Stripping paint, varnish and traditional finishes from wood and metal surfaces can be hard work. In the past, off-the-shelf paint removers such as Nitromors made light work of most finishes, but as many will have noticed over the past 15 years, they aren’t as potent as they once were.
This is due to regulations brought in by the HSE in 2009. The Health and Safety Executive banned the use of a chemical solvent called Dichloromethane (DCM) in products available to the general public. The chemical, identifiable by its sweet smell, is toxic and is known to cause serious health issues.
In this blog post, we will explore why these regulations are in place, what they mean for trade and DIY use, and provide guidance on understanding and abiding by the HSE requirements.
Understanding Dichloromethane
Dichloromethane, also known as methylene chloride, is a powerful solvent used in industrial paint removers such as Paramose Paint Stripper.
DCM is also used in a variety of industrial cleaning products, insecticides and most surprisingly (long ago) the decaffeination of tea and coffee.
As the name suggests, the chemical is a mix of methane and chlorine. The DCM paint stripper famously causes the coating it’s applied to to blister, separating coating from the solid surface below. This reaction happens in a matter of seconds, allowing fast and easy removal of paint, varnish and lacquers from wood and metal, which is why it was so popular.
Why DCM Stripper Regulations Matter
Improper handling of organic solvents such as Dichloromethane can cause serious harm or death. These solvents are highly reactive, meaning they evaporate very quickly, with large amounts of low odour vapour. The user often doesn’t realise the risk for this reason.
The following are all dangers associated with improper handing, in an appropriate setting, with adequate personal protection equipment or forced ventilation:
Skin & Eye Damage: DCM Paint removers often include Hydrofloric Acid which makes light work of removing layers of tough paint and lacquer from textured metal, therefore you can imagine the serious skin damage that can occur as a result of even brief contact, namely extreme blistering and chemical burns. We always recommend thick, chemical resistant gloves or gauntlets, along with an apron and face shield - not all PPE is sufficient, please obtain specialist advice on the correct PPE to use.
Inhalation: DCM breaks down to carbon monoxide in the blood. Hence it can cause nausea and dizziness in inadequately ventilated environments, which can subsequently lead to suffocation, loss of consciousness and serious lung damage.
Carcinogen: DCM-based products are known to be highly carcinogenic, long term exposure has been linked to various types of cancers.
Neurotoxicity: Cerebral Hypoxia occurs when the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen, resulting in long-term, irreversible cognitive damage, including serious brain damage.
Dichloromethane vapour is heavier than air, so is most dangerous when working close to the ground. Past casualties have occurred when users were working on floors, baths, basements and cleaning the bottom of tanks.
Current Regulations and Guidelines
In 2010, EU restrictions on DCM in paint strippers came into force. In June 2012, full implementation of restrictions came into effect across all EU member states. Due to the highly hazardous nature of DCM-based products, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in line with EU REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, retained said restrictions post-Brexit with modifications under UK REACH.
The HSE segregates users into three categories:
Industrial Users (Professionals using DCM in industrial premises)
Industrial users are only legally able to purchase DCM Paint and Varnish strippers if they can prove (via a company website, verifiable business contact details, Google Business Profile etc) that they are a professional in an applicable industry, AND are using the product in an industrial unit (not a domestic property) WITH mechanical forced extraction (extractor fan or spray booth). If you tick all these boxes, you are considered an Industrial User and you are required to sign a legal declaration with us, once every 12 months.
Professional Users (Professionals using the DCM on-site or at domestic properties)
If you are a Professional, and can prove so as above, but are using DCM-based products on-site or at a domestic property, you are required to take the HSE two part course online, to obtain a HSE certificate number. We, as suppliers, aren’t able to supply the DCM Paint Stripper legally without the certificate number on record. Every person using the product on-site is required to have a certificate number.
Domestic Users
DCM paint removers aren’t permitted to be sold to the general public (non-professional users).
Many have been using the DCM Paint Remover for decades, prior to the aforementioned regulatory changes. It’s often a difficult conversation when advising those users that they are no longer at liberty to purchase DCM-based products with the same freedom once afforded to us. Many experienced users are often semi-retired and/or work in a home workshop or domestic setting, and are well-acquainted with using DCM-based products in a responsible manner. However, due to the regulatory changes, we can no longer sell DCM-based products, such as Paramose Paint Stripper, without adhering to the previously disclosed strict conditions, regardless of personal experience.
