Practical guide for the substitution of hazardous chemicals by less harmful substances in industrial facilities.

Number

083-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Sector

Other

Function

Other

Process

Other

Product category

other

Application

Diverse

Abstract

This guide seeks to promote and support the substitution of toxic chemicals in industry. It includes a description of substitution criteria and introduces alternatives to the different uses of 12 toxic chemicals: arsenic, cadmium, chloromethane, zinc chromate, strontium chromate, dimethylformamide, formaldehyde, hydrazine, methylglyclol, ethylglycol, perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene.

Substituted substances

Cadmium

CAS No. 7440-43-9 EC No. 231-152-8 Index No. 048-002-00-0

Chemical group

Metals

Classification: hazard statements

H250 Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air
H350 May cause cancer
H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects
H361fd Suspected of damaging fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child
H330 Fatal if inhaled
H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Other adverse effects

The substance is: 1 carcinogen (IARC) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).

N,N-dimethylformamide

CAS No. 68-12-2 EC No. 200-679-5 Index No. 616-001-00-X

Chemical group

Carboxamides

Classification: hazard statements

H360D May damage the unborn child
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H312 Harmful in contact with skin
H319 Causes serious eye irritation

Formaldehyde

CAS No. 50-00-0 EC No. 200-001-8 Index No. 605-001-00-5

Chemical group

Aldehyde

Classification: hazard statements

H350 May cause cancer
H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects
H331 Toxic if inhaled
H311 Toxic in contact with skin
H301 Toxic if swallowed
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction

Other adverse effects

The substance is: 1 carcinogen (IARC) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).

Hydrazine

CAS No. 302-01-2 EC No. 206-114-9 Index No. 007-008-00-3

Chemical group

Hydrazine and hydrazinium salts

Classification: hazard statements

H226 Flammable liquid and vapour
H350 May cause cancer
H331 Toxic if inhaled
H311 Toxic in contact with skin
H301 Toxic if swallowed
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Other adverse effects

The substance is: 2B carcinogen (IARC) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).

2-Methoxyethanol

CAS No. 109-86-4 EC No. 203-713-7 Index No. 603-011-00-4

Chemical group

Glycol ethers

Classification: hazard statements

H226 Flammable liquid and vapour
H360FD May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H312 Harmful in contact with skin
H302 Harmful if swallowed

Trichloroethylene

CAS No. 79-01-6 EC No. 201-167-4 Index No. 602-027-00-9

Chemical group

Organochloride compound, halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon

Classification: hazard statements

H350 May cause cancer
H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H315 Causes skin irritation
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Other adverse effects

The substance is: 2A carcinogen (IARC), neurotoxic cat. 4 (Vela et al.) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).

Dichloromethane

CAS No. 75-09-2 EC No. 200-838-9 Index No. 602-004-00-3

Chemical group

Chlorinated Halocarbons

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).

Arsenic

CAS No. 7440-38-2 EC No. 231-148-6 Index No. 033-001-00-X

Chemical group

Semimetals

Classification: hazard statements

H331 Toxic if inhaled
H301 Toxic if swallowed
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Other adverse effects

The substance is: 1 carcinogen (IARC), neurotoxic cat. 4 (Vela et al.) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).

Zinc chromate (VI) hydroxide

CAS No. 37300-23-5 EC No. Index No.

Chemical group

Chromates

Other adverse effects

The substance is: 1 carcinogen (IARC: chromium VI compounds), as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).

Reliability of information

Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed

Reason substitution

CMR
neurotoxicant
skin/respiratory sensitizing
physical hazards

Hazard Assessment

Substances to be substituted: Cadmium is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH restriction list, according to Article 73 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006(REACH Regulation). Dimethylformamide is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH restriction list, according to Article 73 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation). Formaldehyde may cause sensitisation by skin contact and may cause cancer, according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). It is listed in the hazardous Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Hydrazine may cause cancer according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). It fulfils the criteria to be listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). 2-Methoxyethanol is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH candidate list for authorization, according to Article 59 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006(REACH Regulation). Trichloroethylene is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH candidate list for authorization, according to Article 59 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006(REACH Regulation). Dichloromethane is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH restriction list, according to Article 73 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006(REACH Regulation). Alternative substances: There is no further information about the alternatives. » Check the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC)

Case/substitution evaluation

This case study shows an overview of 12 toxic substances. But because of the extense of the original document and that there are no further information about the alternatives, a complete evaluation is not appropriate.

Type of publication and availability

Freely available

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

Oleart Comellas, Pere; Pou Serra, Ramón; Rabassó Campi, Jordi; Sanz Gallén, Pere. Edición: Foment del Treball 2011

Publication source

Type of publication and availability

http://aetox.es/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Guia_sustitucion_Agentes_Quimicos.pdf

Date, reviewed

December 11, 2020