure do you know what you need to keep safe?

The Safer Option

Now you can take the guessing and hazards of stripping paint and varnish right out of the equation. EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper is the only way to truly be safe when stripping furniture. EZ Strip's formula is a skin safe low VOC stripper that cleans up with just water. The solution is 100% water soluble and biodegradable for an environmentally friendly removal option for furniture coatings. No gloves, masks, or forced ventilation required. Unlike traditional stripping chemicals that require a second chemical to neutralize the first EZ Strip cleans up with just tap water. Everything you remove with EZ Strip doesn't require specialized disposal either just discard removed coatings in your regular household garbage. Caution if you suspect the coating you want to remove could contain lead paint call a certified professional. They have a training to remove lead paint safely and dispose of properly.   

How It Works

The technology behind this new innovative product allows the stripper to penetrate paint and varnish coatings and release the bond between coating and surface. This process happens without a chemical reaction with the coating being removed which can cause VOCs in that coating to be released into the air. EZ Strip will not over saturate the substrate causing wood grains to raise or splinter. This makes EZ Strip ideal for refinishing antique wood furniture. EZ Strip is safe to use on most surfaces including all types of wood, metal, stone, tile, bricks, concrete, glass, and fiber glass. Use caution with plastics as EZ Strip may etch some plastics. Visit the how to remove page on the EZ Strip website today for detailed removal info and directions at http://www.ezstrip.ca/how-to-remove/

Where To Buy

EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper is now available in a variety of locations! Visit the where to buy page on the EZ Strip website and find a local store that carries this great safe alternative to furniture refinishing near you today! Visit http://www.ezstrip.ca/buy-ez-strip/

See It In Action

Watch EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper transform old and tired furniture into treasures! Subscribe to the EZ Strip You Tube Channel for great project ideas here https://www.youtube.com/TheEZstrip

Chest Refinishing

Mirror Refinishing

Table Refinishing

Stair Refinishing

Now there is a safe alternative for furniture refinishing so you can take on that refinishing project without the hazards and high environmental impact worries traditional strippers pose! 

EZ Strip Because Life Has Never Been This EZ!

Paint Stripper Chemical Bans Delayed Even After Recent Tragic Deaths From Product

A proposed federal ban on a potentially deadly chemical found in common paint strippers may be on hold indefinitely. The EPA says methylene chloride a chemical banned in Europe since 2012 poses an unreasonable risk and has been implicated in dozens of deaths. According to the Environment Defense Fund, more than 50 deaths have been attributed to exposure of methylene chloride. Three deaths were reported in 2017. The agency proposed a ban in January 2017, but postponed it late last year.

Who Is Affected?

Methylene chloride is a commonly used paint stripper found in hardware stores and it's possibly in your garage right now. After a young man from Charleston, South Carolina died last October resurfacing the floor of a walk-in refrigerator his family says no label could ever let people know how dangerous it is. 31 year old Drew Wynne was using a paint stripper, Goof Off, manufactured by company W.M. Barr. when he was overcome by the fumes of the product. The coroner's report concluded he was incapacitated by toxic fumes and the cause of death was acute methylene chloride toxicity.

The family is asking for this chemical to be banned immediately "The pain runs deep. Not only for me but for my husband and my other two sons," Cindy Wynne said. It's deadly but found in stripping products on store shelves across the country, something Drew's brother Brian quickly learned. "I was shocked. I mean, how is it that you can find something that will kill you instantly and buy it, just off the shelf?" Brian said. Watch an interview with the family after the incident here  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dangerous-paint-stripper-chemical-methylene-chloride-ban-on-hold/

What's Being Done?

The Ann Arbor Ecology Center has renewed efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of methylene chloride. They are asking home improvement retailers to stop selling products that contain this chemical by circulating a petition and reaching out directly to retailers. Cans of methylene chloride paint strippers bear a prominent warning label including phrases like "Inhalation of vapors may cause death." The cans also contain extensive safe use instructions. However, the instructions are often widely ignored, and are themselves inadequate. "You are not able to safely use these products because the precautions required to be taken, and the personal protective equipment that would be required, is just not commonly available. It would require training to remotely be able to safely use the products," says Jeff Gearhart, Research Director for the Ann Arbor Ecology Center.



Recent deaths have also occurred in Tennessee and California. Kevin Hartley, a 21-year-old from Nashville, died while refinishing a bathtub in April 2017. He was using a commercial product called White Lightning Low Odor Stripper. In June, a worker stripping a bathtub with Jasco Premium Paint & Epoxy Remover in Huntington Park, CA, died from methylene chloride poisoning.

