Industrial Degreasers – Cutting the Carbon Footprint

One of the most pertinent concerns people and organizations have pertaining to industrial degreasers is the safety, or lack thereof, regarding the chemicals that have been used to make up the potent solution that will successfully clean metal objects and certain materials. Nowadays, there is a much greater concern for finding methods to reduce the carbon footprint people and companies leave on this planet, as there should be. Preserving the earth should be a practice performed by every institution, especially those that are involved in an industry that could be hurting the environment, especially if specific precautions are not taken to ensure safety.

Creating solvents and solutions through a chemical process is definitely one area that is most scrutinized, as more often than not there is a chemical being used that can endanger the planet, either through the air effecting the ozone or seeping into the ground and killing organic growth. Not only is the planet in danger, but these hazardous materials could seriously injure or harm a human being. This is why more government oversight organizations are being created, to ensure businesses are doing the right thing and using solutions that will cut the carbon footprint, especially if those solutions are readily available.

Eco friendly, green alternative industrial degreasers are available, just ask Ecolink. One of Ecolink’s many purposes is to educate and inform people and companies about the numerous green alternative options that are available to companies that are in the business of frequently using industrial degreasers to clean parts. Ecolink stresses that finding ways for companies to reduce their carbon footprint should be a primary task, especially since steps needed to make the change are actually quite simple, quick, and actually quite cost effective.

Ecolink can also help businesses find the right eco friendly alternatives, depending on their needs. Cutting the carbon footprint is an ideal that Ecolink preaches steadily, and is willing to help any and all organizations make the green alternative change. Feel free to contact Ecolink with any questions or concerns you may have, or to find a solvent that will help you cut your carbon footprint now.

What Are Industrial Degreasing Solvents?

Industrial degreasing solvents are a solution that is used to prepare or ready a part or metal object for further or additional operations, such as painting or electroplating. The solvent is made up of a particular chemical solution, which could include multiple chemicals to make up a certain degreasing concoction, in order to dissolve machining fluids and contaminants that could be lingering on the part or metal object.

Whatever cleaning agent is decided on, it should be applied directly on the surface either by wiping, brushing or spraying. If done correctly, and if a strong enough industrial degreasing solvent was used, the entire process should have removed any dirt, oil, grease, loose particles, and any other contaminants that might still exist or have stained the surface of the material or object.

An additional step that people and companies use to clean a metal or whatever material it is that needs cleaning is through immersion. Immersing the object into a tank of some sort, with the contents of the industrial degreasing solvent and agitating it (similar to how a washing machine works) is an effective method to removing particles and contaminants from the piece.

The benefits to using industrial degreasing solvents versus other types of cleaning agents, especially vapor degreasing solutions, include:

  • The reduction of emissions when compared to vapor degreasing operations
  • Not nearly as much venting is required, which means it is much easier to rapidly set up and put in place a small degreasing operation
  • Liquid solvents are simply easier to deal with than vapor degreasing agents

To learn more about industrial degreasing solvents and how their use can benefit you or your company, get in touch with Ecolink sooner rather than later. Ecolink is an established company that can provide a plethora of knowledge and information as it pertains to industrial degreasing solvents, which will subsequently help you make the right decision based on what operation you are performing on your materials.

Industrial Degreasing Agents – Eco-Friendly Parts Washer Solvents Offer Several Rewarding Benefits

Cleaning agents are applied in numerous industries to remove grime, dirt, oil, grease, or other contaminants from a surface. Industrial degreasing agents are specially formulated to eliminate contaminants such as grease or oil from parts, machinery, and work areas within a structure. Less hazardous products containing alkaline chemicals in combination with surfactants have been developed to decrease environmental impact. Parts washer solvents are designed to dissolve and remove grease, dirt, or grime from surfaces without causing harm or leaving residue. They are applied in manufacturing or automotive industries to clean surfaces or parts during regular operations. A growing concern regarding environmental and health hazards of industrial degreasing agents has led to the formation of safer cleaning alternatives capable of providing equivalent removal results.

Why Should Companies Choose Environmentally Safe Products?

The solvents applied during production or refinishing processes have a direct effect on the health of workers and the environment. Organic solvents are frequently carbon based and can be natural or synthetic in nature. Natural forms originate from plants or animals through resource extraction while synthetic forms are generated through the reactions generated by the introduction of additional compounds. A volatile organic compound or VOC is a chemical capable of vaporizing at room temperatures. Traditional agents have a high VOC count thus making them harmful to use and less eco-friendly. Increased volatility results in these products having a lower boiling point, which causes more molecules to enter the surrounding atmosphere during use. Companies must take extra precautions to prevent worker harm and meet the stringent requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for products of this nature.

Exposure to the VOC’s released by these cleaning agents must be controlled to prevent respiratory, allergy, and immune system complications. Hazardous Air Pollutants or HAP’s are another concern with traditional industrial degreasing agents. These are any airborne substance capable of causing irreversible harm to individuals or the atmosphere and contribute to health complications such as:

  • Nervous System Toxicity
  • Reproductive Damage
  • Liver or Kidney Damage
  • Respiratory Issues
  • Cancer
  • Loss of Consciousness

Prolonged exposure to extensive amounts of VOC’s and HAP’s among workers has been proven to result in several adverse effects. Industrial degreasing agents used in automotive or manufacturing industries also pose direct harm to the environment. Leaks or spills of these solvents result in soil or water contamination, which poses significant harm to surrounding animal and plant life. Soil contamination is most common in areas where high VOC industrial degreasing agents are used regularly. Eco-friendly alternatives prevent atmospheric harm while supplying equivalent cleaning abilities for ensuring continued operational success. Water-based or less harmful naturally derived organic solutions allow companies to reduce associated hazards without losing the benefits of highly volatile parts washer solvents. If your company uses industrial degreasing agents regularly, it is time to evaluate the dangers of this choice. A less volatile alternative capable of providing the same results can be substituted to create a safer, eco-friendly workplace.

