Number

010-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

A textile company used “Superfluide P”, a product containing perchloroethylene (also known as tetrachloroethylene) for garment cleaning and in the maintenance service. After the intervention of a trade union health and safety expert the product was replaced by a safer alternative containing isoalkanes C11-C15.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication

Reason substitution

skin/respiratory sensitizing

Hazard Assessment

Substance to be substituted: Tetrachloroethylene is a carcinogen cat. 2A according to IARC. It is also endocrine disruptor cat. 2 (EU EDC database), as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substance: 3,5,7-Trimethyldecane is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database and has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation) . » Check the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC)

Description of Substitution

This substitution experience was included in the Project “Prevention of exposure to endocrine disruptors in the textile industry” developed by the Trade Union’s Textile, leather, chemical and related industries federation (CC.OO.) in different regions of Spain between 2007-2008. The first step was to compile safety data sheets of chemicals used by the industry. Information was provided by safety representatives and the management. Risk assessments were performed, which included general information. The use of perchloroethylene was revealed by these documents. The second action included a visit to observe the use of chemicals, especially perchloroethylene. The product Superfluid P was used in the cleaning of some garments and in the maintenance service. Workers that cleaned with perchloroethylene decanted the chemical from 5-litre containers into dispensers without any preventive measure. The product was applied directly on garments and sometimes they used an insulation box, made by the head of maintenance to “isolate” the process. Among 65 workers, the only personal protection equipment was a mask, worn by the 5 workers that directly used perchloroethylene. As a result of the use of perchloroethylene workers presented a series of symptoms, particularly dizziness. The trade union health and safety expert informed the safety representatives and the managers about the dangers of perchloroethylene and suggested its substitution and the isolation of the process. The health and safety department approved the substitution of the product. The new chemical is an isoalkane. The substitution process also helped to raise awareness inside the company on the need to guarantee proper personal protection equipment for workers. The action also created a connection between safety reps and managers. Motivation for substitution Perchloroethylene is classified as a suspected carcinogen (category 3 according to DSD or category 2 according to CLP). Workers were not informed about the dangers of the product and the preventive measures necessary to protect their health. Personal protection equipment did not cover all workers and the product was handled without the adequate protection measures. Advantages Risk reduction, cleaner production, use of safer products and better compliance with applicable legislation.

Case/substitution evaluation

In many instances, companies prefer to spend effort and money in the implementation of protective measures to dangerous chemical (like isolation or personal protection). From this experience we can learn that the best solution is to substitute the dangerous substance instead. This case study contains a current and successful substitution of a high toxic substance with an alternative which has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).

State of implementation

In use

Date and place of implementation

2008 in Spain

Availability ofAlternative

On the market

Type of information supplier

User

Further information

Date, reviewed

December 11, 2020