What Can You Do?

One thing consumers can do is only purchase safer alternatives when looking for paint strippers. Show retailers there is a high demand for non-toxic paint removers and toxic paint strippers are no longer wanted on consumers shelves! Be diligent when researching your preferred paint removal product. Your health is worth the time to look up the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the product you want to use. SDS info can help you make sure the product you want to use is the right removal method for your project and you have the right safety equipment to use it safely.

For more information on safe paint removers and strippers visit http://www.ezstrip.ca/ 

What Resources Can Help Retailers Ensure Safer Chemicals?

We recognize that considerable effort may be needed to remove a chemical of high concern from the supply chain while still providing the public with products that are effective and affordable. Slow progress on a federal level towards an American environment less toxic to human health seems to be the current pace. But a new survey of state-level lawmaking around the country has shown an increase.

More than 120 measures aimed at reducing hazardous chemical exposure in everyday life are moving in American legislatures this year, according to the latest annual count by the Safer States coalition.  The tally has grown by a dozen in the last couple of weeks and may increase further.

Focused on harmful chemicals

Safer States is a network of organizations focused on safeguarding human health — and, therefore, overall environmental health — by reducing reliance on harmful chemicals. In all, the group counts 173 significant measures adopted by 35 states since 2000.

Unfortunately, too many suppliers faced with the challenge of reducing harmful chemicals on their shelves simply offer only slightly altered chemistries. These often prove to be “regrettable substitutes,” which are chemicals that are arguably somewhat safer than the targeted chemical of high concern, but which display hazard characteristics and exposure potential similar to the chemistries they replace. Often growing concerns are revealed gradually as health and safety data gaps on the “regrettable substitutes” are slowly filled through more research. N‐Methyl pyrrolidone or (NMP) is a great example of a chemical that was thought to be a great alternative chemical for paint stripping (found in products like Citristrip and Ready Strip) only to be discovered later as a reproductive organ toxin.

For retailers to step off this costly treadmill of constantly chasing and replacing alternative chemistries requires careful assessment and substitution planning. Although a commitment to continuous improvement must allow for imperfect transition chemistries, much greater attention should be paid to getting it as right as possible in the first instance.

We encourage retailers to seek additional expert assistance and advice, follow this link for a list of experts that can help  http://saferchemicals.org/for-retailers/

High Levels Of Concern 

The Occupational Health Branch investigated two incidents in California in which workers died after using paint strippers containing methylene chloride. Methylene chloride has been linked by Federal OSHA to over 50 worker deaths nationwide since the mid-1980s. Methylene chloride (dichloromethane) is a widely used solvent that can cause serious illness or death when used in enclosed spaces. It is a cancer-causing chemical used in paint strippers, in the production of polymer foams, and as a degreaser. Because of the serious harm that can occur from inhaling methylene chloride vapors, employers, workers, and consumers should always consider safer alternatives to strip paint from surfaces.

One proven safe alternative to toxic paint stripping chemicals is stripping and removal products from EZ Strip. EZ Strip's active removal ingredients
(Dibasic esters) sit at the top of the California Department of Public Health of recommended alternatives.



To learn more about EZ Strip and how you can become a retailer of these products visit http://www.ezstrip.ca/

What You Should Know About Using Paint Strippers

IF NOT PROPERLY USED, PAINT STRIPPERS ARE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH, SAFETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT. 

Paint strippers contain chemicals that loosen paint from surfaces. These chemicals can harm you or cause cancer or even death if they are not used properly. Since many are absorbed readily through the skin or are inhaled easily, some paint stripping chemicals can irritate the skin and eyes or cause headaches, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, or loss of coordination. Some chemicals may cause developmental or reproductive problems, or damage the liver, kidney, or brain. Others catch fire easily.

More consumers are choosing to complete do-it-yourself (DIY) projects in their homes. Using paint strippers in confined spaces, can potentially expose you to dangerous chemicals through inhalation and dermal absorption. Proper knowledge/handling of paint strippers will reduce your exposure to these chemicals lessening your health risks and environmental impact.

TYPES OF PAINT STRIPPERS

1. SOLVENT-BASED STRIPPERS

Most paint strippers are solvent-based. Solvents dissolve the bond between the substrate and paint. Solvents also can dissolve other materials, including the latex or rubber of common household or dish washing gloves. Some solvents will irritate or burn the skin, while some cause serious health effects even if contact does not immediately cause pain. In addition, many solvents evaporate quickly, and they can be easily inhaled. Inhalation of these solvents can produce health effects immediately or years after exposure.

