Though benzene is commonly used by many industries, it is considered hazardous to humans and particularly harmful to the environment. Luckily, there are several eco-friendly substitutes for benzene on the market.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the risks associated with using benzene, and how you can find an environmentally conscious alternative to this harsh solvent.
Benzene & The Risks
Benzene is a controversial yet widely used hydrocarbon industrial solvent utilized for various applications, such as the production of plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, lubricants, dyes, and rubbers. It is also present in many paint removers, paint thinners, and detergents.
However, benzene is extremely toxic, and the list of risks associated with the chemical is particularly extensive:
- Carcinogen (can cause leukemia or various blood cancers)
- Can damage the immune system by changing antibody levels
- Can cause drowsiness or dizziness
- Highly flammable
- Serious skin, eye, and respiratory irritants
- Potential reproductive toxin
- Can potentially cause anemia (causes bone marrow to not produce enough red blood cells)
- Air pollutant
- Water contaminant
As an air pollutant, benzene can react with other volatile chemicals to produce smog, which has the potential to leak into rain and contaminate soil and water.
Are There Any Effective Eco-friendly Substitutes for Benzene?
Fortunately, for those searching for an alternative that effectively replaces benzene, there are various options for environmentally conscious solvents that do not compromise worker safety for quality:
- Acetone
- Ethanol
- Methanol
- 2-propanol
Not only are these options significantly safer for humans, but they are not classified as air pollutants and do not contribute to ozone depletion.
Acetone vs. Benzene
Acetone is the perfect example of a highly effective eco-friendly substitute for benzene because it possesses the same versatility as the chemical without contributing to environmental harm and toxicity.
There are multiple benefits of using acetone over benzene:
- Highly effective as an industrial and commercial solvent
- Used for similar applications as benzene, such as in paint removers, varnish removers, and thinners, for degreasing and cleaning.
- Not an air pollutant or volatile organic substance
- Inexpensive
- Low toxicity
- Water soluble
Ready to Make the Switch?
If you are looking to replace your outdated or hazardous solvents like benzene, you are in the perfect place! At Ecolink, we pride ourselves on providing environmentally preferred chemicals for various businesses and industries.
We also help companies find the best chemical products for their specific needs. Reach out to us today to receive a free quote and consultation!
What Are Some Eco-Friendly MEK Replacements?
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersMEK, also known as methyl ethyl ketone, is a controversial chemical that remains in the mainstream of various industries. The ketone industrial solvent is considered effective and is commonly used in the manufacturing of plastics, in paint removers, and as a cleaning agent.
Though MEK has been one of the most reliable cleaning solvents for many companies, many are starting to question the health risks associated with the chemical and if there are any safer replacements for it.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the hazards associated with exposure to this chemical, and where you can find safer, eco-friendly MEK replacements.
The Hazards of MEK
MEK is now considerably infamous for its toxicity, as many studies have exposed its potential to cause damage to workers’ health:
Is There Any Effective MEK Replacement?
Luckily, for companies searching to create a safer workplace and ensure the safety of their employees’ health, there are multiple options and several MEK replacements available that are significantly less toxic. Two such options are acetone or Preptone.
Acetone is a common MEK replacement due to its efficiency, low toxicity, and inexpensiveness. But those searching for a specifically formulated effective cleaning agent may be more interested in a product like Preptone.
What Is Preptone?
Preptone is a fast-evaporating wipe solvent consisting of a blend of high-purity d-limonene in an acetone base. The terpene-containing solvent performs much more effectively than ketone solvents like MEK and TCE.
The list of benefits of using Preptone over MEK is enough to convince many to make the switch:
With a product like Preptone available, companies can choose to preserve workers’ health and well-being without compromising quality.
Interested in Trying Preptone?
If you are looking to see if you are eligible to try a sample of Preptone or have any questions regarding products for your industrial needs, reach out to our staff at Ecolink today!
Eco-Friendly Substitute for Toluene
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersToluene is a hydrocarbon solvent utilized by various industries for different applications, mostly in paint thinners, permanent markers, various glues, oil refining, and the production of paints.
Though toluene has been occasionally recommended as an eco-friendlier and safer replacement for benzene, it is linked to multiple health and environmental risks, such as:
Are There Any Eco-friendly Substitutes for Toluene?
Thankfully, there are various options available that can effectively replace toluene and ensure a safer workspace and less harm to the environment.
Here are some of the greener alternatives on the market:
What Is Ethyl Lactate?
Ethyl lactate is a green solvent derived from lactic acid that has effectively replaced hazardous solvents like toluene and xylene. Due to its effectiveness in cleaning, it is mostly used as a cleaner and degreaser for various metals to remove greases and oils.
The chemical is also utilized in the polyurethane industry and can dissolve various polyurethane resins. The solvent also possesses many desirable qualities, making it a greener and safer option for companies:
What Is TMO?
TMO is an ether solvent that effectively replaces most hydrocarbon solvents, namely toluene. TMO is becoming an increasingly popular option for those searching for a substitute for toluene due to its highly desirable properties as a solvent:
What Is Safe Strip?
