Number
014-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
Metal surface treatment products
Application
Degreasing of tools
Abstract
This case study describes the substitution of Safety Clean (a universal solvent consisting of toluene, xylene, naphtha and other ingredients). The degreasing agent was used in a garage for cleaning work tools.
Substituted substances
Toluene
CAS No. 108-88-3 EC No. 203-625-9 Index No. 601-021-00-3
Chemical group
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Classification: hazard statements
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H361d Suspected of damaging the unborn child
H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H315 Causes skin irritation
Xylene
CAS No. 1330-20-7 EC No. 215-535-7 Index No. 601-022-00-9
Chemical group
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Classification: hazard statements
H226 Flammable liquid and vapour
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H312 Harmful in contact with skin
H315 Causes skin irritation
Naphtha, hydrotreated light
CAS No. 64742-49-0 EC No. 265-151-9 Index No. 649-328-00-1
Chemical group
Hydrocarbons
Classification: hazard statements
H350 May cause cancer
H340 May cause genetic defects
H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
Acetone
CAS No. 67-64-1 EC No. 200-662-2 Index No. 606-001-00-8
Chemical group
Ketones
Classification: hazard statements
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
n-Butyl acetate
CAS No. 123-86-4 EC No. 204-658-1 Index No. 607-025-00-1
Chemical group
Carboxylic acid esters
Classification: hazard statements
H226 Flammable liquid and vapour
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
4-Methylpentan-2-one
CAS No. 108-10-1 EC No. 203-550-1 Index No. 606-004-00-4
Chemical group
Ketones
Classification: hazard statements
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H351 Suspected of causing cancer
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Other adverse effects
The substance is: 2B carcinogen (IARC) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
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
other toxic effects
Hazard Assessment
Substances to be substituted: Toluene an Acetone are not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Naphtha, hydrotreated light may cause genetic defects and may cause cancer and listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC) Xylene is flammable liquid and vapour, harmful in contact with skin, causes skin irritation and is harmful if inhaled. The substance is: 3 carcinogen (IARC) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). » Check the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC) n-Butyl acetate is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. 4-Methylpentan-2-one is 2B carcinogen, according to the IARC Monographs, and is listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substances: The alternative non ionic surfactants are not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. » Check the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC)
Description of Substitution
The substituted product was used in a garage and maintenance operation as a solvent for the manual degreasing of tools. It was delivered by the manufacturer in plastic buckets. Although the work area had restraint facilities and personal protective equipment was made available to workers, the use of the solvent posed an unnecessary environmental and health risk. The use of hazardous, carcinogenic and neurotoxic chemicals has been approved by the Regional Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Trade Union (CC. OO. ) uncovered. Trade union experts visited the premises and requested the safety data sheets for all products used in the company, in particular those of solvents. They found that the solvent in question contained toluene, xylene, naphtha and other toxic substances. During the first visit to the company, the Head of Occupational Safety and Health committed himself to substituting the product. Specinet Bio Fluid (a non-ionic surfactant-based product) was proposed as a replacement and introduced in all areas of the company's operations after testing the applicability of the product. Advantages Risks have been reduced and environmental quality improved. The alternative was accepted by employees and employers alike. The time required for the substitution process was reasonable. Additional comments Trade union advice was a decisive factor in the success of the substitution process.
Case/substitution evaluation
Substitution is very positive: risks to human health and the environment have been eliminated. Since the replacement product can cause eye irritation, preventive measures are also necessary.
State of implementation
In use
Date and place of implementation
2006 in Spain
Availability of Alternative
Substitution product on sale by Fuchs Petrolub SE.
Producer/Provider
Type of information supplier
User
Further information
Specinet Bio Fluid https://www.fuchs.com/fr/en/special/product/product/36841-specinet-bio-fluide-sw3-bv/ https://www.fuchs.com/fr/en/special/product/product/36908-specinet-bio-fluide-sw6-br/
Date, reviewed
December 11, 2020