Substitution of dangerous chemicals

The substitution of dangerous chemicals in the workplace is the process of replacing chemicals with less hazardous alternatives or using no chemicals, improving occupational health and safety and minimizing harmful environmental impact.[1] Ideally, the substitution should result in the greatest improvement possible. It can be difficult to know the long term carcinogenic, reprotoxic, allergenic, or neurotoxic effects of a substitution.[1][2] The cost and practicality of the substitute are also considered because successful substitution may require technical and organizational changes.[1][3] The result of a substitution may not completely harmless, but should reduce hazards.[1] Substituting hazardous chemicals follows the principles of green chemistry and results in clean technology.[4]

Occupational hazards
Hierarchy of hazard controls
Occupational hygiene

Chemical Alternative Assessments

Alternatives assessments are used to determine which chemical is fit to be a substitute.[3][5][6] A process-based method of substituting chemicals in the workplace involves:[1]

  1. Listing the chemicals
  2. Noting composition information
  3. Filling data sheets
  4. Process analysis
  5. Risk assessment
  6. Substitute proposal

After listing the chemicals, their potential hazards are listed in data sheets. A process analysis is performed, which studies how and when the chemical is used and what technology, equipment, and chemistry is needed.[1]

The data sheets gives knowledge of short and long term effects of a chemical:

Damage to health Under suspicion for damage to health Probably no damage to health Conflicting information No documentation
Carcinogenic
Reprotoxic
Allergenic
Neurotoxic
Other effects

If a risk is not "small", then possible substitutions are considered. A chemical has a "small" risk to humans if there are no long-term negative effects, he exposure is lower than the threshold limit value (TLV), and there is no risks of disease or other health issues.[1]

Several factors must be assessed to determine if a chemical is a suitable substitute including potential hazards, exposure, technical feasibility and economical considerations.[3] After substitutes are proposed, the risks of each substitute are compared to one another and tested until a suitable substitution is found.

Hazard Assessment

The potential hazards of a chemical or a substitute candidate must be assessed by noting the toxicity of the chemical to both humans and the environment. An assessment of the chemical lists the dangerous properties of the chemical, such as flammability or corrosivity.[3] It should also note any carcinogenic, reprotoxic, allergenic, neurotoxic, and other related effects the chemical has on human health.[1]

Exposure Characterization

If a potential chemical substitute has greater exposure to humans and the environment than the original chemical, the toxicity of increased exposure must be considered. A chemical substitute with less exposure or a similar exposure but a lower toxicity is preferred.[7]

Life-Impacts Characterization

A life cycle assessment of the chemical considers the long term effects a chemical will have on human health and the environment, as well as ethical and social effects of chemical use. Examples include the addition of greenhouse gas emissions from a use of a chemical, or carcinogenic effects of a chemical after prolonged usage. An ethical or social effect considered during this assessment could include a consideration of if the chemical is ethically sourced or if its use infringes on the rights of indigenous people.[7]

Technical Feasibility

A chemical substitute ideally should perform the intended task efficiently.[3] Sometimes the process used must be changed to substitute out a dangerous chemical.[1]

Economic Feasibility

The availability of the chemical commercially in the quantities required is noted.[3] A substitution that is more cost efficient is ideal, but not always possible.

Legislature

Enacted in the EU in 2006, REACH requires industries to collect safety information on their chemicals and report them to a database. It also requires the substitution of dangerous chemicals to safer alternatives if they are found.[8]

The EPA uses the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to require industries with record and report the production, use, and disposal of specific dangerous chemicals.[9]

Examples

Substitution can be on different levels such as using

  1. less hazardous chemicals in the same process, e.g.
    1. For construction paints: from organic solvents to waterbased paints,
    2. In printing industry for cleaning of offset printing machines: from organic solvents to products based on esters of vegetable oils,
  2. a new design of the process, e.g.
    1. In metal degreasing: from vapour degreasing with trichloroethylene to high pressure hosing with hot alkaline solution in a closed system,
    2. In brazing: from fluxes containing boron and fluor compounds to use of a furnace with reducing atmosphere,
  3. a new process, e.g.
    1. Removal of old paint: from a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol to blasting with steel sand in a closed system.
    2. From bonding with adhesives to a new design of items locking them mechanically together, mutually,
  4. avoid the use of the process, e.g.
    1. Avoiding electroplating with nickel only applied for cosmetic reasons.
    2. Furniture of wood: from lacquer with organic solvents to no surface treatment especially used for furniture of quality.
  5. avoid to produce products involving hazardous processes.