Safe Strip is an eco-friendly paint and resin solvent that also effectively replaces hazardous solvents like toluene, benzene, and methylene chloride. The solvent also possessed very desirable properties for those searching for an eco-friendly paint stripper:
With these highly effective options available, companies must no longer depend on a solvent that harms the environment and endangers workers using them.
Looking for Safer Substitutes for Toluene?
At Ecolink, we offer many environmentally preferred options for various industrial applications. Please reach out to our expert staff to find the best product for your business needs or with any questions regarding our products.
How to Avoid Using Benzene & Choose Greener Alternatives
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersBenzene is a hydrocarbon industrial solvent used in various industries, such as in the production of rubbers, lubricants, plastics, synthetic fibers, resins, and dyes. The chemical is also present in various paint products such as paint thinners, paint removers, and varnish removers. Though a widely used solvent in the U.S., companies, and industries are beginning to avoid using benzene and using replacements due to the multiple health and environmental risks associated with it:
Many companies relied on benzene as a solvent because of its versatility, reliability, and effectiveness. But the pros no longer outweigh the cons when efficient, eco-friendly, and worker-friendly alternatives are now widely available.
What Are Some Options That Will Enable Companies to Avoid Using Benzene?
There are options that work just as effectively as industrial solvents and ensure a significantly safer workspace and less contribution to environmental damage:
When looking specifically at an eco-friendly solvent like acetone, utilizing it over products containing benzene provides multiple benefits:
Looking for Greener Alternatives?
If you are searching for an eco-friendly alternative to benzene, then you are in the right place. At Ecolink, we offer various environmentally preferred options for various industrial applications. Please reach out to us to find the best product for your business needs or with any questions regarding our products!
Eco-Friendly Substitutes for Benzene
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersThough benzene is commonly used by many industries, it is considered hazardous to humans and particularly harmful to the environment. Luckily, there are several eco-friendly substitutes for benzene on the market.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the risks associated with using benzene, and how you can find an environmentally conscious alternative to this harsh solvent.
Benzene & The Risks
Benzene is a controversial yet widely used hydrocarbon industrial solvent utilized for various applications, such as the production of plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, lubricants, dyes, and rubbers. It is also present in many paint removers, paint thinners, and detergents.
However, benzene is extremely toxic, and the list of risks associated with the chemical is particularly extensive:
As an air pollutant, benzene can react with other volatile chemicals to produce smog, which has the potential to leak into rain and contaminate soil and water.
Are There Any Effective Eco-friendly Substitutes for Benzene?
Fortunately, for those searching for an alternative that effectively replaces benzene, there are various options for environmentally conscious solvents that do not compromise worker safety for quality:
Not only are these options significantly safer for humans, but they are not classified as air pollutants and do not contribute to ozone depletion.
Acetone vs. Benzene
Acetone is the perfect example of a highly effective eco-friendly substitute for benzene because it possesses the same versatility as the chemical without contributing to environmental harm and toxicity.
There are multiple benefits of using acetone over benzene:
Ready to Make the Switch?
If you are looking to replace your outdated or hazardous solvents like benzene, you are in the perfect place! At Ecolink, we pride ourselves on providing environmentally preferred chemicals for various businesses and industries.
We also help companies find the best chemical products for their specific needs. Reach out to us today to receive a free quote and consultation!
Best Eco-Friendly Paint Solvents
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersThe solvents in paint thinners dissolve the paint, making a thinner mixture that aids in the paint application process. While paint thinners are helpful, they also come with their downfalls.
Many of the solvents used in paint thinners are highly toxic, making them extremely harmful to workers and the environment. Luckily, there are several eco-friendly paint solvents on the market today that you can use to avoid the negative effects associated with traditional paint thinners.
Why Traditional Paint Solvents Are Unsafe
The most widely used chemicals in paint solvents include benzene, toluene, MEK, and methylene chloride. These solvents all have one thing in common: they are hazardous to both humans and the environment. The hazards associated with these chemicals create an unsafe workspace and pose dangerous risks to the environment:
It is a common misconception that eco-friendly chemicals are not as effective or reliable as traditional solvents. Though these are the most common ingredients you will see in various paint solvents, new eco-friendly products are becoming increasingly popular and are effectively replacing these hazardous solvents.
What are the Examples of Eco-Friendly Paint Solvents?
It may be a surprise to some, but companies no longer have to compromise harm to the environment and worker safety for quality, as there are various effective options available, such as soy-based solvents, terpene-based solvents, and acetone. The desirable qualities of these options present multiple benefits over hazardous solvents:
Another highly desirable benefit of acetone as an environmentally conscious paint solvent is its versatility, as it can be used for heavy degreasing, dissolving/stripping paints or grease, or mixing with paints as a paint thinner.
Looking to Explore Eco-Friendly Paint Thinner Options?
You are in the perfect place! Here at Ecolink, we do everything we can to ensure companies find the best eco-friendly chemical products for their needs.
To find out which of our products is best for your company’s needs, reach out to our expert team today for a free quote and consultation!