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Why Replace TCE & Chlorinated Solvents?. Heidi Wilcox Surface Solutions Laboratory (SSL) Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) University of Massachusetts Lowell. NEWMOA September 28 th , 2005. Overview. Who we are & what we do TURI & SSL DOES EVERYONE KNOW US ?
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Why Replace TCE & Chlorinated Solvents? Heidi Wilcox Surface Solutions Laboratory (SSL) Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) University of Massachusetts Lowell NEWMOA September 28th, 2005
Overview • Who we are & what we do • TURI & SSL DOES EVERYONE KNOW US ? • Why TCE? • About TCE • Health • Environmental & WE regulations/thresholds • EPA/TURI Grant • Alternatives • Vapor degreasing drop-ins (solvents) • Aqueous • The Database & how SSL can Help!
Toxic Use Reduction Institute • The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) researches, tests and promotes pollution prevention and alternatives to toxic chemicals used in Massachusetts industries and communities • Came out of TUR Act of early 1990’s • Sister agency to OTA • NON REGULATORY!!!!!!
The Surface Solutions Lab (SSL) • TURI established the Surface Cleaning Laboratory • Now known as the Surface Solutions Laboratory (SSL) • Designed with the capability to evaluate the effectiveness of different cleaning chemistries and equipment for a variety of substrates and contaminants • The goal is to assist industry in the search for safer cleaning processes • By developing and promoting safer alternatives to hazardous solvents • A special focus on aqueous/semi-aqueous cleaners
The Elimination of SolventExposure in Surface Cleaning • The focus of SSL is to replace hazardous solvents with a special focus on the halogenated hydrocarbons • 30% of trials have been to replace halogenated solvents • 30% were conducted to replace other hazardous solvents • Toluene, MEK, N-methyl-2-pyrollidone, etc. • Others were contaminant driven concerns
TCE Grant- TURI/OTA EPA • Identify small, non-filing users of TCE (chlorinated solvents). Project is targeted at smaller businesses using chlorinated solvents, who may not have direct access to pollution prevention information & resources • Focus primarily on cleaning • Vapor degreasing, Immersion, Hand wipe & Others • Offer technical assistance to reduce or eliminate chlorinated solvent use • Offer compliance assistance with MACT standards • Disseminate information
Why Focus on TCE? • In 2003 the Mass Toxics Use Reductions Program (TURA) initiated a High Priority Substances Strategy (HPS) • It recognized chemicals of greatest concern in the state & aimed to reduce or eliminate them • TCE is on the TURA more Hazardous Substances list • Chemicals on the HPS were chosen based on their potential fornegative impacts on human health and the environment & their LEVEL of use in Massachusetts
What is TCE? • A GREAT METAL CLEANER??? • A FABULOUS VAPOR DEGREASER??? • AN EXCELLENT SOLVENT??? and... YES
It is Also …… • A man-made chlorinated solvent = C2HCl3 • A potentially dangerous health hazard • Identified as a high priority substance by TURA • Made the list because: • It was determined to be especially TOXIC • It was used in sufficient quantity in MA • Viable alternatives DO exist for most applications
Work Environment Problems • Hazardous solvents have been & continue to be used in cleaning applications • These chemicals pose a series of health threats or hazards for exposed workers • There exists a need to control and/or replace/substitute/eliminate such hazards • Control features are not always fool proof • Can lead to worker & environmental exposures that will cost money
Other Issues to Consider • Environmental accountability • Increasing regulation on toxic solvents • Disposal costs & other regulations • Community perception WE ARE HERE TO HELP INDUSTRY THRIVE & PROTECT WORKERS & THE ENVIRONMENT
TCE Usage Patterns • 80% = Vapor degreasing • Fabricated metal parts • Some textiles • 5% intermediate product in organic chemicals or pharmaceuticals • 5% solvent for dry-cleaning, pre and post spotting and chemical extractor • 10% exported (EPA 2004)
Sources of TCE Exposure Potential Exposure Routes • Breathing vapors at work, near a factory that makes or used TCE, off gassing from consumer products (adhesive, paint etc…) • Ingestionby eating contaminated food • Direct skin contact such as bathing or washing in contaminated water or direct • Drinking contaminated water (wastewater) Potentially 400,000 U.S. workers exposed annually (TCE fact sheet Lowell Center 2003)
Workplace Exposure Limits • OSHA • PEL = 100 ppm TWA 8-hr wk shift • 200 ppm not to be exceeded during any 15 min. work period • 300 ppm for 5 minutes in any 2-hour work period • NIOSH • REL= 25 ppm TWA 10-hour work shift • ACGIH • REL=50 ppm TWA 8-hour work shift • 100 ppm as STEL (Short Term Exposure Limit)
TCE Target Organs • Brain – headache, depression, coma • Heart – irregular heartbeat • Liver – acute chemical hepatitis cirrhosis • Kidney – tubular injury • Skin - dermatitis
Health Effects of TCE Inhalation Exposure (handout) Breathing Small Amounts CNS effects sleepiness fatigue headache confusion dizziness poor coordination loss of concentration Other effects lung & skin irritation Breathing Large Amounts May Cause; impaired heart function unconsciousness death Large amounts for long period of time; (Chronic exposures) nerve damage kidney & liver damage
Cirrhosis & Dermatitis http://www.osh.dol.govt.nz
TCE Exposure & Cancer Risk • 9th Report on Carcinogens by National Toxicology Program (NTP) determined TCE to be an anticipated Carcinogen • International agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determined TCE to be a probable carcinogen to humans • Animal studies -Liver, Kidney, Lung • Epi. Studies – Kidney, Liver, Cervix, Lymphatic
TCE Release Patterns • TCE’s major environmental releases are; • AIR - emissions from vapor degreasing • Water - wastewater from metal finishing, paint and ink formation, electronics, textiles electronics component manufacturing and adhesive and rubber industries.