See also
  • Hazard substitution
  • Sørensen, F. and Styhr Petersen, H.J. (1995) “Substitution of hazardous chemicals and the Danish experience.” Occupational Hygiene, 1, 261-278 (a review article)
  • Sørensen, F. and Styhr Petersen, H.J. (1988). “Substitution of dangerous chemicals by a process-based method,” Staub – Reinhaltung der Luft, 48, 469-472
  • Sørensen, F. and Styhr Petersen, H.J. (1991). “A process-based method for substitution of hazardous chemicals and its application to metal degreasing”, Journal of Hazardous Waste & Hazardous Materials, 8, no 1, 69-84
  • Sørensen, F. and Styhr Petersen, H.J. (1992). “Substitution of organic solvents”. Staub – Reinhaltung der Luft, 52, 113-118
  • Sørensen, F. and Styhr Petersen, H.J. (1993). “Substitution of organic solvents and hazardous binders by bonding with adhesives in the manufacture of fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment”. Staub – Reinhaltung der Luft, 53, 251-254
  • Sørensen, F. and Styhr Petersen, H.J. (1994) “Formulation and Recycling of Water-Based Degreasing Agents: Effects on Occupational Health and Environmental Protection”. Journal of Hazardous Waste & Hazardous Materials, 11, no 3, 361-370
  • Sørensen, F. and Styhr Petersen, H.J. (1993). “Vapour Phase Soldering and Removal of Flux Residues after Soldering in the Electronics Industry: Substitution of Organic Solvents”. Hybrid Circuits, 30, 31-32
  • Sørensen, F. and Styhr Petersen, H.J. (1992). “Rapeseed oil is an alternative fluid. American Machinist”, 9,15-17
  • Sørensen, F. and Styhr Petersen, H.J. (1994). “Nonsolvent Based Lubrication of Machine Elements”. Lubrication Engineering, 50, no 1, 63-64.

References
  1. "Substitution of Harzardous Chemicals in The Working Environment". www.arbejdskemi.dk. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  2. Sørensen, Frode; Petersen, H.J. Styhr (1991). "A Process-Based Method for Substitution of Hazardous Chemicals and its Application to Metal Degreasing". Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials. 8 (1): 69–84. doi:10.1089/hwm.1991.8.69. ISSN 0882-5696.
  3. Jacobs Molly M.; Malloy Timothy F.; Tickner Joel A.; Edwards Sally (2016-03-01). "Alternatives Assessment Frameworks: Research Needs for the Informed Substitution of Hazardous Chemicals". Environmental Health Perspectives. 124 (3): 265–280. doi:10.1289/ehp.1409581. PMC 4786344. PMID 26339778.
  4. Fantke, Peter; Weber, Roland; Scheringer, Martin (2015-06-01). "From incremental to fundamental substitution in chemical alternatives assessment". Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 1: 1–8. doi:10.1016/j.scp.2015.08.001. ISSN 2352-5541.
  5. "Basics of Substitution & Assessment | Transitioning to Safer Chemicals | Occupational Safety and Health Administration". www.osha.gov. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  6. US EPA, OCSPP (2013-12-03). "Design for the Environment Alternatives Assessments". US EPA. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  7. National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on the Design and Evaluation of Safer Chemical Substitutions. A framework to guide selection of chemical alternatives. National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology., National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology., National Research Council (U.S.). Division on Earth and Life Studies. Washington, D.C. ISBN 9780309310147. OCLC 892973957.
  8. "REACH - Chemicals - Environment - European Commission". ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  9. US EPA, OA (2013-02-22). "Summary of the Toxic Substances Control Act". US EPA. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
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