The potential penalties for not adhering to the above regulations are severe, for both you the end-user and us as the supplier.
In the past, fines in the thousands of pounds and prison sentences have been issued. The HSE takes these regulations very seriously and suppliers’ records can be audited at any time. We are not able to make any exceptions.
What does the course look like?
As previously mentioned, if you’re intending to use the Paramose in a domestic or site environment, you can only legally purchase the DCM Paint Stripper if you are both a professional (in a relevant industry) and have completed the course.
The HSE approved course is made up of two parts, both of which are available at Safetyboss.co.uk.
We are not affiliated with them in any way, but they are one of the very few places where you can complete both parts as required by HSE.
Part 1 - DCM Training
This part of the course essentially ensures that you’re informed enough to take part two, which is the HSE competency test (required for the certificate)
Part 1 consists of:
Online multiple choice questions around the dangers of Dichloromethane (DCM)
The professional does this part alone and in their own time
The personal safety precautions required
Where is appropriate to use the product and how to protect the public
Once completed, a code is given to allow the completion of Part 2
A time slot is then required to be booked for Part 2 with a HSE approved examiner
Part 2 - HSE Competency Test
Part 2 of the course is the HSE test that, once passed, allows a HSE certificate to be generated, which is required for any professional using DCM products on site or in a domestic environment.
Part 2 consists of:
- A Zoom screen share with a HSE approved examiner
- 12 multiple choice questions hosted in the examiners computer
- The examiner reads the question and answers on the screen
- The professional directs the examiner which answers to selected
- This should take between 20 and 30 minutes to complete
- Once passed the examiner will generate the HSE certificate and code
- This certificate should then be sent to the seller (Restorate) prior to purchase of DCM Paint Stripper.
You must score at least 80% (i.e. 10 questions answered correctly) to pass.
You get three attempts, after which you must re-complete the full training if unsuccessful.
Only after passing and obtaining the HSE-issued certificate can you legally purchase and use DCM strippers.
How to Stay Safe Whilst Using DCM Paint Strippers:
- Avoid using DCM Paint Strippers whenever possible
- Use in an industrial premises with forced extraction whenever possible
- When using on site (and HSE certified) avoid using in small rooms
- Avoid using DCM products at floor level
- Ensure as much ventilation as possible
- Wear heavy duty gauntlet gloves, eye protection, vapour filtering full face mask
- Cover your skin and wear an apron
- Avoid working alone or have regular contact with another person when using
- If you haven’t used DCM products before, call Restorate for advice
- Do not use around the general public - be aware of where ventilation leads to and if people are inhabiting rooms connected to the ventilation
Transitioning to Safer Alternatives
Given the regulatory pressure, there has been a significant shift towards safer alternatives. Products like Barrettine Paint Panther or Liberon Fine Wood Stripper, which are designed to offer effective paint and varnish removal without the risks associated with dichloromethane, are becoming increasingly popular.
These products use Benzyl alcohol as the solvent instead of DCM. Benzyl is a low toxicity solvent that is often used in epoxy resins, varnishes, shellacs and paints.
Although not as volatile as DCM, it does work similarly, but without all the health and environmental implications. As the industry moves away from DCM, manufacturers such as Barrettine, Liberon, Rustins, Polyvine and Paramose are developing these safer paint removers.
Do Modern Paint Removers Work?
We have used these paint removers for a variety of tasks and yes, they are effective. Just not as fast as the traditional paint removers.
We have found that the Barrettine Paint Panther and the Liberon Fine Wood Stripper are the most effective. After less than 10 minutes, the finish bubbles up. A couple of applications will remove many layers of paint, varnish or french polish to get back to the wood.
Where these alcohol based paint removers don't do so well is industrial lacquers (cellulose based). If the alcohol based removers are left for some time, they might soften the surface but they don't bubble in minutes like the DCM strippers do.
Conclusion
In order for us to continue being allowed to sell Dichloromethane-based products to professionals, we must abide by the restrictions implemented by HSE, these restrictions are absolutely critical in ensuring the safety of the general public.
However, the industry is constantly pushing for better alternatives to Dichloromethane, and with big brands competing for sales, the effectiveness of formulas will continue to improve.
By staying informed and choosing products that comply with current regulations, you can ensure that your restoration projects are both effective and safe. Always prioritise safety and environmental responsibility in your paint stripping and restoration tasks to protect yourself and those around you.