Environmental Fate • Volatile & evaporates quickly into air during cleaning operations. Can break down into phosgene, a known lung irritant • Precipitation carries TCE to groundwater. TCE is listed as # 1 groundwatercontaminant & is in over 60% of Super Fund sites. • Atmospheric lifetime 1-2 weeks • Persistence in soil & ground water is longer & can have a half life up to 10 months
What Participants Asked For • Drop in replacements for TCE in existing vapor degreasing equipment • Easiest for them, less time consuming • Recently spent money on machinery
How to Find Drop-in Replacements for TCE? • Literature search • Look at viability • Chemically (VP, FP Surface Tension) (HANDOUT) • Environmentally (ODP, GWP, VOC) • Evaluate health risks (HANDOUT) • Contact Vendors for samples • Test chemistries • Develop testing matrix – soils & substrates • Immersion & Vapor degreasing trials
Where there is a Will there is a Way! Our Homemade Vapor Degreaser
Identified 20 alternative drop-in solvent degreasers Six Classes of Chemicals Hydrochlorofluorocarbon Hydrofluorocarbon Hydrofluroethers Bromopropane Volatile Methylsilioxanes Dichloroethylene Identified Drop-In Solvents Alternatives to Chlorinated Solvents *Replaced Solvents
HydroChloroFluoroCarbonAGC Chemicals - AK-225 3 Rows and much less information know then about TCE
HydroFluoroCarbonDuPont -Vertrel CCA, MCA, HD Degreaser C, Flux Remover C 3 Rows and much less information know then about TCE
HydroFluoroEther3M - Novec HFE 7100, 7200 & 71DE 3 Rows and much less information know then about TCE
N-Propyl BromideEnviroTech - Ensolv, Ensolv A; Petroferm – Lenium GS, ES; Kyzen – Metalnox M6960 3 Rows and much less information know then about TCE
Issues withSolvent to Solvent Substitutions • Often deemed viable alternative due to less environmental regulations • Does this make them safer for worker? • Are we trading one problem for another? • nPB for TCE recent research ANA in Toronto (handout) • J. Majersik, MD, University of Utah • Severe human neurotoxin but less ODP • Possible interim step NOT a solution!
What ARE the BETTER Solutions? • Aqueous Cleaners • Can be used diluted • Possibility of recycling and reuse of cleaner and water • Hopefully eliminates need for air permits due to solvents or hazardous waste disposal permits and the costs associated with both • Reformulate Cleaner – Green Chemistry • Process change • Eliminate contaminant to be cleaned • Eliminate cleaning all together • Change materials to avoid need for cleaning
SSL Testing on Aqueous Alternatives (handout) • Worked closely with over 20 companies trying to replace TCE in cleaning • A wide range of industries are represented by these companies • Aircraft • Electronics • General Mfr • Metal working • Optical • Plating
Summary of Aqueous Alternatives Testing to TCE • 21 Vendors • 44 Products • 11 Product Classes
Conducted over 100 experiments 11 Contaminant types Abrasives Buffing Compounds Coatings Fluxes Grease Inks Paints Cutting Fluids Lubricants Oils Waxes Contaminants Removed
Cleaning Varies from Case To Case • Process specific & pilot testing on potential replacement cleaning chemicals is recommended • Vendor information & alternatives database is available on line at www.cleanersolutions.org/SimpleSolutions/
SOOOOO……… IF WE CAN FIND A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE….. WHY NOT DO IT??
Barriers & Challenges More In Depth Information with Rich Bizzozero (OTA)
Tools & Resources for TUR • Try it on your own • Talk to others industry • Use supply chain opportunities • Use SSL’s online Simple Solutions Database • Obtain a list of alternatives that are substrate, contaminant and equipment specific • Call & ask SSL/OTA/DEP for Help
Questions????? Alternatives Assessment Information call 978 934 3133 Jason Marshall or Heidi Wilcox ************************************************* Hands-on Solvent Substitution Workshop Tomorrow 1:30 – 3:330 7B Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Surface Cleaning But Were Afraid to Get Your Hands Dirty!
THE END THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME Now Jason Marshall