Two years ago, the National Toxicology Program (NTC) and a panel of scientific experts voted unanimously to categorize 1-bromopropane (a.k.a n-propyl bromide) as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” No studies have measured the carcinogenic effects of it on humans, but the solution has been observed to produce negative neurological effects in people, such as headaches, profound dizziness, loss of consciousness, slurred speech, and difficulty walking.
To make matters worse, these conditions may not cease when exposure to 1-bromopropane is discontinued. Because chronic exposure the solution can cause permanent neurological damage, those who are chronically exposed to, and suffer permanent disability as a result, often file liability lawsuits against their employers, particularly because the damage has permanently reduced their earning capacity and exposed them to a high level of pain and suffering.
Bromopropane Replacements
The negative neurological effects that 1-Bromopropane produces in humans, as well as its toxic effect on the environment, should make companies that frequently use the solution look for bromopropane replacements. Several products are marketed as bromopropane replacements, but not all of them have an excellent safety profile. FluoSolv® — a line of proprietary solutions from EcoLink — is an example of a Bromopropane replacement that has a great safety profile.
For most large-scale users of 1-bromopropane, the primary goal of finding a replacement is to select one that performs with the same power as 1-bromopropane but is formulated to be safer for humans and the environment. If your company frequently uses 1-bromopropane for any of the following applications, replacing the solution with FluoSolv® is an efficient way to transition a toxic work environment into one that poses fewer health risks and is better for the environment.
- Vapor immersion operations
- Degreasing operations
- Adhesive spray applications
- Dry cleaning
- Aircraft maintenance
- Asphalt production
- Synthetic fiber manufacturing
FluoSolv® products are formulated to be drop-in solutions for the replacement of brominated solvents, as well as chlorinated solvents, chlorofluorocarbon solvents, and hydrochlorofluorocarbon solvents. Unlike products that contain these ingredients, FluoSolv® solutions are formulated with azeotropic fluorinated fluids and trans-dichloroethylene (t-DCE) that are non-flammable, non-hazardous, non-ozone depleting, and protect workers from the neurotoxic effects that result from incidental or chronic contact with 1-bromopropane.
FluoSolv® products are used in a variety of industries by companies that need bromopropane replacements, including: aerospace and military, metal finishing, electronics manufacturing and maintenance, oil and gas, optics and fiber optics maintenance, semiconductor/SMT/wave maintenance, transportation and transit maintenance, medical tool cleaning, and general industrial cleaning. We will help you choose the right FluoSolv® products for your needs.
Place Your Order Today
If your company needs a drop-in solution for replacing 1-bromopropane products, our line of FluoSolv® solutions make excellent bromopropane replacements. If you need assistance choosing a FluoSolv® product that meets the requirements of 1-bromopropane in the capacity that you use it, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or fill out the contact form on our website. We look forward to providing you with a solution that is safe for your workers and the environment.
Flux Removers: What Are They, and How Do They Impact Safety?
/in Flux Removal/by Industrial DegreasersFlux is a product that is applied to glass, metal, and other materials that undergo a high-temperature heat treating process to achieve a specific result, such as annealing glass to shape it, or brazing metal pieces to form a stable assembly. Available in paste or semi-aqueous form, flux is applied to the surface of a material to prevent the end product from developing a stable layer of oxide that tarnishes its surface and/or causes weak dimensional stability.
Flux and Heat Treating Operations
Not all high-temperature heat treating operations require the application of flux. For example, when stainless steel is brazed in an atmosphere-controlled furnace that eliminates oxygen from the furnace chamber, the chromium in the alloy does not oxidize, and thus the metal requires no flux. However, flux is almost always recommend for high-temperature heat treating operations that are performed in open air, typically with the use of high-powered torches.
Flux helps prevent oxidation during the heat treating process, but it often leaves a residue that must be removed to ensure that the final product has the right qualities. To remove the residue, service providers apply flux removers, many of which traditionally contain flammable aerosol chemicals, lead, and chemical toxins that threaten the environment. On the bright side, companies can replace flux removers with ones that demonstrate a better safety profile.
