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Search for Successfully Implemented Alternatives

You can use the free text search function to find information in the case story database. Most suitable are: substance name and other substance identifier (EC- and CAS-number). You can refine your search after first entry for sector-, function- and process-categories. The case studies are meant to serve as source of inspiration and ideas for substitution. The alternatives are constantly being developed further. We therefore recommend that you to check in each individual case whether an alternative is suitable for your applications and purposes. If you are aware of any other relevant information that is not mentioned in the current case story, please contact SUBSPORTplus.

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Alternatives to Chromic Acid Cleaners in Laboratories

Chromic acid is widely used in many laboratories for cleaning glassware. Because of the hazards for health and environment some alternatives have been developed as commercial products, but also as laboratory-made substitutes.

Substitution of sulphuric acid with hydrochloric acid for degreasing metal before zinc and chromium plating.

Metallic coating on metal parts is often performed by galvanic processes. To achieve good-looking surfaces of good quality it is necessary to first clean the items. Earlier the company used sulphuric acid for pickling. The acid was heated and therefore some of it evaporated from the tank. By substituting sulphuric acid with hydrochloric acid pickling not only became more efficient, moreover, hydrochloric acid does not need to be heated.

Galvanic processes with acid zinc instead of cyanide zinc.

An electroplating company in Denmark made changes in the production process for galvanising. They substituted zinc cyanide by zinc chloride.

Fire-resistant and flame proof coating for polymeric thermoplastics and thermoset resins.

A surface coating consisting of fire retarding and smoke suppressing constituents dispersed in an essentially non-toxic, water based adhesive binder. The entire invention therefore consists of six different functional groups which respective functions will be explained below, the different groups are: catalyst/initiator, expendable graphite, source of carbon which additionally forms water, a blowing agent, cement and ceramics.

Alternative to formaldehyde in fluid preservation of biological specimens.

22 alternatives were assessed as alternatives to formaldehyde in preserving biological specimens. DMDM-hydantoin was regarded as a suitable alternative. DMDM-hydantoin is also used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

Ersatz von Chrom (III) durch pflanzliche Gerbmittel

Die gebräuchlichste Methode, Felle und Häute zu Leder zu gerben, war lange die Chromgerbung. Chrom wird allerdings mit negativen Auswirkungen auf die menschliche Gesundheit und die Umwelt in Verbindung gebracht. Eine gute Alternative zur Chromgerbung ist die pflanzliche Gerbung, also Gerbung durch pflanzliche Gerbmittel wie die Rinde der Silberakazie.

Phase-out of chrome (III) in tanning processes by switching to vegetable based tanning.

The most common method for tanning hides and skin into leather has long been chrome tanning. Chrome is however associated with negative effects both on human health and the environment. A good alternative to chrome based tanning is vegetable tanning using agents such as bark from the mimosa tree.

Substitution of aluminosilicate ceramic fibres in vitrification furnaces

A manufacturer of accumulators for sanitation of water used vitrification furnaces covered with fireproof ceramic fibres of aluminosilicate. These fibres are carcinogen and workers, by advice of the regional union health and safety department, demanded their substitution. Wollastonite® was chosen as an alternative product. Wollastonite is a highly resistant calcium silicate used in coating compounds as an alternative to asbestos and artificial fibres.

Substitution von Aluminosilikat-Keramikfasern in Sinteröfen

Ein Hersteller von Sammelbehältern für Abwasser verwendete Sinteröfen, die mit feuerfesten Keramikfasern aus Aluminosilikat bedeckt waren. Die Fasern sind karzinogen, und die Arbeitnehmer verlangten auf den Rat der Gesundheits- und Sicherheitsabteilung der regionalen Gewerkschaft hin ihre Substitution. Wollastonit® wurde als Alternativprodukt ausgewählt. Wollastonit ist ein hochbeständiges Calciumsilikat, das in der Ummantelung von Stoffen als eine Alternative zu Asbest oder künstlichen Fasern verwendet wird.

Substitution of perchloroethylene in dry cleaners’ shops by “wet cleaning” systems.

Perchloroethylene is used as a solvent in dry cleaning. Perchloroethylene is a very toxic substance which is both an endocrine disruptor and a neurotoxicant. Female workers affected by health problems decided to open a “wet-cleaning” shop. Wet cleaning is based on the use water, water vapour and soap for the cleaning of clothes achieving similar results as dry cleaning without health and environmental hazards.

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