Eco Friendly Solvents: How to Find a Suitable Alternative

ByTimothy Byron

Eco friendly products are taking the market by storm as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to increase awareness regarding the effects of using toxic cleaners and materials. Volatile Organic Compounds also called VOCs are solvent composites which get released into the air under normal temperature conditions. The liquid evaporates into gas form without any additional temperature or environmental change. Their low boiling point makes it easy for many molecules to enter the air as evaporation occurs. Paint is a good example because the formaldehyde slowly evaporates while it is sitting idle. VOCs are very dangerous to people, animals, and the environment. They can be found in either natural or man-made compounds. Use of these substances in doors is regulated because the release concentration is higher. Long term health conditions can develop from extended exposure. Skin, eye, or throat irritations are the short term signs of inhalation. Eco friendly solvents labeled low-VOC or no-VOC are a safer alternative to many of the standard cleaning solutions used today by businesses.

Industrial Solvents: Choosing a Safe and Functional Cleaner

Industrial solvents have evolved to include options with high performance capabilities but reduced negative effects. Paints, strippers, cleaners, pesticides, and adhesives are examples of VOC emitting products. Most emit at least a small amount into the air when used and stored. Pollutant levels may remain in the air for an extended period of time after usage. Industrial facilities are a setting where compound release can be very high. Automotive, aeronautic, and military environments consistently use degreasers or cleaners. The EPA provides specific regulations regarding types of chemicals including restrictions on certain organic solvents. Eco-friendly alternatives make it easier for a business to meet guidelines and still obtain needed performance.

Finding a replacement for high VOC industrial solvents should be the first step a business takes to increase safety in the workplace. This step forward also creates a better green image for a business. Reduced costs are a direct result of limited compound release and minimal hazard clean up. A business can take other measures to reduce VOC release as well. Ventilation should always meet if not exceed the solvent recommendations. Store containers appropriately, ensure workers handle them as specified, and dispose of all used solvent according to requirements. Organic compounds are most dangerous in an enclosed environment. The EPA estimates indoor concentrations to average one thousand times more than measured outdoors.

Testing of eco friendly solvents occurs prior to the inclusion of color additives. These also emit organic compounds and can increase the amount released into the air from each solvent. This is important to keep in mind when selecting an alternative cleaner for business or home use. Water-based solvents have lower VOC levels and green products do not add additional compounds to the air during use. An industrial facility in most scenarios cannot use water-based products due to the nature of the cleaning. They are being utilized to clean parts susceptible to corrosion or rusting when exposed to water. These environments must use a chemical based solution that may be substituted with a lower VOC product.

Industrial solvents are dangerous because they emit gas compounds during evaporation. Eco friendly solvents may be used in place of common products to reduce air contamination.

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Going Bust Over Degreasing Solvents: How Did Clean Get So Ugly?

ByTimothy Byron

Successful manufacturing business owners adopt incredibly resourceful ways of dealing with daily, predictable stress. So much, in fact, it is commonly viewed as "part of the job." In a position with endless decisions to be made, degreasing solvents being used in the facility hardly seem worthy of a second thought. Owners realize that grease, oil, and dirt on equipment will need to be cleaned regularly. They contact solvents suppliers, find a product for a competitive price, and no longer have to worry about a mess, right?

Wrong. A majority of grease removal products are made with highly toxic chemicals, and threaten the health of employees. Business owners who utilize chemical degreasers in any part of operation or maintenance procedure are strongly advised to take a look at the facts, and consider the financial devastation caused by an unsafe working environment.

How Employees Are Affected

Degreasing solventsare made of industrial-strength chemical compounds that emit Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs). Trichloroethylene (TCE) is one of the most common toxic chemicals used in degreasers. The health risks of TCE exposure are so pronounced that its use must be regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Considered a maintenance cleaning product for regular and continual use to promote sanitized work environments, employees are constantly at risk of inhalation exposure. TCE in the workplace is responsible for causing minor symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and poor coordination. The more severe and chronic health symptoms of employee exposure include damage to vital heart, liver, and kidney organs of the body, as well as the central nervous system, and even death. Employees usually trust that business owners would not intentionally put their lives in danger, and certainly not on a daily basis by way of removing grease build-up.

How Exposed Employees Function

Employees exposed to HAPs do not always recognize they have been poisoned just by breathing at work, often mistaking the minor symptoms of headache or dizziness as just feeling slightly under the weather, and not significant enough to punch their time card out for the day. At the very least, an employee's level and speed of doing their job, contributing to the productivity of the company is disabled. Failure of heavy industrial machinery is the least of concerns when a worker attempts to operate with impaired judgment, slowed reaction time, and lack of basic hand-eye coordination. Completely preventable instances like this can easily multiply the number of people hurt in a shop, assembly plant, or warehouse whether the individual victims were personally exposed to chemical degreasing solvents or not.

