MEK and Heptane in Healthcare
Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Heptane are both solvents that are used most often in industrial manufacturing and cleaning respectively.
Shared Applications
MEK and Heptane have several shared applications.
They are both found in adhesives, glues, paint coatings, and paint additives.
Medical Applications
Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Heptane also share another non-industrial application.
MEK and Heptane are both common ingredients in anesthetics used in most hospitals.
Anesthesia typically utilizes volatile compounds like MEK and Heptane that are strong enough to numb the body and induce temporary unconsciousness.
How It Works
Chemicals that act as anesthetics are meant to temporarily yield incapacitation and amnesia so that the patient both won’t feel the pain or discomfort of the procedure and will have little to no recollection of it.
The anesthetics that MEK and Heptane are a part of are typically in general anesthetics that amnesia and does not simply block pain signals like local anesthesia does.
General anesthesia works by targeting proteins in the membranes around nerve cells to numb pain receptors.
Inhaled anesthetics or general anesthetics affect different nerves than intravenous anesthetics, and inhaled anesthetics likely target nerves that commit pain to memory or send pain directly to the brain.
MEK is most likely utilized in anesthetics, because it is derived from ether. Ether helped to create the earliest forms of anesthesia.
The volatile liquids are inhaled in gaseous form through a machine that is able to measure an accurate dose for the patient to have a safe and pain-free surgery.
General anesthesia is most often used when surgery is being done on internal organs or other time-consuming and invasive procedures.
General anesthesia can be thought of as a medically induced coma, because essentially this is its function.
MEK and Heptane have many applications, but their role in anesthesia is the rare application that they share, and possibly the most important.
Other Applications
MEK and Heptane have many other useful applications.
MEK is used in the manufacturing of plastics, textiles and paraffin wax.
It is an industrial solvent that is also utilized to produce lacquer, lacquer thinners, paint remover, denatured alcohol, glues, and dry-erase markers.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone is commonly used as a cleaning agent.
MEK can also be found in powder coatings in the automobile and electronics industries.
Heptane is found in paint and coating additives, adhesives, sealants, chemical intermediates, outdoor stove fuel, rubber cement, and various inks.
Heptane can be utilized to extract oil from vegetables and is commonly found in gasoline.
Pure Heptane is not used for vegetable oil extraction, but rather a mixture of isomers that comprises commercial grade Heptane.
Heptane’s role in gasoline is due to the fact that it is derived from petroleum.
Heptane is also commonly used as a laboratory solvent and reagent.
If you would like to purchase MEK or Heptane, please call (800)-563-1305 or visit our Shop our Commodity Chemicals Online Here.
The Difference Between Hexane and Heptane
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersHexane vs. Heptane
Hexane and Heptane are similar hydrocarbon mixtures that have several important differences.
Key Differences
Shared Applications
Hexane and Heptane are similar enough that they can be used interchangeably for certain applications.
Common Uses
As previously stated, Heptane and Hexane are both components of gasoline. However, these substances have other unconventional uses in popular consumer items.
Hexane is an indirect additive to soy-based food products, because it is used to extract oils from plant seeds such as soy beans, corn, sun-flowers, and canola.
It is less expensive to extract oil with Hexane, than it is to use the traditional method of pressing oils out of seeds.
It is possible for Hexane residue to be left in soy-based foods and other materials, but it is unlikely for Hexane residue to be toxic in food items.
Using Hexane to extract soybean oil is often both cost-efficient, and energy efficient as opposed to other methods of extraction.
Pure Hexane is not used to extract soybean oil, but rather a mixture of isomers that comprise Commercial grade Hexane.
Hexane is also used for extraction of vitamin E from certain foods, however Heptane can also be used for this purpose and is a much safer alternative.
Heptane is effective at separating vitamin E from cereal products without the potential harm associated with Hexane.
Heptane is also utilized as an outdoor oven cleaner.
Either Heptane or Hexane can be found in rubber cement along with minor components of IPA 99%, acetone, or toluene.
Shop our Heptane and Hexane commodities here, or if you have questions, please call (800)-563-1305.
Glycol TPM and The Pen
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersTripropylene Glycol Methyl Ether or Glycol TPM, is a solvent that is often utilized in the production of various types of inks including stamp pads, ballpoint pens, and felt-tip pens.
Why Glycol TPM?
Glycol TPM is not the only substance that makes a difference in the ink making process.
Glycol DPM also plays a significant role in creating the ink pens that we all know, love, and use everyday.
