nPB (a.k.a. n-propyl bromide and 1-bromopropane) has a great history of success as a vapor degreasing solvent and — at the same time — a rather bleak future. This is because the solvent is dangerous to the short-term and long-term health of workers who use it, and, by extension, because use the solvent is in the process of being regulated regarding usage volume. If you use an nPB vapor degreaser, there are four good reasons to replace it with a safer solution now.
- Temporary Illness
Scientific studies and anecdotal reports show that exposure to NPB vapor degreaser and nPB in other formulations can cause temporary, negative health effects in workers, including: dizziness, mental confusion, slurred speech, paresthesia, visual disturbances and respiratory distress, among several other acute conditions. Some of these conditions can result from a single exposure to nPB vapor degreaser, though they generally abate when exposure ceases.
- Chronic Illness
Scientific studies and anecdotal reports have also shown the potential of nPB to cause negative health conditions that are chronic, including: neurological damage, cancer (based on animal studies), permanent Paresthesia and difficulty walking (due to paresthesia). Because these conditions can permanently decrease the earning capacity of the injured, or make them completely disabled, chemical injury lawsuits are a common method of recourse.
- Regulatory Control
As reported in late 2015 in The Federal Register: The Daily Journal of the United States Government, “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is adding 1-bromopropane to the list of toxic chemicals subject to reporting under section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 and section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) of 1990.”
The article goes on to explain the decision, citing that “1-Bromopropane has been classified by the National Toxicology Program in their 13th Report on Carcinogens as ‘reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.’” Consequently, “The EPA has determined that 1-bromopropane meets the EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(B) criteria because it can reasonably be anticipated to cause cancer in humans.”
If history is a guide, nPB will eventually find a place on the EPA’s list of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), which means it will be banned or regulated to the point that many users of nPB vapor degreaser will be unable to use the solution in sufficient quantities for crucial nPB applications.
- Financial Fallout
Even among organizations that aren’t concerned about the regulation of nPB, replacing an nPB degreaser is still a common move. The reasons why are simple. Negative health effects of nPB exposure can reduce productivity in the workplace, lead to workers compensation claims, and, as mentioned above, lead to chemical injury lawsuits. When it come to financial profitability, using nPB vapor degreaser for business-critical operations is a double-edged sword.
Choosing a Replacement
If your organization doesn’t specialize in evaluating industrial solvents, you may need some assistance with choosing a nPB vapor degreaser replacement that’s safer than its predecessor but works just as well. This is the type of replacement Ecolink can provide. To get started on finding a drop-in replacement for your nPB degreaser, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use the contact form on our website.
Our HCFC based aerosol is discontinued – See what’s taking its place!
/in Chemical Substitution/by Industrial DegreasersOut with the Old, In with the New
SELECT FREE is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-based solvent used in many electrical maintenance applications and has been known for its exceptional cleaning performance. SELECT FREE is designed to clean contacts, relays, and other critical electronic components. It was manufactured as a replacement for CFC-113 contact cleaners, but the time has come for SELECT FREE to step down. Ecolink has discontinued the sale and production of SELECT FREE due to the hazards associated with HCFC.
EPA Ban on HCFC
On January 1, 2010 the EPA placed a ban on production, import and use of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b with exceptions. In 2015, updates included all HCFCs and exceptions were limited to refrigeration equipment. By the year 2020 the phaseout will be complete and the servicing of systems with R-22 will rely on recycled or stockpiled quantities.
Carry on with FluoSolv AP
With the HCFC ban, SELECT FREE was inevitably discontinued and replaced by FluoSolv™ AP manufactured by NuGenTec. The solvent FluoSolv™ AP is an effective cleaner for de-fluxing electronic assemblies and other intricate electrical parts. FluoSolv™ AP is ideally balanced to deliver performance and worker safety.
This product is recommended for use in modern vapor degreasing equipment or spray and wipe aerosol application. FluoSolv™ AP is a stable azeotropic blend that is easy to reclaim by a simple distillation process.
55 Gallon Drum | 5 Gallon Pail
Using High Flash Point Solvents: Four Advantages
/in High Flash Point Solvents/by Industrial DegreasersThe flash point of a solvent is the temperature at which it ignites. More specifically, it is the temperature at which vapors from the solvent ignite. This is why an ignited solvent appears to burn only on the surface and not throughout its entire constitution when it is stored in large volume in a vat. A solvent that behaves this way often has a low flash point. Replacing it with a high flash point solvent can deliver the following crucial advantages, among others.
The proper use of low flash point solvents is limited to tasks that don’t involve catalysts that could cause the solvents to combust. Because high flash point solvents ignite less easily than low flash point solvents, the former naturally have a broader range of application. However, it’s important to remember that high flash point solvents can still ignite. Before you use them for a specific application, be sure that the work process would not cause them to combust.
