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Solvents
What are solvents?
Solvents are chemical substances used to dissolve or disperse other substances. They can be inorganic or organic. While water—the most common solvent in everyday use—is an inorganic solvent, most solvent-based products contain organic solvents. These products include paints, varnishes, lacquers, adhesives, glues, and degreasing/cleaning products, and organic solvents are also used in the production of dyes, polymers, plastics, textiles, printing inks, agricultural products and pharmaceuticals.
Organic solvents may be comprised of many different classes of chemicals, including aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, amines, esters, ethers, ketones, and nitrated or chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Most organic solvents are combustible, and many are highly volatile and extremely flammable (except for those containing chlorine). Flammable solvents that produce vapors heavier than air are especially hazardous because they are able to move along the ground to distant ignition sources like welding sparks or static electricity. Solvents containing chlorine can be identified by a chemical name including “chlor” (for example, methylene chloride, perchloroethylene) or by the manufacturer’s Material Safety Data Sheet or product label.
Solvents in the workplace
Solvents are one of the most widely used—and dangerous--substances in the workplace. Health effects arising from long-term exposure to certain organic solvents include damage to the central nervous system, heart, liver and kidneys, possible cancer and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Some ways to reduce the risk of exposure are:
- Eliminate solvent use when possible, or use a less toxic or less volatile alternative. Eliminating solvents, using less solvent, and substituting a less toxic alternative may also reduce costs, regulatory requirements, worker exposure risks, and environmental liability.
- Read and understand the product’s Material Safety Data Sheet, or MSDS, before working with any solvent.
- Wear personal protective equipment, or PPE.Avoid exposures to lungs, skin and eyes by using proper personal protective equipment.
- Control vapors. Avoid exposure to solvent vapors by working in a well-ventilated area. Use an enclosed process to reduce vapors and keep storage containers tightly closed. Store and dispose of solvents properly.
Solvents in households
Some products used for household maintenance and cleaning contain organic solvents (typically used as a carrier, thinner or remover). If the product contains solvents, it is important to read the manufacturer’s label for information on how to use, store and dispose of the product safely.
Products that contain organic solvents often
- harden or evaporate rapidly from the surface to which they are appled, such as a polishes and waxes
- give off a strong "solvent" odor, such as gasoline and kerosene
- contain petroleum distillates
- have a “flammable” warning on the label, or
- have a warning on the label that says breathing vapors may be harmful.
Household products with a high percentage of organic solvent include furniture stripper, turpentine, charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinner, nail polish remover and degreasers. Other products, such as furniture oils, polishes, wax, shoe care products, spot removers, glues/adhesives, paints, and wood finishes, use a combination of organic solvent, water and/or detergent.
Exposure to organic solvents can be reduced by using the least toxic product appropriate for the job. Often these are products labeled “Caution” or “Warning” rather than “Danger” or “Poison”. Water-based adhesives, cleaners, paints and finishes can often be substituted for solvent-based ones, as can cleaning with ‘elbow grease’ or other manual methods. In summary, substituting a less toxic product and using the least amount of solvent required will reduce exposure to organic solvents.
Resources
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/index.html
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences
http://solvdb.ncms.org/solvdb.htm
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/
Toxics Use Reduction Institute · Surface Solutions Laboratory
http://www.cleanersolutions.org/
Washington State Department of Labor and Industries – Solvent Safety
http://wisha-training.lni.wa.gov/training/presentations/Solventsafety1.pps
For more information contact Taylor Watson, Health and Environmental Investigator, at taylor.watson@kingcounty.gov.