Industrial degreasing agents are necessary in a number of industries and play a pivotal safety role in machine parts cleaning processes. For more information about environmentally friendly, low VOC products, please call (800) 886-8240 or email info@ecolink.com.

Get to Know…Laura Turner!

Get to know our Client Solutions Specialist, Laura Turner! When she’s not busy cycling and training for her upcoming Century (that’s 100 MILES!), she’s busy reaching out to our customers and making sure all of their needs are met. Haven’t talked to her yet? Don’t worry, you will. Meet Laura!

laura name tag

What’s your position at Ecolink? Client Solutions Specialist

How long have you worked here? Began working here over three years ago, a few hours a week on special projects. My position today was created with the company in March of this year.

How did you get involved in this industry? From a referral three years ago from my church network.

Has Georgia always been home for you? It has, since moving here with my family when I was twelve years old. Before that, we lived in Oak Park, Illinois.

When you aren’t at work, what are you doing? Enjoing time with my family, friends, and riding my bicycle with my cycling network.

Where are we likely to find you on a Friday  night? Comfortably seated inside the movie theater, watching whatever movie was just released!

What would be the first thing you’d do (or buy) if you won the lottery? Extended warranty on this precious gift of life!

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Phyllis Diller

Are you a cat or a dog person? Dog person!

What’s your favorite time of year? Spring time

Favorite iPhone/Smart phone app? Strava–running & cycling GPS tracker & performance analytics

What three things you couldn’t live without if you were stranded on an island? Food & water, clothing, & shelter. Necessities!

What’s your favorite movie? The Shawshank Redemption

If you were a super hero, what would your name be? Super Chic

What super power would you like to have and why? The ability to read the minds of others. It would be especially helpful when communicating with those who are shy!

Something interesting about you? At the age of 10, I fell off my bicycle, head first, and had to be rushed to the emergency room.  Three layers of skin on my forehead was stitched up and I never really returned to riding a bicycle again until last May 2012.  I began my 2nd week of cycling by registering as a fundraiser and a rider in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure where I rode my first 37 miles.   After meeting  many of the seasoned cyclists who rode the 37 miles and 100 miles route, I knew this was what I wanted to do to have FUN while continuing to challenge my physical fitness within the cycling community.  Having just celebrated my 1 year as a cyclist in May 2013, I remain active with cycling on a weekly basis. I completed my longest distance single ride of 75 miles on May 27, 2013, and currently training for my first 100 miles (century) that I plan to do this September in the Wilson 100 (named in honor of Scott Wilson) where the contributions benefit the Southern Bicycle League’s Advocacy Fund and The Georgia Chapter of the Leukemia Society.

What TV shows do you watch regularly? The Biography Channel, The Big Bang Theory, and The Office

What was your first car? What happened to it? Honda Civic hatch back (stick shift!). I sold it after graduating high school to buy an Audi.

If you could travel in a time machine, would you go to the past or the future? Past–before I was born to see how life was when my parents grew up without the technology we have today!

Best piece of advice you were given? Kindness matters (be kind!)

Favorite holiday? Halloween–a guaranteed day of FUN!

Favorite foods? Fish, avocados, & mangoes — together they’re especially delicious!

What really gives you the creeps? The flying monkeys in The Wizard of Oz & the Wicked Witch’s sinister laugh (NOT FUNNY!)

What kitchen utensil would you be? A whisk! Great for blending ingredients TOGETHER and the dual ability of speed control producing different results.

Pick two celebrities to be your parents. My parents ARE celebrities to me!

What activities were you involved with as a kid? Gymnastics, basketball, softball, soccer, and cycling!

Most importantly, what’s your favorite part of your job? Being able to interact with our various customers, industries, and locations on a global level through the internet, telephone, and in person to provide them with the best solutions.

 

Do Industrial Chemical Dealers Need to be EPA & OSHA Compliant?

Present day laws and regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) require industrial chemical dealers to be compliant. This was not always the case, but fortunately, with a exorbitant increase in health and safety organizations acting as watchdogs to make sure companies that use potential hazardous chemicals are being regulated, the EPA and OSHA have made it mandatory for industrial chemical dealers to become compliant with federal laws and regulations. Coupled with the fact that there have been severe accidents, ranging from drastic oil spills to chemical plant explosions that have killed people, animals, and have harmed the environment, regulatory committees have had to become stricter about compliancy.

For everyone involved, this should come as good news, except perhaps those businesses who continue to use unsavory practices for cost cutting moves (pertaining to cleaning agents, most eco friendly products are actually cheaper) or because they are afraid that a different product will not produce the same effect. It is good news because green alternatives are usually more cost effective and they are safer. Industrial chemical dealers should also take advantage of the arrival of several green alternatives, as it provides positive publicity. In an age where the media catches everything, and everyone is connected to information through the use of one device or another, companies are under a microscope. If something goes wrong and your company is going to be held responsible, and it places your business in a negative light, everyone will not about it almost immediately. The ramifications of such a terrible event will be irrevocable.

If your company has any questions about EPA or OSHA compliance, they should contact Ecolink. Ecolink is known for keeping informed with any and all updates and changes to compliancy regulations, and companies would do well engaging Ecolink to learn more about what chemical products are allowed or unlawful.

Do you have a technical question about a chemical or one of our products? Just Ask the Chemist!