Ann. occup. Hyg., Vol. 47, No. 6, pp. 441-459, 2003
© 2003 British Occupational Hygiene Society
Published by Oxford University Press
Review |
Technical, Occupational Health and Environmental Aspects of Metal Degreasing with Aqueous Cleaners
Groupe de Recherche en Toxicologie Humaine (TOXHUM), Département de Santé Environnementale et Santé au Travail, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, PO Box 6128, Main Station, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada
Received 20 August 2002; in final form 17 March 2003
Aqueous cleaners used for metal degreasing are detergent formulations containing surfactants (such as linear alkylbenzene sulphonates, alkylphenol ethoxylates or alcohol ethoxylates), builders (such as hydroxides, phosphates or silicates), sequestrants (such as EDTA or NTA), anti-corrosive agents (such as ethanolamines), solvents (such as glycol ethers or d-limonene) and other specialty additives. Generally sold as concentrates, they are typically diluted between 3 and 20 times in water, leading to solutions containing only a few per cent active products. The cleaning efficiency depends on physicochemical phenomena such as wetting, solubilization, emulsification, dispersion, sequestration and saponification, and is enhanced by thermal and mechanical energy. Cleaning equipment is based on spraying or immersion of the parts and may include drying and rinsing steps. Because of the complexity and variability of the mixtures, the occupational health and environmental evaluation of aqueous cleaners is based on the study of their components. Aqueous cleaners are generally believed to present a low risk to workers’ health and to the environment. However, some anionic surfactants and strong alkalis are skin and eye irritants, ethanolamines are allergenic and several glycol ethers of the ethylene glycol family are proven systemic toxicants that are easily absorbed through the skin. Although most components of aqueous cleaners are biodegradable and of low ecotoxicity, alkylphenol ethoxylates degrade into persistent and toxic compounds. Phosphates, if released directly into the environment, may cause eutrophication of rivers and lakes. Waste recycling or treatment by specialized facilities is usually required for spent solutions containing contaminants such as oils and heavy metals. From a technical, toxicological and environmental standpoint, aqueous cleaners can be used successfully to replace traditional organic solvents used in metal degreasing.
Keywords: aqueous cleaners; detergency; environment; metal degreasing; occupational health; surfactants; toxicology
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  M. Debia, D. Begin, and M. Gerin Comparative Evaluation of Overexposure Potential Indices used in Solvent Substitution Ann. Hyg., June 1, 2009; 53(4): 391 - 401. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. OGDEN Annals of Occupational Hygiene at Volume 50: Many Achievements, a Few Mistakes, and an Interesting Future Ann. Hyg., November 1, 2006; 50(8): 751 - 764. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|