Webinar Title: Safer Alternatives to Methylene Chloride Consumer Product Paint Strippers
Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 12 noon EST
This Webinar is hosted by the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable and the Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network and is part of the Safer Chemistry Challenge Program Webinar Series
Register: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/477986714
Description: Methylene chloride has been used for many years in consumer product paint strippers that are purchased from Home Depot, paint supply and hardware stores. The strippers are used by consumers, small furniture stripping companies, contractors, boatyards and various other businesses to strip a range of items. The chemical is a carcinogen and acute exposure to methylene chloride strippers is linked to two deaths in California in the last few years. This presentation will describe two projects that focused on developing, testing and demonstrating safer alternatives to methylene chloride consumer product paint strippers. It will also focus on the actions California agencies could take to restrict the use of the strippers.
Presenter: Dr. Katy Wolf (Director, Institute for Research and Technical Assistance), Dr. Wolf is director of the Institute for Research and Technical Assistance (IRTA), a nonprofit organization established in 1989. IRTA identifies, develops, tests and demonstrates safer alternatives for industrial and consumer product applications. IRTA also performs emerging and advanced technology demonstrations that reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous substances. IRTA's work focuses heavily on solvent alternatives in cleaning, dry cleaning, electronics, paint stripping, coatings, lubricants and adhesives. Over the last 20 years, IRTA's projects have led to a reduction in the use of hazardous substances in California of more than 100 tons per day. Dr. Wolf spent fourteen years at the Rand Corporation, where she performed research on alternatives to ozone depleting substances and chlorinated solvents. Dr. Wolf has authored more than 200 publications. She has a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics.
Join the Safer Chemistry Challenge Program!
The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable announces that companies have until April 30, 2013 to join the 2025 Safer Chemistry Challenge Program (SCCP). The objective of this voluntary initiative is to motivate, challenge, and assist businesses in reducing their use of chemicals of concern to human health and the environment. The SCCP will also recognize and reward companies for finding safer alternatives to the hazardous chemicals they currently use. For information on how to become a member of the Safer Chemistry Challenge program visit www.p2.org/challenge. Facilities in the Great Lakes basin can join the program at no cost for two years under the current EPA grant. Questions can be directed to saferchemistry@gmail.com.