In terms of worker safety, the greatest risk of solvents that have a flash point is burn injuries. The lower the flash point of a solvent, the greater the risk of injury when the cleaner is used in certain capacities. Solvent-related burn injuries can cause workers to take extended time off and result in chemical injury lawsuits. By protecting their workers against burn injuries, companies and organizations also protect themselves against negative financial situations.
Anyone who works with solvents that have a flash point should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent burn injuries. However, the level of PPE that should be used — and thus the cost of acquiring it — is based on the magnitude of risk that using the solvents entails. Using high flash point solvents may not eliminate the need for PPE, but it may allow you to outfit workers in a lower level of PPE than would be needed if high flash point solvents were used.
Low flash point solvents should ideally be stored in an area that is free of ignition sources that could combust them and free of combustibles that could feed the fire if ignition occurred. High flash point solvents also entail fire-related storage considerations, but they are naturally safer to store in the presence of ignition sources and combustibles than their low flash point counterparts. Using solvents that have a high flash point can simplify solvent storage.
Need High Flash Point Solvents?
If so, you have arrived at the right destination. Ecolink supplies environmentally preferred and environmentally safe cleaning solvents whose flash points range from relatively low to exceptionally high. We also supply solutions that have no flashpoint and are essentially inflammable. Replacing low flash point solvents with solvents that have a high flash point brings the crucial advantages above, which support productivity and stable operating costs.
Already know what you need? Shop our solvent selection conveniently online here!
1 Bromopropane(nPB) listed as higher hazard substance in Massachusetts. Is this the beginning of the end for nPB?
/in N-Propyl Bromide, Safer Chemicals/by Industrial DegreasersHow is nPB Being Managed Today?
Given that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection updated the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) and added n-propyl bromide to their list of toxic chemicals; this is a reasonable indicator that 1-bromopropane will likely become restricted or limited by the EPA in the near future. If you are under such restrictions or if you simply want to provide a safer working environment, we have a line of products ready to serve as drop-in replacements.
Finding a 1 Bromopropane Alternative that is Right for You
Many nPB alternatives offer the same if not better cleaning power as the nPB solvents they replace. These products are drop-in replacements because they can be swapped with the current nPB cleaners as a safer solution and it will not slow your cleaning process. Ecolink is a licensed distributor of FluoSolv AP® which is an excellent replacement for nPB based solvents. FluoSolv® AP (All Purpose) is non-hazardous and has a high allowable exposure limit. The Fluosolv® line has products that excel in both modern vapor degreasing equipment or spray and wipe aerosol application. To see how Fluosolv products stack up to TCE, nPB and MEK, Click Here.
Not Ready to Move on from 1 Bromopropane? Hypersolve has you Covered
Let’s face it, for many users of nPB based products, there may be little incentive to switch to a new, potentially more expensive, replacement material. 1 bromopropane based solvents simply do a great job cleaning in the following applications:
Given adequate ventilation and ensuring safety precautions, you could very well continue using nPB based products in your operations with minimal risk. If this is the case, Ecolink offers Hypersolve™ based on stabilized n-propyl bromide. We can and will continue to supply Hypersolve until the day you look to switch to an EPA/OSHA friendly solvent.
Whether using 1 Bromopropane products or not, learn from the concept of Zero Waste. Zero Waste is an effective hazard reduction practice that can be applied to the use of nPB or any potentially harmful solvent.
What is Zero Waste?
The U.S. Zero Waste Business Council has the goal of teaching zero waste practices to businesses and communities to help them become more healthy and sustainable. Through Zero Waste, businesses can cut greenhouse gases, reduce litter and pollution, and reinvest resources locally. Zero Waste Businesses save money, become more efficient, and manage risks. All of these benefits will help create jobs and more value for the businesses and the communities. If you want to be a part of this movement and grow from these opportunities then apply for Zero Waste certification here.
One of the ways you can help your business contribute to Zero Waste is through solvent distillation. Ecolink proudly partners with CBG Technologies to promote their solvent distillation equipment which continually helps customers save money on recoverable solvent as well as reduce waste output.
Call for information or a quote on any of our nPB alternative products at (800) 563-1305 or send an email inquiry to npbreplacement@ecolink.com
You might also be interested to see our aerosol cylinders. Check out the video below for a demonstration:
Replacing nPB Vapor Degreaser: Why Do It Now?
/in N-Propyl Bromide/by Industrial DegreasersnPB (a.k.a. n-propyl bromide and 1-bromopropane) has a great history of success as a vapor degreasing solvent and — at the same time — a rather bleak future. This is because the solvent is dangerous to the short-term and long-term health of workers who use it, and, by extension, because use the solvent is in the process of being regulated regarding usage volume. If you use an nPB vapor degreaser, there are four good reasons to replace it with a safer solution now.
