Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario
  • EVENTS
  • TRAINING & PROGRAMS
    • Cyber Security Program
    • Health & Safety Training
    • Leadership Training
    • Sales Training
    • Digital Marketing Training
    • Lean Training
      • Online Lean Certification
      • Lean Training Events
    • Benefit Program
    • Health & Safety Excellence Program
    • Plant Tour Focus Groups
  • MEMBERS DIRECTORY
  • NEWS
  • ABOUT
    • About Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario
    • What is a Cluster?
    • Watch our Rebranding Announcement
    • How It Works
    • Membership Includes
    • Mission & Vision
    • Board of Directors
    • Our History
    • Contact Us
  • JOB BOARD
  • MARKET PLACE
    • BUY & SELL
    • PRO’S CORNER
    • MEMBERS SERVICES & PROGRAMS
      • Post your service or program
  • EXPORT RESOURCES
  • RFQ
  • JOIN NOW
    • Why Join
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
    • Join Now
  • LOG IN
Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario
  • EVENTS
  • TRAINING & PROGRAMS
    • Cyber Security Program
    • Health & Safety Training
    • Leadership Training
    • Sales Training
    • Digital Marketing Training
    • Lean Training
      • Online Lean Certification
      • Lean Training Events
    • Benefit Program
    • Health & Safety Excellence Program
    • Plant Tour Focus Groups
  • MEMBERS DIRECTORY
  • NEWS
  • ABOUT
    • About Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario
    • What is a Cluster?
    • Watch our Rebranding Announcement
    • How It Works
    • Membership Includes
    • Mission & Vision
    • Board of Directors
    • Our History
    • Contact Us
  • JOB BOARD
  • MARKET PLACE
    • BUY & SELL
    • PRO’S CORNER
    • MEMBERS SERVICES & PROGRAMS
      • Post your service or program
  • EXPORT RESOURCES
  • RFQ
  • JOIN NOW
    • Why Join
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
    • Join Now
  • LOG IN
Nov 19

The dangers of using solvent-based cleaners for employees

  • November 19, 2020
  • GlueGuard
  • Blog

Written by GlueGuard, BWA Associate Member

The vast majority of industries such as automotive, aerospace, general manufacturing and biomedical need to adhere to strict parts cleaning regulation. To do so effectively and inexpensively, most resort to the use of solvent-based cleaners, such as acetone, alcohol, methanol, kerosene, petroleum and more.

Solvent-based cleaners work by dissolving away the dirt, grease, oil or paints. They’re highly corrosive substances which makes them effective but also increases the rink of health hazards. Most solvent-based cleaners contain mineral spirits, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), as well as chlorinated solvents like xylenes, benzene, and trichloroethane, all of which pose serious environmental, economic and health concerns.

Working with solvent-based cleaners may appear cost-effective in the short term but can put your employees at serious risk of developing short-term and long-term health issues. Even taking the necessary precautions such as wearing gloves only slightly reduces the risks as solvents can enter the human body when you breathe them. The solvents can also penetrate the skin and get into the body fat in the skin, nerves and brain tissue.

The short-term dangers of working with solvent-based cleaners include irritation of the eyes, lungs, and skin (a condition known as dermatitis). A large number of people working with solvents report severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, and light-headedness. The concerns don’t stop there: exposure to solvents may impair your coordination which increases your risks of having an accident. The high concentration of VOCs in most solvent-based cleaners also makes them highly flammable which poses additional risks for employees in many industries.

Many of the toxic effects of solvent-based cleaners don’t show up until much later. Doctors are raising concerns about the link between exposure to solvents and an increased risk of cancer. A recent study described some of the long-term health effects of solvent exposure, including increased incidence of leukaemia in employees exposed to benzene, renal cancers in those, working with chlorinated hydrocarbons, and scleroderma in response to mixed solvents. There are also concerns that working with solvent-based products can lead to personality changes, memory impairments, and neurological deficits, though more research is needed to confirm the findings.

The problem is that, even with precautions in place, exposure is difficult to get under control as the solvents (particularly petroleum solvents) evaporate rapidly. In some industries, such as industrial degreasing, dermal uptake of the solvent is almost impossible to prevent.

The relatively low cost of solvent-based cleaners makes them a widely popular choice in a range of industries, looking for effective and inexpensive parts cleaning supplies. However, exposure to solvents can lead to a range of acute and chronic health issues, amongst which an increased risk of cancer. An alternative is to use water-based cleaners which typically contain little to no VOCs and minimize your employees’ occupational health hazards.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

Related Posts

  • The Hidden Advantages of a Preventative Maintenance ProgramNovember 20, 2020
  • Key tips for keeping you PUR equipment happy and your investment healthyNovember 18, 2020

Comments are closed.

Member Login

Forgot password?

-

Do you have suggestions for topics and events?

Tell us what’s on your mind! Click here to send us your thoughts!

Don’t Miss Out on WMCO Events & News!
Click here to join our mailing list!

Click here to join WMCO.

Recent Posts

  • WMCO’s Toyota Cambridge Plant Tour Focus Group – February 22nd, 2023
  • WMCO Networking Event: Lean for the Office (Woodland Horizons Case Study); Economic Forecast/Financial Business Mgt Strategies
  • Happy New Year, Everyone!
  • Membership Inquiry/RFQ: Sensory Resonance Healing Chamber
  • WMCO Newsletter: Lean Yellow Belt; Buyers Guide to Tech & Shop Tour

Social

Facebook
LinkedIn

Do you have suggestions for topics and events?

Tell us what’s on your mind! Click here to send us your thoughts!

Don’t Miss Out on WMCO Events & News!
Click here to join our mailing list!

Login

Forgot password?

-

Facebook
LinkedIn

© Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario 2022
Wood Manufacturers are recognizing how eliminating waste is key to staying competitive and adaptable to change in our evolving industry!

BWA Plant Tour Focus Group @ Woody's Manufacturing Ltd.

Bluewater Wood Alliance Benefit Plan

 

Hear what members are saying about Bluewater Wood Alliance.

Hear what members are saying about Bluewater Wood Alliance.

Great, you're interested in contributing to the BWA Blogs!

Login to the BWA site.

In the member drop down menu select post a blog to get started.

When you’re finished

Video Summary of the BWA Sandler Training Sales Training Events

BWA Career Hub – Making Connections

 

BWA Career Hub – Making Connections

 

Wood Manufacturers are recognizing how eliminating waste is key to staying competitive and adaptable to change in our evolving industry!

BWA Plant Tour Focus Group @ Woody's Manufacturing Ltd.

Video Summary of the BWA Sales Training Events

Great, you're interested in contributing to the BWA Blogs!

Login to the BWA site.

In the member drop down menu select post a blog to get started.

When you’re finished