Number

310-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

A mixture of propylene carbonate and benzyl alcohol was selected as the best option out of sixty five potential alternatives to butanone (methyl ethyl ketone - MEK) in a military maintenance workshop. MEK was used to clean painting equipment used for epoxy and polyurethane paints. The alternative mixture is less flammable and volatile than MEK.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

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

Reason substitution

skin/respiratory sensitizing
other toxic effects
physical hazards

Hazard Assessment

Substance to be substituted: Butanone is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Alternative substances: Propylene carbonate (PC) is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database and has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). Benzyl alcohol (BA) is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database.

Description of Substitution

MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) was used in many workshops of the US marine rangers to clean the paint application equipment after using it. Sixty five solvents and mixtures were tested as possible substitutes, in a programme for VOC reduction, coordinated by the Environmental Agency (US EPA). The workshops painted vehicles by using epoxy resins and polyurethane. The alternative needed to be able to clean off these types of paint while being compatible with the metal and plastic parts of the painting equipment. Five solvents were initially selected. The alternative that gave the best results in the final tests was a mixture of 40 % de propylene carbonate (PC) and 60 %benzyl alcohol (BA). Cleaning was done at least three times a day, after the change of colour and at the end of each work shift. The efficacy tests showed that the CP&BA mixture was equivalent to MEK for cleaning the remains of polyurethane paint and better than MEK for cleaning epoxy paints. The alternative mixture was only 3% more expensive than MEK. The cost could be lowered because the supplier of the alternative agreed to recover the wasted mixture, while the used MEK was managed as hazardous waste. The substitution case is extracted from a report (point 4.4.3) about the properties, hazards and use of propylene carbonate as possible alternative to various solvents (see Information supplier).

Case/substitution evaluation

The substitution does not imply changes in technology . The use of alternative reduces significantly the risk of fire and explosion. PC has a much higher flash point (over 100 ^oC) compared to MEK that has a flash point below 0⁰C. It also has a much lower vapour tension compared to MEK, being therefore less volatile and generating much lower levels of VOC emissions.

State of implementation

In use

Date and place of implementation

USA

Availability ofAlternative

The alternative is available on the market

Type of information supplier

Research

Contact

IRSST  Canada,   http://www.irsst.qc.ca/media/documents/PubIRSST/B-070.pdf

Further information

Benzyl alcohol MSDS from Sigma AldrichElion, J.M.; Flanagan, J.B.; Turner, J.H.; Hanley, J.T.; Hill, E.A. (1996) 'Pollution Prevention Demonstration and Evaluation of Paint Application Equipment and Alternatives to Methylene Chloride and Methyl Ethyl Ketone' Performed by Research Triangle Institute (Research Triangle Park, NC) for United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (EPA-600/R-96-117; NTIS : PB97-104632), Washington, DC

Type of publication and availability

Report freely available on internet (in French)

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

The presentation is based on the report written by  BÉGIN, Denis, Charles BEAUDRY, Michel GÉRIN. La substitution des solvants par le carbone de propylène, Rapport B-070, published on the website of  the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail- IRSST in 2005.

Publication source

Type of publication and availability

http://www.irsst.qc.ca/media/documents/PubIRSST/B-070.pdf

Date, reviewed

November 26, 2021