It is especially important to use paint strippers that contain solvents either outdoors or in an indoor area with strong fresh air movement (e.g., with a fan). Some paint strippers contain  solvents that do not evaporate quickly. When using these strippers indoors, be sure to open windows and doors to provide fresh air movement in and out of the work site. You should always follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety precautions. Use the amount of stripper recommended by the manufacturer to avoid buildup of harmful fumes. The different types of solvent-based paint strippers and their potential hazards and safety precautions include:

A. Methylene chloride (also called dichloromethane, or DCM) Methylene chloride is the most commonly used chemical in paint strippers. Methylene chloride products come in two varieties: nonflammable and flammable. The flammable paint strippers have less methylene chloride then the nonflammable paint strippers, but they have other flammable chemicals, including acetone, toluene, or methanol.

Methylene chloride causes cancer in laboratory animals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) consider methylene chloride to be a potential cause of cancer in humans. Methylene chloride evaporates quickly, and you can inhale it easily. Breathing high levels of methylene chloride over short periods of time can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, and lungs. It can also cause dizziness, headache, lack of coordination, and death in cases of high exposure and poor or no ventilation. High exposures to methylene chloride for long periods can also cause liver and kidney damage. The human body can change some inhaled methylene chloride to carbon monoxide (CO). CO lowers the blood's ability to carry oxygen. This may cause problems for people with heart, lung, or blood disease who use methylene chloride paint strippers indoors without fresh air and cross ventilation.

DIY use of methylene chloride-based paint strippers has increased resulting in an increase in deaths. If work must be done indoors under low ventilation conditions, consider having the work done professionally instead of attempting it yourself or consider a safer removal method. 

B. Acetone, toluene, and methanol 
Acetone, toluene, and methanol are chemicals that are commonly used together in paint strippers, and they evaporate quickly and are very flammable. Breathing high levels of these chemicals can cause a variety of effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. Breathing high levels of toluene may harm unborn children, and breathing very high levels for a long period may cause brain damage. Toluene and methanol are poisonous if swallowed.

To avoid fire and health problems, avoid using products that contain these chemicals. Non-flammable safer removal options are available.

C. N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)
Excessive contact with NMP may cause skin swelling, blistering, and burns. These skin reactions may not appear until sometime after exposure. NMP is readily absorbed through the skin and may cause health problems. Adverse health effects in the developing fetus have been noted in laboratory animals exposed to some of the chemicals in paint strippers. Therefore, women of child-bearing age who work with or use paint strippers on a regular basis, such as at work, should take special precautionary measures to decrease their risk from dermal/or and inhalation exposure.

Some paint strippers have a citrus smell or make "environmentally friendly" claims. However, these paint strippers may also be hazardous, despite these claims, and they may contain NMP.

2. CAUSTIC-BASED STRIPPERS (NOT FLAMMABLE)

A. Caustic alkalis
Caustic reacts with the paint coating and loosen it from the surface. One of the chemicals in this type of stripper is sodium hydroxide (lye). Some people do not use caustic alkalis because caustic products can darken wood and raise the grain.

Caustic alkalis can cause severe burns to skin and eyes even with short contact. Caustic alkalis are also highly toxic if swallowed.


3. SAFE ALTERNATIVE STRIPPERS

A. Dimethyl Esters (also known as Dibasic Esters, DBE, and DMEs*)
DBEs are readily biodegradable, low odor, low VOC strippers and are excellent solvent substitutes in many parts cleaning and stripping applications. Commercial acceptance and use of dimethyl esters and dibasic esters continues to increase due to their positive economic, environmental and performance characteristics.

Dimethyl esters and dibasic esters can be used replace more conventional and increasingly regulated removal materials and industrial solvents, including, but not limited to:

• N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)
• MEK
• methylene chloride
• isophorone
• certain glycol ethers and their acetates
• acetone
• toluene
• methanol
• cresylic acid
• caustic alkalis

With a preferable environmental, health and safety profile DBEs are considered a “greener” or environmentally preferable and safer product due to several safety and regulatory attributes, including:

Environmental

• Low VOC 
• Readily Biodegradable
• Not included CERCLA/SARA hazardous substances list
• Not considered a hazardous waste under RCRA 
• Not included on the CWA list of hazardous substances
• Used in EPA Safer Choice formulations

