| Solvents are liquids and gases that can dissolve | | | | the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system. |
| another liquid, gas or solid to make a solution. | | | | There are many precautions that can be taken in |
| Industrial solvents are often mixtures of several | | | | the work environment to make it a safer place |
| different substances and, for safety reasons, it is | | | | for handling solvents. |
| important to understand their properties. Solvents | | | | MSDS information must be available for all |
| have an enormous variety of uses in a great | | | | solvents in use. |
| number of industries, from engineering to the | | | | - All containers should be completely labeled. |
| manufacture of products ranging from shoes to | | | | - Employees must be trained how to safely |
| textiles, rubber, paints, and plastics to | | | | handle these chemicals. |
| pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, and ink. Some | | | | - All solvents should be stored safely and with |
| commonly used solvents are: | | | | consideration of the properties of each. |
| - toluene and turpentine, which are used in paint | | | | - Steps should be taken to eliminate all ignition |
| thinners | | | | sources. |
| - tetrachloroethylene which is used in dry cleaning | | | | - No Smoking, No Open Flame Signs must be |
| - acetone, methyl and ethyl acetate used in nail | | | | posted in appropriate areas. |
| polish remover and glue solvents | | | | - Safe distance limits should be maintained |
| - hexane used in spot removers | | | | between areas of solvent use and any ignition |
| - Trichloroethylene which is a degreaser and is | | | | source. |
| often found in spot removers and typewriter | | | | Control static electricity sources: |
| correction fluid | | | | - Grounding of equipment |
| You have probably used solvents without being | | | | - Bonding of tanks and vessels |
| aware of what they were. Just browse through | | | | Provide maximum ventilation to diffuse solvent |
| the laundry room or your cleaning supplies at | | | | vapors by evaluating: |
| home and you may encounter: | | | | - The amount of solvent used |
| - Alcohol | | | | - The size of area where solvents are needed |
| - Acetone | | | | - Evaluate the rate of solvent useEvaluate the |
| - Turpentine | | | | rate of solvent evaporation |
| Some flammable solvents produce vapors and | | | | To improve ventilation, take the following steps: |
| mists that are highly volatile, as well as toxic, and | | | | - Keep doors and windows open where possible |
| can explode at room temperature, without an | | | | - Use hoods in work areas |
| ignition source. Since these vapors are heavier | | | | - Use forced ventilation |
| than air, they sink to the floor or ground and can | | | | - Maintain an appropriate work temperature - a |
| travel, undiluted, long distances. Vapors may | | | | cooler temperature decreases solvent volatility. |
| move toward a distant ignition source such as a | | | | - Employees should report all defective or |
| spark from a motor, welding or a generator of | | | | damaged equipment or ventilation failure promptly. |
| static electricity. Objects such as steam pipes, | | | | - On-going Employee Training in the safe handling |
| light bulbs, extinguished Bunsen burners, or a hot | | | | of solvents, spill control and containment, |
| plate can ignite the vapors of some volatile | | | | emergency response and first aid procedures, use |
| solvents. | | | | of fire extinguishers and personal protective |
| Health Hazards of Solvents | | | | equipment must be provided. |
| Because they are so widely used, exposure to | | | | - Maintain an adequate amount of personal |
| solvents is one of the most common chemical | | | | protective equipment, spill kits and supplies to |
| health risks at work. Many solvents evaporate | | | | contain and clean up solvent spills. |
| quickly and have no color or odor and you could | | | | - An emergency eyewash station should be near |
| inhale the vapors without even knowing it. Others | | | | the work area. |
| have a sweet, pleasant odor; while some, like | | | | - Use minimal amounts of solvents when working. |
| chloroform, have a distinctive smell. Inhaling | | | | - Dispose of waste solvents and their containers |
| solvents can make you lightheaded, cause blurred | | | | as hazardous waste. |
| vision and tremors. Prolonged exposure from | | | | - Establish safe handling, loading and unloading |
| work with solvents may cause skin or eye | | | | procedures for tank trucks, railroad cars, and |
| irritation, which could lead to blindness. Long term | | | | docks. |
| exposure has resulted in permanent damage to | | | | |