Number
068-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Manufacture of bulk, large scale chemicals (including petroleum products)
Building and construction work
Function
Dye
Process
Other
Product category
coatings and paints, thinners, paint removers
Application
paint in Metrostation
Abstract
Madrid?s underground metropolitan transport company (metro) decided to substitute regular plastic paints which contained titanium dioxide, xylene and toluene, by mineral paints based on barium sulfate, quartz and mica that do not represent any health or environmental hazards and require less frequent maintece.
Substituted substances
Titanium dioxide
CAS No. 13463-67-7 EC No. 236-675-5 Index No.
Chemical group
Titanium compounds; metal oxides
Classification: hazard statements
H351 Suspected of causing cancer
Other adverse effects
The substance is: 2B carcinogen (IARC) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Xylene
CAS No. 1330-20-7 EC No. 215-535-7 Index No. 601-022-00-9
Chemical group
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Classification: hazard statements
H226 Flammable liquid and vapour
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H312 Harmful in contact with skin
H315 Causes skin irritation
Toluene
CAS No. 108-88-3 EC No. 203-625-9 Index No. 601-021-00-3
Chemical group
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Classification: hazard statements
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H361d Suspected of damaging the unborn child
H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H315 Causes skin irritation
Alternative Substances
Barium sulfate
CAS No. 7727-43-7 EC No. 231-784-4 Index No. 056-002-00-7
Chemical group
Barium compounds; sulfates
Classification: hazard statements
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H302 Harmful if swallowed
Quartz
CAS No. 14808-60-7 EC No. 238-878-4 Index No.
Chemical group
Silicas
Other adverse effects
The substance is: 1 carcinogen (IARC) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Water
CAS No. 7732-18-5 EC No. 231-791-2 Index No.
Chemical group
Non-metal oxides
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
CMR
Hazard Assessment
Titanium dioxide is 2B carcinogen (IARC) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Xylene is harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin (R20/21) and also is irritanting (R38). Also it is flammable liquid and vapour ( R10 and H226)
Toluene is toxic for the reproduction: Possible risk of harm to the unborn child (R63). Also it is irritating to skin (R38) and its vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness (R67). The substance may cause lung damage if swallowed (R65). There is a danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation (R48/20). Also toluene is highly flammable liquid and vapour (H225)
Alternatives presented have no risk.
Description of Substitution
The substitution process was carried out in the company Metro Madrid. The company began a series of maintece works in several facilities and sought an enduring paint that would reduce the frequency of maintece. The paint regularly used by the company was a conventional plastic paint which contained titanium dioxide (carcinogen), xylene (neurotoxic) and toluene (toxic for reproduction) among other chemicals. The company management decided to substitute it by a mineral-based paint whose components, barium sulphate, quartz and mica are nor hazardous to human health and the environment. Water is used as solvent with these kinds of paints.
Toxic hazard was one the reasons that led to substitution. Other reasons included a higher durability and colour stability of the mineral paint, a factor that reduced the frequency of maintece tasks. The mineral paint also had a good adherence to the surface (wall) and did not become an additional coat as in the case of plastic paint. Durability and transpiration were better which prevented mould and humidity.
Substitution was implemented in 2007 and mineral paints have been used since then.
Case/substitution evaluation
Health hazards reduced significantly. The substituted product contained titanium dioxide (carcinogen), xylene (neurotoxic) and toluene (toxic for reproduction). The alternative paint does not represent any health risks but it must be taken into account that it contains liquid quartz. Quartz dust is a carcinogen recognized by IARC and SUBSPORT does not recommend it as an alternative, but it is a still a valid choice in liquid form.
State of implementation
Full capacity
Date and place of implementation
2007 Spain
Availability ofAlternative
On the market
Producer/Provider
Type of information supplier
Producer / distributor
Contact
Further information
Sicherheitsdatenblatt des Alternativprodukts KEIM SOLDALIT® https://www.keim.com/de-de/mineralische-produkte/fassadenfarben/soldalit/
Date, reviewed
February 27, 2020