Health

• Not considered a carcinogen or reproductive toxin
• Low levels of toxicity
• Low Odor
• Main components not subject to Proposition 65
• Included on EPA list of safer chemicals for use in Safer Choice formulations

Safety

• Non Flammable
• Non Corrosive
• Non Hazardous DOT
• High Flash Point
• High Boiling Point
• Slowly Evaporation Rate

GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Paint strippers contain different chemicals, and the potential hazards are different for various products. Its important to remember each product has specific safety precautions. However, there are some general safety steps to keep in mind when using any paint stripper. If you use paint strippers frequently, it is particularly important that you follow these steps:

1. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions on the label. Do not assume you already know how to use the product. The hazards may be different from one product to another, and the ingredients in individual products often change over time. The label tells you what actions you should take to reduce hazards and the first aid measures to use.

2. Wear chemical-resistant gloves appropriate to the type of stripper being used. Examples include gloves made with butyl rubber or neoprene. See the manufacturer's instructions or a material safety data sheet (MSDS) on your product to determine the appropriate glove type. Also, ask your local store what type of gloves to choose for your product. Common kitchen latex gloves do not provide enough protection. Replace gloves often to decrease dermal exposure risk.

3. Avoid getting the paint stripper on your skin or in your eyes. Wear protective clothing and goggles appropriate for the project and type of stripper.

4. Only use paint strippers outdoors never indoors unless stripper states it safe to do so. If you must use them indoors, cross-ventilate by opening all doors and windows. Never use any paint stripper in a poorly ventilated area. Make sure there is fresh air movement throughout the room. Ventilate the area before, during, and after applying it and when stripping by using a fan that is blowing air away from you and to the outside. A fan is particularly important for nonflammable products that evaporate quickly, such as methylene chloride. However, electrical sparks from fans may increase the chance of flammable paint stripper fumes catching fire. If work must be done indoors under low ventilation conditions, consider having the work done professionally instead of attempting it yourself.

5. Do not use flammable paint strippers near any source of sparks, flame, or high heat. Do not work near gas stoves, kerosene heaters, gas or electric water heaters, gas or electric clothes dryers, gas or electric furnaces, gas or electric space heaters, sanders, buffers, or other electric hand tools. Open flames, cigarettes, matches, lighters, pilot lights, or electric sparks can cause the chemicals in paint strippers to suddenly catch fire.

7. Only strip paint with chemicals that are marketed as paint strippers. Never use gasoline, lighter fluid, or kerosene to strip paint.

8. Dispose of paint strippers according to the instructions on the label. If you have any questions, ask your local environmental sanitation department about proper disposal. 

When it comes to paint stripping knowledge is power always know exactly what your working with from the removal product to the material you are stripping. Using some basic safety precautions that start at the time of purchasing the stripper and finish with the proper disposal of removed materials will ensure your safety and low environmental impact.

Learn more about safer stripping choices from EZ Strip here http://www.ezstrip.ca/

DIY Painted Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Popcorn Ceiling Texture the bumpy lumpy DIY Savvy Home Owners dread! This stuff dates your home and is impossible to clean. If it has never been painted GREAT carefully spritz with water and scrape off softened material for that modern smooth look. But if it has been painted and that is often the case no amount of water will soften that texture. Dry scraping is tough and messy. You can skim coat over the texture with a lot of drywall mud and a well trained trowel hand. But when you go to sand that skim coat for a smooth finish it's dust city! So finding a dust free DIY friendly removal option for painted drywall textures can be very difficult. EZ Strip has developed a low VOC wet working remover that penetrates through paint and encapsulates the softened texture for a dust free DIY friendly removal option!

Here are the steps:  

    Protect your walls and floors with plastic

Apply a thick even coating of EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover

Cover treated area with plastic to keep product wet and working set times vary 4 - 12 hours

Scrape softened material with a mud spatula or scraper blade. 

Tips and Tricks

• Shake your bottle of easy strip before pouring into a container for application. 
• Use a wide brush for a quick application.
• Smooth out any air bubbles in plastic for a better set.
• Test before you scrape let the product do the work for you don't scrape till its ready. 
• Spritz with water during removal to keep product moist while scraping.
• Scrape carefully so don't damage the drywall paper lining.
• Scrape along the tape seems (the joints between drywall boards) and be careful not to remove them.
• Wipe surface clean with a damp clean cloth and let surface completely dry before patching and painting.

EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover works on all kinds of drywall textures!

                                                              

Watch The How To Remove Video!

Where To Buy

Visit the EZ Strip Website today for more removal details, project ideas and purchase info @ EZstrip.ca