Product category:
Materials and components
News Release from: Enviro Tech Europe
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 26 June 2006
Trichloroethylene - unsafe at any level?
UK users of trichloroethylene are advised to discuss safety requirements with the HSE, and to ensure they have a substitution plan in place.
It has long since been argued that there is no safe limit for exposure standards of products known to be carcinogens, but threshold limit values (TLVs) do offer some advice when making risk assessments Trichloroethylene is widely known to carry the risk phrase R45 - "may cause cancer"
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 27 Jan 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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However some confusion has existed regarding worker exposure standards for user protection.
Variations exist around the world.
When reclassified as a carcinogen it was expected that new standards would be established in the UK to dramatically reduce the existing maximum exposure limit of 100ppm.
But this is difficult as there is no known safety level.
It is considered that existing directives to substitute trichloroethylene and the need to find a safer alternative in the "shortest possible time" for those affected by the Solvent Emissions Directive is sufficient to ensure protection.
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), which advises the USEPA, has proposed a recommended TLV standard of 10ppm.
If this is unopposed it seems likely that this may soon become an accepted standard in the USA.
UK users of trichloroethylene are advised to discuss safety requirements with the HSE, and to ensure they have a substitution plan in place if they have obligations under the Solvent Emissions Directive. Request free introductory details about products from Enviro Tech Europe ...
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