Proposed ban on dichloromethane (DCM)

    **** Moderator's comments: This is a truncated posting. The
    original contains a call to action and a sample letter to send
    to MPs and MEPs. See

        <URL:http://www.stripperspaintremovers.com/ban>

The EU is proposing to ban an ingredient fundamental to 90% of all
paint removers sold. All paint removers or graffiti removers
containing DCM (Methylene Chloride), a key ingredient of 90% of all
paint removers sold, would be banned by the EU legislation,
including our products Strippers NB-410, NB-510, NB-610 and G-102,
and those of *all* other manufacturers--including the most
well-known brand, Nitromors.

How will this effect building conservation? It is well known that
paint removal work can enhance building features when it is done
correctly and cause the permanent devastation of surfaces when wrong
methods are used. For example, the importance of maintaining the
vapour permeability of solid-wall and timber-framed buildings is
well understood. Paint removers are essential for removing paint
coatings that inhibit or prevent such breathability.

Philip Poels
Strippers Paint Removers
PO Box 6
Sudbury CO10 6TW
+44 1787 371524
Fax: +44 1787 313944


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 22:4
                   Distributed: Tuesday, July 8, 2008
                        Message Id: cdl-22-4-004
                                  ***