Watch out for N-Methylpyrrolidone, or NMP, when buying your paints and cleaners.
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You may want to the label of your home maintenance products ASAP. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule on June 5 to ban a chemical found in a range of items you probably have in your home: NMP (N-Methylpyrrolidone)—a chemical that can cause health issues like pregnancy and fertility risks and harm to the liver, immune system, nervous system, and kidneys.
NMP is typically found in products like paint or adhesive removers, coatings or stains for floor finishes, arts and crafts paint additives, some clothing and bedding, wood cleaner, and electronic cleaners. You could even encounter it in a nail salon via the nail polish remover and in children’s arts and crafts.
According to a document published by the EPA, here are the household items you should check before purchasing:
- Adhesive
- Seam Sealer
- Floor Sealant Acrylic
- Grout, resin, mold, foam, and gasket cleaner/remover/solvent
- Cleaner (electronics)
- Tile cleaner
- Tile grout
- Home maintenance cleaner
- Car care
- Super glue removal
- Solvent laundry detergent
- Wood floor coating
- Wood finish varnish
- Clear gloss protective finish
- Paint
- Rust preventive
- Printing ink
- Ink thinner
- Herbicide
- Parasiticide
- Weed killer
- Dog flea and tick
- Children’s arts and crafts products (Gels, Creams, Powders, Liquids, Adhesives, synthetic fragrances)
- Dolls/soft toys
- Children’s footwear
- Children’s clothing
- Baby feeding/bibs
- Blankets/throws
If you’ve recently painted your home or had your floors touched up, make sure what you used didn’t contain the chemical, as you can be exposed to vapors for up to two weeks. (Note that this document was published in 2017, so it’s worth noting some manufacturers may have changed the way they make their products since then.)
Related: What Are Zero-VOC Paints, and Which Paint Brands Sell Them?
Many companies have already made the switch to NMP replacements. Hardware stores such as The Home Depot and Lowe’s have phased out the chemical entirely—with both stores stopping all use since 2018—so you can shop without worrying. Sherwin-Williams stated that they carry no products with NMP. Walmart has also stopped carrying paint strippers with NMP.
To identify whether something contains NMP, check the ingredients label or take a look at the material or product safety data sheet from the manufacturer.
It’s possible to reduce the risks of exposure by applying small amounts of products that contain NMP in well-ventilated areas, but it still isn’t recommended—especially with the range of alternative cleaning products on the market.
Related: Here’s Every Winner from Our 2024 Clean House Awards
Consumers may also want to look out for wood coatings, especially on floors throughout their home. If you’ve had your floors touched up recently, make sure the products used didn’t contain the chemical, as this could expose you to vapors for up to two weeks.
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