Industrial business owners spend an enormous amount of money to have manufacturing equipment repaired, maintained, and serviced to guarantee desired productivity and profit. Justifying these costs by viewing the machinery as a vital lifeline for creating goods which will ultimately bring profit dollars is a standard and widely used practice. Factoring the crucial expenses your company needs to operate, and knowing your minimum overhead costs is common business sense. The well-being of employees is essential for the lifeline. As the majority of operators and laborers within a production facility, their safety cannot be left out of the overhead.

The Bottom Line

Lack of responsible ownership and hazardous working environments rob companies of potential productive earnings, while enhancing the likelihood of a wrongful employee injury or death liability lawsuit that can easily result in financial devastation. Fortunately, toxic chemical solvents suppliers are only one of two varieties. Reputable companies producing degreasing solvents organically are available to assist business owners with the exact same equipment methods, application, and desired removal strength to continue desirable and safer working conditions for all.

Health hazards of chemical degreasing solvents are explained for business owners, to demonstrate how choosing solvents suppliers that expose employees to dangerous conditions will hurt overall business profit.

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Safe Industrial Solvents: Why Are They Being Provided?

ByTimothy Byron

Safe cleaning solutions are essential in every workplace. Industrial solutions are highly useful for the removal of grime, dirt, grease, and oil. Solvents are a common chemical found in many business settings. They can be hazardous when the appropriate cautionary measures are not taken. Some are still dangerous, even under the right environmental conditions. These liquid substances dissolve various materials to clean surfaces. Typical applications include vapor degreasing, removal of corrosion, and heavy duty cleaning.

Many businesses rely on industrial cleaning chemicals to perform daily processes or keep machines operating efficiently. Consumers use less toxic solvents such as alcohol or acetone because they have minimal effects in small doses, but could pose severe harm to individuals if large amounts are used by various industries. Safe industrial solvents are an option being provided to companies that typically use cleaning agents to operate their business.

Organic Solvents Eliminate Many Health Problems Caused by Toxic Substances

Organic solvents have been designed to reduce the hazards commonly associated with agents such as trichloroethylene. Common agents are known for resulting in many health conditions if used inappropriately. Inhalation, direct eye contact, and skin absorption all provide medical complications. Eye contact with more toxic substances causes irritation, symptoms of pink eye, and in extreme cases could result in loss of sight. These substances can be absorbed through an individual's skin. A worker may be allergic to a solution or get too much into their blood stream. Skin rashes or burns are a sign of this problem. Workers who inhale or swallow a cleaning solution are the largest concern.

An agent will typically evaporate quickly, leaving no trail of its presence. Inhaled chemicals work through the blood stream at a fast pace. Initial signs are a headache, dizziness, upset stomach, drowsiness, and an irritated throat. Prolonged inhalation can be quite dangerous, even fatal, to internal organs. Certain solvents have been directly associated with cancer. Fire, pollution, and explosions are additional concerns when handling industrial cleaners.

Solvents are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency. OSHA standards require businesses to inform all employees of possible hazards associated with the chemicals they handle. Every substance must have a label with handling instructions and potential risks. Each company using them must also provide training to their employees. The EPA also regulates these substances to protect the environment. Regulations attempt to reduce the use of harmful chemicals.

Organic solvents can reduce some of the OSHA and EPA requirements put on a business using these substances. They provide the same cleaning power without the high risk of health problems. Volatile Organic Compounds are one concern any business should have when selecting an agent. Products with lower VOCs are available and reduce overall toxicity. These chemicals are less flammable, offer reduced harm to the surface being cleaned, and do not have the intense handling risks. Businesses are turning to safe industrial solvents to prevent the aftereffects of using extremely toxic cleaning chemicals.

Health problems are a top reason for any business to consider switching to safe industrial solvents. Organic solvents clean effectively without harming people or the environment.

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Industrial Solvents: Safer Alternatives for Businesses

ByTimothy Byron

Industrial agents are sometimes used to extract a liquid from surfaces. Solvents can be found in automotive, manufacturing, and contracting industries. Industrial solvents are designed for heavy duty removal. They are typically more toxic than what might be seen in a home environment. Liquid extraction is a process that separates liquids through solubility. This can be accomplished through a chemical reaction in a laboratory setting or by dissolving one substance into another. Solvent extraction is another name for this process when referring to surface or equipment cleaning.

Usage of solvents is common in multiple processing industries as well as others. Distribution ratios are quoted to inform handlers of dissolving measurements. Several elements assist with the determination of this ratio, including temperature and chemical makeup. Not all solvents require a chemical reaction to absorb or remove the desired substance. Some can be directly absorbed without any other process taking place. What must be used by a business environment greatly depends on the type of cleaning being performed.

