Number

162-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

A small and medium sized service station has substituted a typical brake cleaner with a new equipment using heated tap water. The heated tap water (95°C) is used for the cleaning of lorry and van drum brakes from mud, dust and sand for repair and maintenance purposes.

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

other toxic effects
physical hazards
CMR

Hazard Assessment

Substances to be substituted: Naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated heavy may cause cancer cat. 1B, 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). Propan-2-ol is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Alternative substance: The alternative product is tap water heated to 95 °C, which can be considered harmless from a chemical point of view. However, it can cause burns if it comes into contact with the skin.

Description of Substitution

The thorough cleaning of car brakes is very important as residual dirt can impair brake functioning. A typical brake cleaner available in spray cans contains: 50 - 80% special short chain hydrocarbons (special fuel) plus 20 - 40% propan-2-ol. Some manufacturers use besides special fuel and alcohol up to 20% acetone, while others accept only special fuel. The sprayed cleaner dissolves the surface dirt, picks it up and flushes it away. The brake dust remains in the collection bin or on the ground. It is disposed of with a brush or by compressed air. The emission rate of the solvent is (apart from incomplete evaporation) about 100%. Inhalative exposure of employees is due to hydrocarbon vapours and aerosols, skin is affected due to contact with degreasing solvents. A repair station substituted a typical brake cleaner (volatile hydrocarbons in spray cans) with a new mobile cleaning equipment using heated tap water. The heated tap water (95°C) is applied by low pressure spraying to clean mud, dust and sand from lorry and van drum brakes for repair and maintenance purposes. The reasons to change from the sprayed hydrocarbon cleaner to the hot water system were safety and health concerns of employees (fire and explosion risk, skin contact and inhalation of dangerous substances) as well as environmental concerns (emissions of VOC into the air). The high water temperature in the alternative process ensures good cleaning effects on deposits of accumulated oil, brake dust and at the same time a rapid drying of the brake. The brake dirt is bound by the water and the washed dirt goes into a collecting tank where it settles and then is disposed of as sludge. According to garage technicians the small volumes of waste are disposed of with other waste. The mobile wash stand is also equipped with a circulation system for the cleaning water and a filtration unit.

Case/substitution evaluation

A product containing a hazardous carcinogen can be substituted with a tap water, a considerably safer solution. Accordingly, it is a successful substitution of hazardous substances with a non-hazardous substance.

State of implementation

In use

Date and place of implementation

2003 in Germany

Availability ofAlternative

on the market

Producer/Provider

http://www.ph-cleantec.de

Type of information supplier

User

Further information

You will find more information in the Cleantool-Database: www2.cleantool.org

Date, reviewed

November 26, 2021