Solvents
Solvents dissolve paint, grease and glue. Products like thinners, degreasers, adhesives, cleaners and some coatings give off vapors that can make you dizzy, damage your nervous system, irritate your skin, and catch fire.
- Construction
- General Industry
Common solvents
Mineral spirits, acetone, xylene, toluene, MEK, lacquer thinner, methylene chloride (some paint strippers) and many degreasers.
Health effects
- Short term: headache, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, eye and throat irritation. In enclosed spaces, high levels can cause unconsciousness and death.
- Long term: nervous system, liver and kidney damage with repeated exposure.
- Skin: dryness, cracking and dermatitis; some solvents pass through skin into the body.
Protection
- Substitute safer, water-based or low-VOC products where possible.
- Ventilate. Never use solvents in tanks, pits or small rooms without ventilation and air monitoring.
- Wear gloves made of material rated for that solvent (check the SDS). Latex is often useless.
- Use respirators with the right cartridges when required.
- Keep containers closed and away from ignition sources. See Flammable Liquids.
- Don’t wash your hands with solvents.
Paint strippers with methylene chloride have killed workers refinishing bathtubs and floors in small rooms. Use safer alternatives.
Standards & references
- 29 CFR 1910.1000: Air contaminants
- OSHA: Methylene chloride
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