Upcoming EPA Solvent Restrictions

You stated EPA uses info from other organizations, why is this?
The EPA and panel experts have their own staff but they don’t have unlimited resources. They use the technology and data gathered from more professional organizations or doctors and scientists to help form a consensus of what these solvents look like. At that point, that consensus is looked at by panels by users, by manufacturers, and from that the risk evaluations are developed and released to the public.

If the solvent I’m using is on the TSCA list, does this mean it will be outlawed and when?
If it’s on the list, then it’s already been evaluated and published. That means there’s probably adverse health effects on using that solvent so it’s going to be prohibited or severely limited. Most time they just eliminate from manufacturing or use. So, if you are using one on the list, it probably will be affected drastically, and you probably have 1-2 years to make your conversion choices.

You state that KYZEN can help free of charge, how is that?
If you need technical assistance or advice, one of our Regional Managers would be glad to visit your site free of charge, look at your application, answer any questions you have, and offer you various solutions. It could be solvent, aqueous, or vacuum degreasing. There’s a lot of information we can share with you to help you form your final selection choices.

What is the main difference between vacuum degreasers and standard degreasers?
Most standard degreasers are what we consider open top or just open boxes with solvents inside and the work is brought into that box. That means as the work is brought in, its open to the atmosphere which means the operators are exposed. There are emissions that come into the atmosphere that may have to be treated so they are less efficient in terms of solvent usage. Vacuum degreasers on the other hand have sealed chambers. When the work goes in, the chambers are sealed, the vacuum is pulled, and the work is processed under a vacuum. The best thing is at the end of the process, after the parts are clean, there is a vacuum pull on the chamber and all the solvent is extracted out and recovered inside the machine. Nothing to the operator exposure and nothing to the atmosphere.

I’m considering switching to modified alcohol, will it be acceptable to the EPA for long-term use?
Modified alcohol is basically the fastest growing trend in the world. Its been around for a long time and basically has approval in Europe. Its being used in the US under EPA guidelines, and because its not a HAP and doesn’t have chlorine in it, we feel its going to be around for a number of years. Its kind of an open-ended question, I cant say forever, but its very popular right now and looks like its going to be around.