Posted By GavinR
Hi everyone,

We have had a request to start using isopropanol for a engineering cleaning process. I'm currently completing the COSHH assessment and would prefer to source an alternative chemical that would not have the same hazards associated with it. Does anyone know of a service or organisation that i could contact to request this? The chemical supplier was not very helpful when asked.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Gav

Posted By GavinR
Hi Paul,

Well both to be honest but i feel the main concern would be flammability. It appears the intended use will require specific material wipes to be saturated with the isoproponal and parts wiped until clean. It will be carried out in large ventilated areas but still the MSDS states it is heavier than air and will collect in drains, pits, etc. If they intend to saturate the wipes I'm thinking there will be bigger risk of vapours collecting as above, more potential for contact with ignition source and more potential for inhalation and skin issues. It would be impracticable to introduce LEV at work area so we would be relying on PPE and large working area for ventilation. Just not totally happy with this and would prefer to find an alternative.

Gav

Posted By Bob Shillabeer
Gavin, I take it you have identified a less hazardous substance that does as good a job or you would not be concerned. Having identified a less hazardous alternative that does the job equally as good you are legally required to use the alternative or face a charge of not complying with the COSHH Regulations. As to your chemical supplier not being very helpful, I guess this is because of commercial reasons in that he doesn't do an alternative, find another supplier who does.

Posted By Jeffrey Watt
Gav

Slightly different approach may be to water it down.

Many moons ago we bought in 70% IPA pre-soaked wipes (still flammable)for trial. They were effective cleaners but without the risk of spills and reduced exposure to solvent quantities.

For other technical reasons we did not proceed with them. But it made me think how dilute can you make the IPA and still be effective, therefore reducing environmental, fire and health risk.

Kind regards

Jeff

Posted By Robert K Lewis
I personally feel that you need to look at volume control of the alcohol in the workplace to overcome many of the problems. Good laboratory practice would be around 250ml at any workpoint. Also be aware that you will probably be purchasing a 60-70% solution in any case as greater purity cannot be obtained by simple distillation, hence this is far more expensive.

As a cleaner, particularly for such as electrical and electronic componenets, it is far superior too many others and leaves no residue. Ethanol comes close but it has certain other properties that make it difficult, ie people do tend to dilute it for some reason to around 37-40degree proof:-) On the subject of toxicity I realise it is about twice the toxicity of ethanol but Methylated Spirit is about ten times the toxicity of ethanol, due to the methanol present.

Given that you can find the right gloves and can use something like a glove-box to limit fume I think you are perhaps becoming over concerned. Unless of course you feel there are reasons not to trust the workforce. Many injection swabs now use this alcohol in order to avoud many of the ethanol/surgical spirit problems.

Bob

Posted By garyh
But in my view its not just the quantity used -how much of this liquid will turn to the vapour state? If you know this (and this is not an easy thing to work out) you could could then estimate the likely atmospheric concentration and compare with the explosion limits, WEL and so on.

Bear in mind that you can often smell solvents like IPA when they are well below any sort of limit; a problem may be perceived which actually is not an issue.

If in doubt - measure the levels in the atmosphere.

Posted By Alan Nicholls
Hi Gavin
You have not said if it is for de-greasing,
We use several water soluble agents for this purpose, they have anti corrosion elements included. Alloy,brass,steel,copper and cast materials plastic no problem!

Perhaps a little more detail would be useful

Regards Alan N