Degreasers: What Are the Choices?

Degreasers are used to extract materials on a smaller scale. They can be found in aviation, electronic, maintenance, manufacturing, military, and energy environments. Environmentally safe alternatives are available for these industries. Contact cleaners, semi-aqueous solvents, surface preparation, and cleaning agents for specific parts all have organic counterparts that provide safer usage along with less environmental harm.

Non-organic agents have been used for a long time. The risks of these chemicals have become more apparent with their popularity growth. Due to health problems stemming from environmental contamination, older products are slowly making an exit. Organic solvents are an alternative provided by solution manufacturers. Businesses are finding they are highly effective and cost less. They do not harm the materials being cleaned, as opposed to traditional cleaners. Products with lower volatile compound levels provide safer working conditions.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to find an effective non-hazardous chemical. Many providers recommend following a scale to avoid using a more toxic chemical than is necessary. By finding ways to keep the part cleaner, cleaning can be minimal or eliminated. Water-based agents are effective in some instances and work well when combined with high pressure cleaning. Non-halogenated degreasers or non-ozone depleting agents are the next best option. The versatility of available options makes it easier for a business to choose the safest agent possible for a cleaning solution.

Many industries cannot do without industrial solvents because machines and parts naturally get dirty. Today, these industries can choose between safer alternatives designed to clean parts, without the high risk. A reduced toxicity product can be applied through typical methods, such as splash or immersion cleaning. Vapor or steam degreasing can also be completed with these products. They require a smaller amount of ventilation, are easier to dispose, and offer the same efficiency.

Volatile organic compounds might not be avoidable with these substances; however, a company can select a less volatile cleaner capable of completing the cleaning. Artificial solvents are not the only option businesses have these days. Multiple industries are considering stepping away from traditional substances to increase the safety of their operations.

Newer options to common industrial solvents are obtainable by businesses today. These degreasers and solutions provide more cleaning benefits, along with reduced usage expenses.

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Green Solvents: Why Ignoring These Cleaners Is a Bad Idea

ByTimothy Byron

The disposal of industrial cleaning waste can be expensive to a business. It is a necessary measure required by many industries dealing in parts, machinery, and refinishing processes. Green products are one way to reduce the overall cost of disposal when using cleaners in a business environment. These solvents do not produce the extremely hazardous byproducts businesses struggle to safely take care of after usage. Used solvents are considered to be a hazardous material with special handling specifications.

The disposal instructions can be found on the container housing the solvent. Non-toxic cleaners simplify the disposal process and pose less harm to workers. Unsafe chemicals can seep into the soil, enter the atmosphere, and make their way into significant waterways. This can lead to plant, water, and air contamination directly affecting all living life on the planet. While industrial cleaners are necessary for many processes, green solvents are available to reduce the hazards they incur on the environment.

Industrial Solvent: Advantages of Choosing Eco-Friendly Cleaners

Industrial solvents are used by various industries to clean oil, dirt, grime, and other particles off surfaces. These particles attach to the cleaning agent for quick and easy removal. Businesses have relied on them for many years to complete processes such as painting or equipment cleaning. The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, has continually added regulations to reduce the release of vapors and hazardous byproducts.

Many companies using traditional substances are reluctant to change over to safer chemicals. They have developed dependable relationships with their suppliers to achieve lower pricing and familiarity with their business. These solvents have a proven performance record. Business owners often fear organic products will not be able to produce the same results. Organic cleaning providers can offer the same great business relationship, in addition to equaling the performance of the regular brand substances. For those companies still debating the switch, it can be worthwhile to continue current supplier relationships while trying out an equivalent non-toxic product.

A business must consider the costs associated with using toxic chemicals for cleaning. They require increased handling precaution, pose immense risks to employees, are sometimes highly flammable, and leave behind a large mess. Biodegradable organic substances pose no harm to the environment. They can drastically decrease associated clean-up costs and reduce employee health risks. Not all products are completely safe during handling because some emit their own vapors called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs); however, many effective cleaners are available with low vapor release counts.

Safer cleaners offer multiple advantages to a business other than having less expensive disposal. Using green solvents allows a company to avoid dealing with mandatory EPA switches resulting from chemical bans. These chemicals do not cause the large amount of corrosion often seen with traditional solvents. They have been proven to preserve parts longer than toxic cleaners. Toxic chemical exposure is one of the leading causes for employee health problems. By eliminating this risk, a business can cut down insurance costs and on complications caused by development of long-term health conditions. Breakthrough solvents have been made available to perform equivalent cleaning and offer these among many other benefits to industrial facilities.

Companies like to stick with a working industrial solvent, but in doing so pay more than what is required for reliable cleaning. Green solvents can reduce clean-up, usage, and purchasing expenses.

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