The Easy Way to Replace Flux Removers
Unless your company employs a team of chemists that can create a novel, eco friendly flux remover to replace a toxic one, the easiest way to replace flux removers is to work with an experienced provider of eco friendly cleaning solutions that can offer you a good replacement option. For example, EcoLink offers FluoSolv DX – Solvent Flux Remover, a non-hazardous solution that is designed for heavy-duty flux removal and has a high allowable exposure limit.
FluoSolv DX – Solvent Flux Remover is an ideal replacement for flux removers that contain N-propyl Bromide-based defluxing solvents. More specifically, it is a viable replacement for Asahi AK-225, a Class II ODC that was phased out on 1/1/15. In addition to being better for the environment, the solution also helps reduce the exposure of workers to toxic liquids and fumes.
Contact EcoLink Today – or Shop Flux Removers Here
If your company needs a replacement flux remover for Asahi AK-225 or another hazardous degreasing solvent, the chemical and solvent specialists at EcoLink will recommend a solution that meets the requirements of the previous one without possessing so many of its dangerous qualities. In addition to benefiting the environment, a safer solution can also mitigate the negative effects workers experience when exposed to toxic cleaners, and thus help improve productivity.
If your company is in the market for eco friendly flux removers that don’t take a toll on the environment and help protect workers, call EcoLink today at (800) 563-1305 to schedule a free evaluation of your needs, or simply fill out the contact form on our website. We look forward to assisting you with finding the ideal replacement for all of your flux removal needs!
Solvent Disposal Services: Tips for Reducing Solvent Recovery Costs
/in Recycling/by Industrial DegreasersThe cost of waste solvent disposal services — particularly toxic solvent recovery operations — can present a significant cost that a company’s operating budget must accommodate. Consequently, many companies that strive to improve the bottom line through cost cutting are often interested in reducing solvent recovery costs. If your company is among them, below are four solutions that can help your business curb waste disposal costs over the long-term.
Use Only as Much Solvent as Needed
Some companies don’t track the volume of solvent that is used for specific operations — a situation that routinely leads to overusing solvent, and thus drives up the cost of solvent disposal services. Studying how much solvent should be used for specific applications will probably involve some research cost, but the payoff is worth it, as it can help you use less solvent, and thus reduce the capital that is invested in weekly or monthly solvent disposal services.
Don’t Use Solvent When Other Solutions Would Work
When a company becomes accustomed to using a particular solvent, they often apply it to cleaning and maintenance operations for which soap and water, or EPA approved cleaning solutions, would work just as well. Taking advantage of these options can help your company reduce the need for solvent disposal services or eliminate them altogether — a situation that provides the ultimate level of cost savings regarding professional solvent disposal.
Replace Dangerous Solvents With Eco Friendly Ones
To stay on the right side of federal, state, and municipal regulations that shape the recovery of chemical waste, implementing an eco friendly, drop-in replacement solution is the most effective strategy. When you implement a cleaning solution produces no toxic effects on humans or the environment, professionally recovering waste amounts of the solution may be unnecessary, or at least significantly more simplified than executing disposal operations for toxic waste.
Deploy a Solvent Waste Disposal System In House
As mentioned above, when you use an eco friendly solvent that doesn’t harm humans or contribute to environmental problems, the process for disposing of waste solvent may not require the assistance of a chemical waste disposal professional, which uses specialized chemical and equipment solutions to safety and effectively dispose of the waste.
Developing an in house waste disposal system for eco friendly solvents may require a considerable investment upfront. However, once the system is operational, your company may have the ability to cancel third party waste disposal services and fully handle the process.
Contact EcoLink Today
EcoLink specializes in providing non-toxic, eco friendly cleaning solutions that help reduce the cost of solvent disposal services. Even if your company uses a solvent that has a poor safety profile to perform essential business operations, we can recommend a replacement solvent that meets the requirements of the original solution, and can often be implemented on a drop-in basis.
