Substitution of a neurotoxic solvent that contained acetates and acetone used in the cleaning of metal parts

Number

059-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Sector

General manufacturing, e.g. machinery, equipment, vehicles, other transport equipment

Function

Solvent

Process

Manual activities involving hand contact
Other

Product category

Metal surface treatment products

Application

Degreasing of drive chains (in h car industry)

Abstract

A company specialized in the manufacture of parts and accessories for cars used a solvent based on butyl acetate, acetone and acetates used for the degreasing of metal parts. The trade union?s (CC.OO.) health and safety department in Valencia (Spain) detected the neurotoxicants which implied serious damages to workers? health and safety. After a process of negotiation with the employers the solvent was replaced by a safer product based on potassium hydroxide, n-propanol and ethyl acetate.

Substituted substances

Acetone

CAS No. 67-64-1 EC No. 200-662-2 Index No. 606-001-00-8

Chemical group

Ketones

Classification: hazard statements

H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H319 Causes serious eye irritation

n-Butyl acetate

CAS No. 123-86-4 EC No. 204-658-1 Index No. 607-025-00-1

Chemical group

Carboxylic acid esters

Classification: hazard statements

H226 Flammable liquid and vapour
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness

Ethyl acetate

CAS No. 141-78-6 EC No. 205-500-4 Index No. 607-022-00-5

Chemical group

Carboxylic acid esters

Classification: hazard statements

H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H319 Causes serious eye irritation

Water

CAS No. 7732-18-5 EC No. 231-791-2 Index No.

Chemical group

Non-metal oxides

Alternative Substances

Potassium hydroxide

CAS No. 1310-58-3 EC No. 215-181-3 Index No. 019-002-00-8

Chemical group

Potassium compounds; hydroxides

Classification: hazard statements

H302 Harmful if swallowed
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage

Tetrasodium pyrophosphate

CAS No. 7722-88-5 EC No. 231-767-1 Index No.

Chemical group

Sodium compounds; diphosphates

n-Propanol

CAS No. 71-23-8 EC No. 200-746-9 Index No. 603-003-00-0

Chemical group

Alcohols

Classification: hazard statements

H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H318 Causes serious eye damage

Ethyl acetate

CAS No. 141-78-6 EC No. 205-500-4 Index No. 607-022-00-5

Chemical group

Carboxylic acid esters

Classification: hazard statements

H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H319 Causes serious eye irritation

Reliability of information

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

Reason substitution

neurotoxicant

Hazard Assessment

Substituted substances.

Acetone is irritating for eyes (R36). It is a neurotoxicant: its vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness (R67) and also skin dryness or cracking (R66).

n-Butyl acetate is highly flammable. It is a neurotoxicant: its vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness (R67) and also skin dryness or cracking (R66).

Alternative substances

Potassium hydroxide is harmful if swallowed (R22) and causes severe burns (R35).

n-Propanol vaporous may cause drowsiness and dizziness (R67). The substance is highly flammable ( H225) and causes serious damage to the eyes (R41)

Though the alternative has risks, these are much less important and the safety is improved.

Description of Substitution

Damage to the reproductive system, pregcy and breast-feeding hazards are among the many widespread risks that toxic chemicals involve for workers. Union (CC.OO.) health and safety departments coordinated by ISTAS carried out a project for the prevention and control of such chemicals (Reprotox), aimed at identifying toxic substances at workplaces and based on workers? information and substitution by safer alternatives.

Within the scope of this project the trade union?s health and safety department carried out a study to identify chemicals which implied reproductive hazards in companies.

Substitution was implemented in a company specialized in the manufacture of automobile parts. Through the safety data sheets union experts detected the use of a solvent based on butyl acetate, acetone and acetates which are neurotoxicants and volatile organic compounds.

The solvent was used in the degreasing of pulley chains in a 12-litre tank. The degreasing process was carried out manually in an open environment without air extraction.

Once workers were informed about the health hazards caused by the use of the product they demanded its substitution. Employers were favourable to the elimination of the product due largely to the fact that they provided parts and accessories to Ford, a company with occupational health and environmental policies on purchased products.

Shortly afterwards the company proposes an alternative detergent product called BioForce 6R. This product is diluted in water and contains less hazardous solvents which avoid many risks. It is based on potassium hydroxide, n-propanol and ethyl acetate.

Case/substitution evaluation

Although health risks have reduced significantly, potassium hydroxide is harmful by ingestion and propanol can cause serious eye damage, so the alternative product must be handled carefully and appropriate protective measures must be observed.