www jst umn edu Chemical Substitutions To eliminate

www. jst. umn. edu Chemical Substitutions To eliminate / minimize hazards Common Substitutions and Evaluating a Potential Substitution

Common Chemical Substitutions Instead of : Consider: Benzene Toluene, Cyclohexane, Ketones Carbon tetrachloride 1, 1, 1 - trichloroethane or Isopropyl alcohol Diethyl ether (extractions) Hexanes Chromate ion (oxidation) Hypochlorite ion Formaldehyde (bio preservation) Ethanol or commercial product (ex. Formalternate) Methanol Ethanol, anhydrous Mineral oil Silicon oil K or Na (reactive group 1 metals) Ca or Mg Strong Acid (HCl) / Base (OH-) Acetic acid / bicarbonate Benzoyl peroxide (catalyst) 30% Hydrogen peroxide or Lauroyl Peroxide Chemical Substitution. Health Canada, Environmental and Workplace www. jst. umn. edu Health. Accessed 8 Jan 2014. http: //www. hc-sc. gc. ca/ewhsemt/occup-travail/whmis-simdut/substitution-eng. php Stroud, L. M. Substitution of a more hazardous chemical by a less 2

Considering a Potential Substitute Hazards Is the replacement less hazardous ? Read SDS Ensure one hazard is not exchanged for another. Effectiveness Does it meet the process requirements? Is it likely to work? Evaluate & Compare (health, fire, corrosivity, reactivity, etc. ) Control Measures Is the new substance adequately controlled by the existing system? (ventilation, vapor pressure, Compatibility Does it interfere or react with other materials or the equipment? temperature, flash point, flammability, etc. ) www. jst. umn. edu Substitution of Chemicals – Considerations for Selection. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Updated 1 March 2009. Accessed 8 Jan 2013. http: //www. ccohs. ca/oshanswers/chemicals/substitution. html 3

More Resources • Transitioning to Safer Chemicals. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Accessed 8 Jan 2014, https: //www. osha. gov/dsg/safer_chemicals/basics. html • IC 2 Safer Alternative Assessments. Accessed 8 Jan 2014, http: //www. ic 2 saferalternatives. org/ • Chemical Substitution. Health Canada, Environmental and Workplace Health. Accessed 8 Jan 2014, http: //www. hc-sc. gc. ca/ewh-semt/occuptravail/whmis-simdut/substitution-eng. php • Stroud, L. M. Substitution of a more hazardous chemical by a less hazardous chemical. Science and Safety Consulting Services. Accessed 8 Jan 2014, www. sciencesafetyconsulting. com/pdf/chemical_substitutions. pdf www. jst. umn. edu 4