Scientific studies and anecdotal reports show that exposure to NPB vapor degreaser and nPB in other formulations can cause temporary, negative health effects in workers, including: dizziness, mental confusion, slurred speech, paresthesia, visual disturbances and respiratory distress, among several other acute conditions. Some of these conditions can result from a single exposure to nPB vapor degreaser, though they generally abate when exposure ceases.
Scientific studies and anecdotal reports have also shown the potential of nPB to cause negative health conditions that are chronic, including: neurological damage, cancer (based on animal studies), permanent Paresthesia and difficulty walking (due to paresthesia). Because these conditions can permanently decrease the earning capacity of the injured, or make them completely disabled, chemical injury lawsuits are a common method of recourse.
As reported in late 2015 in The Federal Register: The Daily Journal of the United States Government, “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is adding 1-bromopropane to the list of toxic chemicals subject to reporting under section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 and section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) of 1990.”
The article goes on to explain the decision, citing that “1-Bromopropane has been classified by the National Toxicology Program in their 13th Report on Carcinogens as ‘reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.’” Consequently, “The EPA has determined that 1-bromopropane meets the EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(B) criteria because it can reasonably be anticipated to cause cancer in humans.”
If history is a guide, nPB will eventually find a place on the EPA’s list of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), which means it will be banned or regulated to the point that many users of nPB vapor degreaser will be unable to use the solution in sufficient quantities for crucial nPB applications.
Even among organizations that aren’t concerned about the regulation of nPB, replacing an nPB degreaser is still a common move. The reasons why are simple. Negative health effects of nPB exposure can reduce productivity in the workplace, lead to workers compensation claims, and, as mentioned above, lead to chemical injury lawsuits. When it come to financial profitability, using nPB vapor degreaser for business-critical operations is a double-edged sword.
Choosing a Replacement
If your organization doesn’t specialize in evaluating industrial solvents, you may need some assistance with choosing a nPB vapor degreaser replacement that’s safer than its predecessor but works just as well. This is the type of replacement Ecolink can provide. To get started on finding a drop-in replacement for your nPB degreaser, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use the contact form on our website.
Acetone: An Economically Efficient Powder Coating Equipment Cleaner
/in Acetone Cleaners, Organic Cleaning Solvent/by Industrial Degreaserspowder coating sprayer
Coating system providers often dedicate their full attention to providing the highest quality and environmentally responsible products in their industry, a goal shared by us here at Ecolink. Powder coating products often contain no hazardous waste and have low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or HAPs (Hazardous Air Pollutants) content, in order to meet today’s environmental demands. We have seen customers maximize transfer efficiency with up to 98% product utilization for coating operations, which in plain English means less product gets wasted during the coating process. With powder coatings, waste is further reduced since over sprayed material can still be re-used. Ecolink has provided cleaning products to the liquid and powder coating industry for many years and we want to show our support to the industry by offering chemical solutions with equal environmentally preferred specifications.
Recently we’ve noted the application of Acetone in cleaning equipment used for transportation and performance powder coatings. Acetone is an effective solvent for general cleaning and, unlike many alternatives, keeps overhead low. It is one of the least regulated options available while still remaining a safe choice.
Interested in spending less on Acetone? Call (800) 563-1305 to speak with a representative or email us at acetone@ecolink.com.
Surface Preparation and Equipment Cleaning
Acetone is a mild solvent that is proficient at cleaning critical surfaces of metal, plastic, and composite materials for powder coating color preparation. Additionally, it can be used to sanitize coating equipment before and after operations and remove powder coatings when needed. This product is commonly applied as a high-strength degreaser and can dissolve contaminants such as grease, paint, and organic substances.
With Great Cleaning Power Comes Great Responsibility
The chemical Acetone is not dangerous, however, it is a solvent and must be handled responsibly. The solution is a colorless liquid that is water soluble. Acetone has a low boiling point meaning it is flammable and should be kept away from heat. Dispose of any excess material properly in a sealed metal container to avoid spontaneous combustion. Acetone is not a hazardous air pollutant but safe handling precautions should be exercised to prevent consumption, inhalation, and absorption. Apply the solvent in an area with proper ventilation and do not use it on items that may dissolve such as fabric.
Purchase Acetone for Your Cleaning Needs Here
Ecolink offers a competitive price for Acetone in bulk with 55 Gallon Drums under $500! 5 Gallon Pails are available with low minimum quantities. Call (800) 563-1305 for aditional information or send an email to acetone@ecolink.com.