Number

113-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

In a study performed for the Danish EPA, several alternatives to solvents were tested including anti freezing protein. It was possible to formulate washers with a lower alcohol percentage, thereby reducing the emission of solvents.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reason substitution

skin/respiratory sensitizing

Hazard Assessment

Substances to be substituted: Both ethanol and propan-2-ol is highly flammable. Propan-2-ol causes serious eye irritation and may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Ethanol is: 1 carcinogen (IARC), just in alcoholic beverages as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substances: There is no further information about the alternative.

Description of Substitution

The emission of ethanol from windscreen washers in Denmark was estimated to 4,500 tons per year (2010). This estimate is based on the assumption that a windscreen washer contains around 30 % ethanol. The objective of this project was to find alternatives with higher boiling points resulting in lower evaporation. The objective also was to test an alternative technology using an antifreezing protein found in fish and beetles. Fish as well as insects synthesise anti-freezing proteins that can recognise ice surfaces, attach to them and stop the growth of the ice. The most effective anti-freezing protein is found in a beetle and can reduce growth of ice with up to eight degrees Celsius. The study did not deal with nanomaterials. Commercial windscreen washers contains alcohols (ethanol, propane-2-ol), in some cases glycol (in one case ethylene glycol) , additives like salt and surface active compounds, perfume and water. The investigation of the antifreezing protein showed that it had very little effect on mixtures with really low freezing points. At temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius below zero the proteins seem to have an effect on the freezing point. The amount of synthesised protein was not enough to perform more tests and therefore the investigation is non-conclusive concerning this point. The investigation concludes that it was possible to reduce the alcohol/solvent content of the windscreen washers to 20-25% assuming that the product is optimised with regard to surface active compounds and other additives that influence the cleaning effect and the melting point of the fluid. It is possible to formulate windscreen washers with other compositions than the current, without tendency to destruct the materials, corrosion or loss of gloss.

Case/substitution evaluation

Both ethanol and propane-2-ol are highly flammable and large amounts evaporate to the surroundings. The study suggests that solvents might be substituted or partly substituted by enzymes. Further investigation is needed. However, replacing these two dangerous substances with a protein is an important step in this industry.

Type of information supplier

Authority
Research

Type of publication and availability

Free. Abstract in English. Otherwise in Danish

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

Eva Wahlström, Enpro, Reduktion af Voc-emissioner ved brug af sprinklervæske, Arbejdsrapport fra Miljøstyrelsen, no 6, 2011.

Publication source

Type of publication and availability

http://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publikationer/2011/12/978-87-92779-63-2.pdf

Date, reviewed

December 11, 2020