Industrial Solvent Exposure - Safe Alternatives
IIIt is estimated that in Quebec alone over 450,000 workers are exposed to organic solvents every year. Occupational health specialists and public health authorities are well aware of the dangers associated with that exposure. Substitution with less hazardous products or processes is growing among the means used for preventing the hazards that these substances represent. BioCanadian distributes a wide range of solvents that are manufactured using alcohols and fatty acid esters of vegetable oils. Their effects on health and safety, on the environment, and on the technical aspects of industrial production and use are proven improvements and yet the majority of the market remains stuck in neutral when it comes to making the switch.
What aboutOne of the biggest health hazards today is indoor air pollution. In some cases, air inside a building can be as much as 100 times more polluted than outside. If you have ever walked into a building and started coughing from the distinct odor of cleaners, it is likely the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are triggering your reaction. VOCS are a class of substances that evaporate easily and react in the atmosphere with sunlight and heat creating an unhealthy breathing environment. Millions of tons of VOCs are released into the air. Environment Canada has found that over 900 different VOCs can be found in indoor air alone, from sources such as industrial and institutional cleaners as well as “off-gassing” from furniture, carpeting and paints. Exposure to high levels of VOCs can cause eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, headaches and/or impaired memory. VOCs present in some cleaners include formaldehyde and benzene, known or suspected carcinogens, and toluene, a factor in central nervous system dysfunction. D-Limonene and D-Pinene, although plant-based, are used in some cleaners yet they are also VOCs.
How do they compare?
The Safety Solvents are non-polar plant-based solvents which provide the same or higher performance characteristics of traditional halogenated or chlorinated solvents with few or none of the disadvantages. SAFE CARE Safety Solvents include solvents that are water miscible and non-miscible and 100% evaporative and non-evaporative with Kauri Butinal (KB) values ranging from 150 to over 1000.
The Safety Solvents do not compromise on their performance by easily exceeding the highest values available for chlorinated solvents such as 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, Xylene or Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK). Generally, SAFE CARE Safety Solvents are non-reactive with cleaning surfaces including elastomerics such as viton, butyl, nylon, acrylics, HDPE/LDPE, styrenes, urethanes, vinyls and most inorganic paints and coatings.
What aboutOne of the biggest health hazards today is indoor air pollution. In some cases, air inside a building can be as much as 100 times more polluted than outside. If you have ever walked into a building and started coughing from the distinct odor of cleaners, it is likely the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are triggering your reaction. VOCS are a class of substances that evaporate easily and react in the atmosphere with sunlight and heat creating an unhealthy breathing environment. Millions of tons of VOCs are released into the air. Environment Canada has found that over 900 different VOCs can be found in indoor air alone, from sources such as industrial and institutional cleaners as well as “off-gassing” from furniture, carpeting and paints. Exposure to high levels of VOCs can cause eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, headaches and/or impaired memory. VOCs present in some cleaners include formaldehyde and benzene, known or suspected carcinogens, and toluene, a factor in central nervous system dysfunction. D-Limonene and D-Pinene, although plant-based, are used in some cleaners yet they are also VOCs.
How do they compare?
The Safety Solvents are non-polar plant-based solvents which provide the same or higher performance characteristics of traditional halogenated or chlorinated solvents with few or none of the disadvantages. SAFE CARE Safety Solvents include solvents that are water miscible and non-miscible and 100% evaporative and non-evaporative with Kauri Butinal (KB) values ranging from 150 to over 1000.
The Safety Solvents do not compromise on their performance by easily exceeding the highest values available for chlorinated solvents such as 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, Xylene or Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK). Generally, SAFE CARE Safety Solvents are non-reactive with cleaning surfaces including elastomerics such as viton, butyl, nylon, acrylics, HDPE/LDPE, styrenes, urethanes, vinyls and most inorganic paints and coatings.
Tags: methyl ester, solvent replacement, soy ester