However, Glycol DPM–or Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether–has a less direct part in the ink making process than Glycol TPM.
Glycol TPM evaporates more slowly than Glycol DPM.
This quality makes Glycol TPM better suited as the primary solvent used in ink making, and Glycol DPM ideal as a tail-solvent for stamp pads, ball-point pens, felt tip pens, and various types of printing inks among a wide range of other applications.
How Does It Work?
As a solvent, Glycol TPM is highly soluble and has a low evaporation rate.
These qualities mean that Tripropylene Glycol Methyl Ether mixes extremely well with other substances, and that it is a key component for companies that seek to manufacture long-lasting, and slow-drying pens.
Glycol TPM also has a lower viscosity than other substances.
Less viscous chemicals are best for ink production, as their purpose is to mix with other raw materials and create a smooth and flowing ink.
The more viscous a material is, the thicker it will be, and that is inefficient for ink pen production.
Glycol TPM is not harmful in pen ink, printer ink, or stamp pads, as it is simply a component of the ink used to ensure that your product has the longest use possible.
Manufacturing
The ink manufacturing process transforms Glycol TPM and other similar chemicals from their natural state into a mixture of other raw materials and dyes.
Shop Glycol TPM here, or call (800)-563-1305 if you have any questions.
Glycol DPM In Perfume
/in Commodity Chemicals/by Industrial DegreasersGlycol DPM or Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether is often utilized as a solvent and an industrial cleaner.
Glycol DPM has an unknown, but popular application as the key ingredient in perfumes and other fragrances.
Glycol DPM’s Role
Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether is used in perfume as a solvent and binding agent that carries the essential oils in fragrances to help create the desired formula.
Glycol DPM not only carries essential oils, but also functions as a diluter in the formula.
The strength of a perfume’s formula can be determined by raising or lowering the amount of Glycol DPM.
Glycol DPM The basic ratio for perfume is three parts essential oils, and seven parts Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether.
Glycol DPM is found in most fragrances, but is not used in a large enough amount to be harmful.
Propylene Glycol is used in many self-care cosmetics products such as shampoo, hair conditioner, and other styling products.
Glycol is ideal in products like these primarily because it is soluble with water and acts to decrease viscosity, so that it won’t be difficult to rinse out after completing its task, and the product will be the appropriate consistency.
Other Cosmetics That Feature Glycol DPM
Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether is found in many cosmetics products due to its lack of toxicity and its powerful solvency.
Glycol DPM can be found in products like:
Glycol DPM is used in these products to increase solvency and decrease viscosity to create a smooth product.
Whether it be perfume or hair conditioner, Glycol DPM is often featured to help the formula reach its true potential.
Other Applications
Glycol DPM is often utilized industrially as a cleaner and solvent.
It is used in the manufacturing process for printing inks, and to create floor polishes and finishes.
On the domestic level Glycol DPM is often found in grease and paint removers, as well as metal, and hard-surface cleaners.
Glycol DPM’s presence in these products does not mean that it is unsafe in cosmetic products.
The amount of dipropylene glycol methyl ether in perfume is not nearly enough to be harmful during use, but larger quantities of Glycol DPM that are meant for industrial use should be utilized with care.
Safety and Handling
Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether and similar products should always be handled with the appropriate caution and safety procedures.
Shop Glycol DPM and other Glycol products here, or call (800)-563-1305 if you have any questions.
MEK And Heptane In Anesthetics
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersMEK and Heptane in Healthcare
Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Heptane are both solvents that are used most often in industrial manufacturing and cleaning respectively.
Shared Applications
MEK and Heptane have several shared applications.
They are both found in adhesives, glues, paint coatings, and paint additives.
Medical Applications
Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Heptane also share another non-industrial application.
MEK and Heptane are both common ingredients in anesthetics used in most hospitals.
Anesthesia typically utilizes volatile compounds like MEK and Heptane that are strong enough to numb the body and induce temporary unconsciousness.
How It Works
Chemicals that act as anesthetics are meant to temporarily yield incapacitation and amnesia so that the patient both won’t feel the pain or discomfort of the procedure and will have little to no recollection of it.
The anesthetics that MEK and Heptane are a part of are typically in general anesthetics that amnesia and does not simply block pain signals like local anesthesia does.
General anesthesia works by targeting proteins in the membranes around nerve cells to numb pain receptors.
