For manufacturers, solvents are subject to a variety of federal and state regulations, including regulations that govern the industrial storage and disposal of hazardous wastes, workplace exposure limits, requirements for safe transport of chemical substances, and regulations pertaining to release of chemicals to air, land and water.
For consumers using personal care products that either are themselves solvents, such as nail polish removers, or products that contain solvents, such as paint, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use. For “do-it-yourself” (DYI) projects, it is important for individuals working with “stronger” solvents, such as paint strippers or stronger cleaning products, to closely follow manufacturer’s instructions for the product’s safe use.
Federal agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publish health and safety information on individual solvents.
- FDA recently developed a list,which makes recommendations as to what amounts of residual solvents are considered by the Agency to be safe in pharmaceuticals.
- Perchloroethylene, or perc, is the predominant chemical solvent used in dry cleaning. It is an effective cleaning solvent and is used by most professional dry cleaners because it removes stains and dirt from all common types of fabrics. EPA does not believethat dry cleaning clothes with perc will result in an increased risk of adverse health effects for people.
- The American Chemistry Council has published a flyer outlining “Dos and Don’ts” for the safe use of solvents.
- Some general principles and considerations that help to minimize flammability concerns related to hydrocarbon and oxygenated solvents are included in the following guidance document.
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Hydrocarbon and oxygenated solvents have been in widespread use for more than 50 years and the subject of extensive health and environmental effects studies that examine the effects of exposure to solvent vapors. It should be noted that in some cases, people use solvents directly (e.g., nail polish remover); in other cases, the solvent is part of another product (e.g., paint), and in other cases, the solvent is used in the manufacturing process to make a product, but completely “used up” in the manufacturing process. When using a solvent directly, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use.
Various solvents are extremely effective in select purposes, such as in pharmaceutical development. In producing penicillin, for example, the solvent keeps the impurities in the solution so the penicillin is selectively removed from the reaction mixture by extraction. In some inks, the solvent effectively evaporates quickly enough to prevent smudging and provides a cost-effective, high performing way to print magazines or labels using vivid colors. In nail polish, the purpose of the solvent is to dissolve and help mix the other ingredients together evenly, and then evaporate as the nail polish dries, creating a smooth, consistent surface. Fingernail polish remover also is a solvent that functions for this particular use – to break down the ingredients in the polish.
FAQs
Exposure to solvents may impact your health depending on the specific chemicals, level of concentration, length of exposure, and how it enters the body. Direct eye contact: This may cause burning and tearing and if severe, visual problems. Skin contact: This may cause skin dryness, irritation, rashes or chemical burns.
What are the dangers of solvents? ›
Different solvents can affect your health in different ways. High airborne concentrations of some solvents can cause unconsciousness and death. Exposure to lower levels of solvents can lead to short-term effects including irritation of the eyes, lungs and skin, headaches, nausea, dizziness or light-headedness.
What is a fact about solvents? ›
Solvents are defined as substances capable of dissolving other substances to form uniformly dispersed mixtures. Although water is the most common solvent, it is the organic solvents (eg hydrocarbons and ethers) that are generally considered to be hazardous to health.
What are the safe handling of solvents? ›
Avoid washing hands with solvents. Exposing skin to solvents could result in a rash, dryness, or other skin problems. Always wear required personal protective equipment to prevent hazardous exposures to solvents. Remove personal protective equipment carefully when finished working to avoid getting solvents on the skin.
How toxic is solvent? ›
Solvents, their vapours and mists have various effects on human health. Many of them have a narcotic effect, causing fatigue, dizziness and intoxication. High doses may lead to unconsciousness and death. Exposure to large doses of solvents may slow down reaction- time and affect rational judgement.
What is the most toxic solvent? ›
Benzene, methyl chloride, trichloroethylene, carbon disulphide, carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethylene, methoxyethanol, and n-hexane are some of the most hazardous solvents. Some of these solvents are recognized as carcinogenic, some are recognized as neurotoxins, and some are recognized as reproductive hazards.
What does solvent do to your hands? ›
Skin contact may result in minor skin rashes or an allergic reaction resulting in “chloracne”. This happens when the solvent dissolves the skin's natural oils. Some workers can develop a sensitization to a particular product or chemical.
What are the 3 most common solvents? ›
Common examples of solvents include water, ethanol, methanol and acetone.
What are the basic facts about solvent and solution? ›
A chemical solution is a hom*ogeneous mixture of two or more substances. The solvent is the substance that does the dissolving and is present in the largest amount, while the solute is the substance being dissolved. Solvents and solutes can be in any phase of matter: solid, liquid, or gas.
What PPE is needed for cleaning solvents? ›
Impervious gloves and protective clothing really are the best choice if there is any potential for skin contact. Gloves, splash goggles, aprons (when handling open drums), and safety shoes with steel toes are highly recommended.
If inhaled or absorbed through the skin, solvents can cause breathing problems or rashes, and may lead to temporary nervous system symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, numbness, and confusion. Long-term occupational exposure to some solvents increases cancer risk and is associated with organ failure.
What PPE must you wear when handling solvents and chemicals? ›
All laboratory personnel are required to wear PPE when working with chemicals. At a minimum this includes pants and closed toe shoes, chemically resistant gloves, a laboratory coat, and eye protection.
Which solvent is safer for humans? ›
Aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as mineral spirits generally are less toxic that other organic solvents.
Can solvent make you sick? ›
Health symptoms often depend on how you may have been exposed to the solvent including: Breathing vapors (may irritate the eyes, cause drowsiness, cause difficulty with breathing; if severe, may cause neurological damage) Direct eye contact (may cause burning and tearing; if severe, may cause visual problems)
Which solvent is not harmful? ›
Ethyl lactate is the ester of lactic acid. Lactate ester solvents are commonly used solvents in the paints and coatings industry and have numerous attractive advantages including being 100% biodegradable, easy to recycle, noncorrosive, noncarcinogenic, and nonozone-depleting.
What are the diseases caused by solvents? ›
The acute effects of solvent inhalation in both humans and animals include narcosis, anesthesia, CNS depression, respiratory arrest, unconsciousness, and death.
What are the long-term effects of solvent exposure? ›
Chronic exposures, or even one large exposure, can have serious implications on worker health. A study in the medical journal Neurology found that workers who were consistently exposed to high levels of solvents during their lifetime had significantly higher levels of brain impairment even years later.
What are the toxic effects of solvents and vapors? ›
Although some solvents are less hazardous than others, all solvents can cause toxic effects. Most have the potential to induce narcosis and cause respiratory and mucous membrane irritation. Numerous solvents are animal carcinogens, but only a few are classified as known human carcinogens.