For assistance with replacing dangerous chemical solvents with eco friendly ones that deliver the same effectiveness, contact us today by calling (800) 563-1305, or fill out our contact form.
We look forward to assisting your business with its solvent replacement requirements!
Reduce Chemical Use Without Jeopardizing Business Operations
/in Chemical Usage/by Industrial DegreasersMany companies that use a large amount of toxic cleaner do so for a good reason: the chemicals have become an integral part of accomplishing business objectives, and have served in this role for a number of years — even decades. Nonetheless, these companies are still advised to reduce chemical use for some very practical reasons, particularly the three below.
If your company is dependant on toxic chemicals to carry out strategic business operations, the prospect of replacing the solutions can be a worrisome one. However, when you work with a provider of replacement solutions for cleaners that contain toxic chemicals, such as EcoLink, your chances of finding a replacement that meets your requirements increases significantly.
Our Areas of Specialization
As our name implies, EcoLink specializes in linking companies with dynamic, eco friendly cleaning solutions that replace toxic ones. In many cases, these solutions can be deployed on a drop-in basis, eliminating the need to reconfigure operations to support new cleaners. We offer a variety of non-toxic cleaning solutions that are designed with the following industries in mind:
Due to their non-toxic profile, our products can also be used by businesses in other industries that have general general cleaning needs, such as auto shops, farming operations, and hotels. The goal is to make our solutions as widely usable as possible to give the greatest number of companies the opportunity to reduce chemical use with quality replacement solutions.
By helping companies reduce chemical use, we also help them avoid having to replace cleaners on short notice due to EPA regulations, avoid liability lawsuits that result from sickness and disability due to chemical exposure, and reduce toxic emissions that can saddle them with large fines when emissions caps are broken. In short, our products also help companies save money.
When you use us as your trusted cleaning solution provider, you get more than a long list of cleaners to choose from. Because we specialize in an area that most of our customers do not — eco friendly cleaning solutions — we provide a high level of pre-sale and post-sale technical assistance to ensure that companies acquire the right solutions and implement them properly.
Contact EcoLink Today
If your company uses toxic cleaners to perform crucial business operations, don’t wait for EPA regulations to force you to implement new solutions. Get ahead of the game and create a plan to reduce chemical use as soon as possible. EcoLink can play a strategic role in this process by providing options for reducing toxic chemical use that don’t compromise business operations.
For assistance with choosing replacement cleaners that help your company reduce chemical use, contact us today by calling (800) 563-1305, or fill out our contact form. We look forward to assisting your company with handling its chemical replacement needs!
Bromopropane Replacements: Switch to FluoSolv®
/in N-Propyl Bromide, Solvent Replacement Strategies/by Industrial DegreasersTwo years ago, the National Toxicology Program (NTC) and a panel of scientific experts voted unanimously to categorize 1-bromopropane (a.k.a n-propyl bromide) as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” No studies have measured the carcinogenic effects of it on humans, but the solution has been observed to produce negative neurological effects in people, such as headaches, profound dizziness, loss of consciousness, slurred speech, and difficulty walking.
To make matters worse, these conditions may not cease when exposure to 1-bromopropane is discontinued. Because chronic exposure the solution can cause permanent neurological damage, those who are chronically exposed to, and suffer permanent disability as a result, often file liability lawsuits against their employers, particularly because the damage has permanently reduced their earning capacity and exposed them to a high level of pain and suffering.
Bromopropane Replacements
The negative neurological effects that 1-Bromopropane produces in humans, as well as its toxic effect on the environment, should make companies that frequently use the solution look for bromopropane replacements. Several products are marketed as bromopropane replacements, but not all of them have an excellent safety profile. FluoSolv® — a line of proprietary solutions from EcoLink — is an example of a Bromopropane replacement that has a great safety profile.
