Number
359-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Manufacture of rubber products
Manufacture of plastics products, including compounding and conversion
Function
Cleaning agent
Other
Process
Other
Product category
washing ad cleaning products
Application
Acrylate plastic
Abstract
For cleaning of mixing tubes after polymerisation of acrylate plastic, a company used dichloromethane. A process in which the mixing tubes are cleaned with hot water (90° C) in a high-pressure washing system has now been introduced as an alternative.
Substituted substances
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).
Ethyl acetate
CAS No. 141-78-6 EC No. 205-500-4 Index No. 607-022-00-5
Chemical group
Carboxylic acid esters
Classification: hazard statements
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
CMR
skin/respiratory sensitizing
physical hazards
neurotoxicant
Other type of alternative
Pressurised hot water. Ethyl acetate is now only used, but in minor amounts.
Hazard Assessment
Substances to be substituted: Dichloromethane is classified as suspected of causing cancer). It is hazardous according to SUBSPORTplus database on hazardous chemicals (SDSC) Ethyl acetate is a highly flammable liquid and vapour, causes serious eye irritation and may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Alternative substance: Ethyl acetate is still used, but in very small amounts.
Description of Substitution
After polymerisation of acrylic plastic it is necessary to clean the mixing vessel and other containers used. Previously this kind of cleaning was made with dichloromethane, but years ago this substance was replaced with ethyl acetate. Now the company has managed to introduce a method that cleans the mixing vessel by using 90º C hot water in a high-pressure washer. All the stainless mixing vessels are now cleaned this way. Before the wash water is discharged, it is filtered to make sure that no residual ingredients of partially polymerised acrylic are discharged into the surroundings. It is still necessary to carry out cleaning with ethyl acetate, but the introduction of the new method has resulted in a significant reduction of the use of ethyl acetate for cleaning purposes.
Case/substitution evaluation
Dichloromethane has been fully substituted by hot water, and the use of ethyl acetate has been significantly reduced. Risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals has been reduced for employees and environment. A primarily mechanical method has substituted the use of chemical cleaning agents, which in this case is beneficial for both employees and environment. Nevertheless, the aim should be to completely eliminate the danger posed by chemicals.
State of implementation
In use
Date and place of implementation
2004 Denmark
Availability ofAlternative
On the market
Type of information supplier
User
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021