Today Drew’s brother Brian and sister-in-law Johanna traveled to Washington, DC to attend a Congressional hearing where Representative Frank Pallone spoke passionately about Drew and another man who died recently from methylene chloride exposure, Joshua Atkins. Mr. Pallone only had a couple of minutes to ask questions of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt but it was very powerful. You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/4Ek_C9GTnpY?t=54m06s As you know, the EPA proposed banning methylene chloride and NMP in paint strippers last January. Since then, at least four people have died using paint strippers containing methylene chloride. But, under pressure from the industry, the EPA hasn’t finalized the ban. Representative Pallone put it well: “Mr. Pruitt, your deregulatory agenda costs lives. Real people with names, with mothers, with brothers. You have the power to finalize the ban on methylene chloride now and prevent more deaths...Do you have anything to say to these families?” Watch at https://youtu.be/4Ek_C9GTnpY?t=54m06s Representative Pallone discussed not only Drew’s story but also the story of Joshua Atkins whose mother connected with the Wynne family and Safer Chemicals Healthy Families through this petition. Joshua was a caring, passionate man who was 31 just like Drew. He had many interests in life, including photography, playing music and participating in a number of sports. His lifelong passion was BMX biking but he also loved snowboarding, rock climbing and yoga. Even though he was the picture of health, in February a paint stripper containing methylene chloride killed him while he was refinishing his BMX bike. Joshua shouldn’t have been killed by a toxic paint stripper and no one else should. We’re going to keep pushing the EPA to ban methylene chloride and NMP in paint strippers but there’s absolutely no reason for Lowe’s to wait for government action. Lowe’s has the power to take these products off its shelves and save lives! --The team at Safer Chemicals Healthy Families