Inhaled anesthetics or general anesthetics affect different nerves than intravenous anesthetics, and inhaled anesthetics likely target nerves that commit pain to memory or send pain directly to the brain.
MEK is most likely utilized in anesthetics, because it is derived from ether. Ether helped to create the earliest forms of anesthesia.
The volatile liquids are inhaled in gaseous form through a machine that is able to measure an accurate dose for the patient to have a safe and pain-free surgery.
General anesthesia is most often used when surgery is being done on internal organs or other time-consuming and invasive procedures.
General anesthesia can be thought of as a medically induced coma, because essentially this is its function.
MEK and Heptane have many applications, but their role in anesthesia is the rare application that they share, and possibly the most important.
Other Applications
MEK and Heptane have many other useful applications.
MEK is used in the manufacturing of plastics, textiles and paraffin wax.
It is an industrial solvent that is also utilized to produce lacquer, lacquer thinners, paint remover, denatured alcohol, glues, and dry-erase markers.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone is commonly used as a cleaning agent.
MEK can also be found in powder coatings in the automobile and electronics industries.
Heptane is found in paint and coating additives, adhesives, sealants, chemical intermediates, outdoor stove fuel, rubber cement, and various inks.
Heptane can be utilized to extract oil from vegetables and is commonly found in gasoline.
Pure Heptane is not used for vegetable oil extraction, but rather a mixture of isomers that comprises commercial grade Heptane.
Heptane’s role in gasoline is due to the fact that it is derived from petroleum.
Heptane is also commonly used as a laboratory solvent and reagent.
If you would like to purchase MEK or Heptane, please call (800)-563-1305 or visit our Shop our Commodity Chemicals Online Here.
Methylene Chloride in Food
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersAnyone who has ever read nutrition labels knows that sometimes our food is full of hard to pronounce chemicals. Most of them are deemed “safe” as the Food and Drug Administration would say, however a few of these chemicals have made scientists and consumers concerned. One additive that can be found in your food that is very controversial is Methylene Chloride, also known as Dichloromethane and can be seen in the abbreviation DCM.
What Is Methylene Chloride?
Methylene Chloride, also known as Dichloromethane and is abbreviated as DCM, is a colorless liquid with a density that is heavier than water. Methylene Chloride is made from methane gas or wood alcohol. Methylene Chloride is used in various industrial processes in a lot of industries such as paint stripping, pharmaceutical manufacturing, paint remover manufacturing, metal cleaning, metal degreasing, adhesives manufacturing, adhesive uses, polyurethane foam production, film base manufacturing, polycarbonate resin production, solvent distribution, and formulation, and the food and beverage manufacturing industry to separate and extract.
Methylene Chloride in Food and Beverage Industry
Methylene Chloride is used in the food and beverage manufacturing industry as a food additive to process spices, remove caffeine from unroasted coffee beans and tea, and creating hops extract for beer and other flavorings for the food and beverage industries. Methylene Chloride can act as a fumigant for strawberries and grains, a de-greener for citrus fruits, coffee solvent extraction, cocoa solvent extraction, and spice solvent extraction. It is also used as a diluent for color additives and inks for the marking fruit and vegetables.
Why Should You Be Concerned About Methylene Chloride in Food?
Methylene Chloride is such a controversial chemical compound because it is volatile. It is considered a carcinogen and it can affect your health. If anyone breaths methylene chloride, it can cause you not to be able to hear faint sounds, and slight vision impairment according to the International Agency for Research and Cancer. If anyone’s skin comes into contact with methylene chloride, it can cause moderate to severe irritation. Some symptoms include pain, redness, and swelling can be absorbed through the skin. If large amounts of methylene chloride, it can cause burns on a person’s lips, throat, stomach, and their tongue. Long-term exposure effects of methylene chloride include but are not limited to dermatitis following skin contact, may harm the nervous system at high concentrations, and can aggravate any existing heart conditions.
Reduce The Risk of Exposure
Adults and children alike may be exposed to Methylene Chloride in consumer household products such as paint removers. Methylene Chloride is an important solvent in paint strippers and varnish strippers. Remember to be cautious when using paint removers and strippers inside of your house. When using paint removers and strippers inside your house, follow the instructions on the packaging for proper ventilation conditions when using these products. Any and all household chemicals should be stored out of reach of children to prevent accidental poisonings or skin irritation. Household chemicals need to be in their original labeled containers, therefore you should never store chemicals in containers that others would find attractive to eat or drink from such as old food containers and old drink containers.