Substitution of “white spirit” in piece degreasing with a biological system.

Number

181-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Sector

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

Function

Solvent

Process

Manual maintenance(cleaning and repair) of machinery

Product category

washing ad cleaning products

Application

Cleaning of dishwasher parts

Abstract

A dishwasher factory of the company BSH España substituted the solvent “white spirit” used as degreaser during a metal cleaning process with a biological cleaning system named Enviro Wash. White spirit is a petroleum-based solvent which is carcinogenic and mutagenic. The biological cleaning system uses safer non-ionic surfactants.

Substituted substances

Naphtha, low boiling point unspecified, stoddard solvent

CAS No. 8052-41-3 EC No. 232-489-3 Index No. 649-345-00-4

Chemical group

Hydrocarbons

Classification: hazard statements

H350 May cause cancer
H340 May cause genetic defects
H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure

Alternative Substances

Non ionic surfactants

CAS No. EC No. Index No.

Chemical group

Surfactants

Reliability of information

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

Reason substitution

CMR

Other type of alternative

Biological degreasing system

Hazard Assessment

Substance to be substituted: Naphtha, low boiling point, unspecified may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways, may cause genetic defects, may cause cancer and causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. The substance is a category 1B carcinogen and a category 1B mutagen (CLP Regulation). Alternative substance: Non-ionic surfactants have no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation) and are not listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC)

Description of Substitution

A dishwasher factory of the company Bosch Siemens in Spain decided to replace the solvent used for cleaning parts, "white spirit", as it generated odours and hazardous waste and increased the risk of fire. The product also contained naphtha, which is a carcinogen. The solvent was replaced by an alternative cleaning process named "Enviro Wash". Technical description The system is based on biological degreasing that uses a product named "Specinet bio-fluide". Its main ingredient is a non-ionic surfactant. The product is used in a biological degreasing tank provided with an enzymatic filter. It uses a mixture of bacteria which release an enzyme to produce the degradation and break down of the hydrocarbons molecules (oil, vegetable and animal fats). Cleaning process: Hydrocarbons + water + enzymes = carbon dioxide + water The tank is provided with a thermostat to keep a working temperature of 40°C. Advantages - Cleaning efficiency is not reduced with use. - Non-toxic, non-caustic, non-flammable. - Safe cleaning fluid, which implies the absence of costs for waste disposal. - Working temperature: 40°C. - Workers need no special protective equipment. - Elimination of odours.