For most large-scale users of 1-bromopropane, the primary goal of finding a replacement is to select one that performs with the same power as 1-bromopropane but is formulated to be safer for humans and the environment. If your company frequently uses 1-bromopropane for any of the following applications, replacing the solution with FluoSolv® is an efficient way to transition a toxic work environment into one that poses fewer health risks and is better for the environment.
FluoSolv® products are formulated to be drop-in solutions for the replacement of brominated solvents, as well as chlorinated solvents, chlorofluorocarbon solvents, and hydrochlorofluorocarbon solvents. Unlike products that contain these ingredients, FluoSolv® solutions are formulated with azeotropic fluorinated fluids and trans-dichloroethylene (t-DCE) that are non-flammable, non-hazardous, non-ozone depleting, and protect workers from the neurotoxic effects that result from incidental or chronic contact with 1-bromopropane.
FluoSolv® products are used in a variety of industries by companies that need bromopropane replacements, including: aerospace and military, metal finishing, electronics manufacturing and maintenance, oil and gas, optics and fiber optics maintenance, semiconductor/SMT/wave maintenance, transportation and transit maintenance, medical tool cleaning, and general industrial cleaning. We will help you choose the right FluoSolv® products for your needs.
Place Your Order Today
If your company needs a drop-in solution for replacing 1-bromopropane products, our line of FluoSolv® solutions make excellent bromopropane replacements. If you need assistance choosing a FluoSolv® product that meets the requirements of 1-bromopropane in the capacity that you use it, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or fill out the contact form on our website. We look forward to providing you with a solution that is safe for your workers and the environment.
Spray Solvents: Curbing The Dangers of Exposure
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersSpray solvents are used to dissolve another substance and come in several forms including the common aerosol can. Organic cleaners, in particular, pose significant danger to the environment and overall health when released into the air. The danger is less if the chemical will only be released for a short period of time in a well ventilated area. Extended or significant use increases the risk of solvent exposure with small enclosed spaces having the most potential for danger. In order for spray solvents to be less harmful their usage needs to be controlled by:
If you are using the wrong equipment then the risk of inhalation or skin exposure to certain spray solvents is high. For example, conventional spraying with compressed air for painting creates excessive overspray, which in turn puts a mist in the air capable of traveling for an extended distance.
Ventilation is equally important because lack of clean air increases the concentration of the compounds evaporating into the surrounding environment. Mechanical ventilation is sometimes needed to properly ventilate work areas and prevent harm. When using spray solvents, it is also important to segregate the work area by keeping people at a distance who do not need to be exposed. Finally, respirators or other breathing apparatuses are sometimes necessary for extreme exposure scenarios to ensure breathed air is not contaminated. There is another option: choose a solvent or alternative that is less toxic and safer for the environment.
What Qualities Are Important for Safer Handling?
Every spray solvent has specific risks when inhaled, entering the eyes, and in other scenarios. There is no completely safe chemical making it important to read labels and follow any stated precautions. Environmentally friendly choices offer a reliable replacement to banned solvents like CFC (chlorofluorocarbon). The best spray solvents for improved safety have these important usage benefits:
Depending on the application, you may not be able to obtain each of these qualities, but even a non-toxic, non-flammable choice is safer. Spray solvents with little to no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and HAPs ensure that minimal harm is present as the solvent is released into the air during use. These pose specific harm to the environment and consistent exposure is dangerous. The type of application will also contribute to what environmentally friendly options are available as an alternative.
Spray solvent providers formulate their products based on the application, strength, etc. and some will only be suited for certain tasks such as electrical cleaning. At Ecolink, we have formulated many alternative spray solvents for safer handling and reduced environmental harm. They do not contain CFC’s, are non-flammable, have faster drying times, and are less toxic than their traditional counterparts. We are also able to blend a unique formula based on your needs to achieve coating or cleaning objectives in a safer, environmentally conscious manner. Contact us today to learn more.