Implementing Safer Alternatives to Lithographic Cleanup Solvents to Protect the Health of Workers and the Environment

Abstract

The use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Can bio‐based chemicals meet demand? Global and regional case‐study around citrus waste‐derived limonene as a solvent for cleaning applications

“…In January 2015, the State of Indiana (USA) outlawed the use of any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – including toluene – in industrial cleaning applications . In this context, occupational health and safety also comes at stake, as a clear trend shows labor organizations worldwide setting increasingly tough limits for airborne toluene . These recent developments will place the toluene market in a critical position in the future, and thus incentivize the consideration of alternatives.…”

Do insulation products of man‐made vitreous fibres still cause skin discomfort?

“…In this study using focus groups and structured interviews, we hoped to receive answers to the following questions: ‘Which current MMVF material or product in use causes the most skin discomfort?’, ‘What task/working position/situation causes the most skin discomfort?’, and ‘Where on the body do you experience discomfort most?’ In all, 106 participants contributed with their opinions and experience in focus groups and by structured interviews. The number of focus group participants is quite large as compared with many other focus group studies . Participants were building construction workers, bricklayers, loose wool insulators, electricians, pipe and ventilation insulators, high‐school teachers, and do‐it‐yourself consumers.…”

“…In a study in Libby, Montana, United States, focus group methods were used in a community experiencing a disaster caused by widespread asbestos exposure . In both medical research and occupational and public health studies, focus groups have been used frequently to obtain a variety of information from patients or workers . Focus groups have been used in dermatology to obtain data concerning experiences of many conditions, for example pruritus in psoriasis , dermatological treatments , and hidradenitis .…”

“…In all, 106 participants contributed with their opinions and experience in focus groups and by structured interviews. The number of focus group participants is quite large as compared with many other focus group studies (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29). Participants were building construction workers, bricklayers, loose wool insulators, electricians, pipe and ventilation insulators, high-school teachers, and do-it-yourself consumers.…”

Engineering Case Report

“…For example, the presence of odor as a warning property is generally not a reliable indicator of chemical exposure, most notably because different individuals detect chemicals such as toluene at different concentrations. (6) In the case of toluene, this odor threshold has been reported to range over four orders of magnitude; (7)(8)(9) therefore, not everyone would detect a harmful concentration of toluene. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Fact Sheet for Toluene states that "Measuring the amount of a substance in the air is the only reliable way to determine the exposure level."…”