Solvents

Solvents Menu Workers' Rights

Possible Solutions

There are many alternatives to common solvents that have potential health risks. These alternatives provide a safer work environment, and also a cleaner atmosphere. The following references provide possible solutions for solvent hazards in the workplace.

  • Transitioning to Safer Chemicals: A Toolkit for Employers and Workers. OSHA, (2013). OSHA has developed this step-by-step toolkit to provide employers and workers with information, methods, tools, and guidance on using informed substitution in the workplace.
  • Using Duct Tape with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Hazardous Waste Sites and Related Operations. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (April 11, 1988). Discusses duct tape and its resistance to most solvents. However, the adhesive on the duct tape is not designed for sealing of personal protective equipment (PPE) from thousands of chemicals and is soluble in almost every type of solvent known.
  • Organic Solvents. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Workplace Safety & Health Topic. Contains links to controls and recommendations for various organic solvents.
  • Controlling Cleaning-Solvent Vapors at Small Printers. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Publication No. 98-107, (1998). NIOSH researchers have demonstrated a control that reduces exposures to cleaning-solvent vapors to acceptable concentrations.
  • Preventing Bladder Cancer from Exposure to o-Toluidine and Aniline. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-116, (December 1990). Presents significant new epidemiologic evidence that clearly associates o-toluidine and aniline with an increased risk of bladder cancer.
  • Preventing Adverse Health Effects from Exposure to Dimethylformamide (DMF). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-105, (September 1990). Describes engineering controls, good work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for controlling exposures to DMF by inhalation and skin contact.
  • Chemical Glove Selection. National Ag Safety Database (NASD), University of Delaware, Cooperative Extension. Reviews the hazards associated with exposure to chemicals.
  • Cleaning Solvents. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the SNAP program, the “cleaning solvent” sector refers to substitutes for non-aerosol solvents used in industrial cleaning in vapor degreasing, cold batch cleaning, or automated cleaning equipment. SNAP does not currently cover dry cleaning, manual cleaning with non-aerosol solvents, non-aerosol mold release agents, or component testing agents.