Rank: Forum user 
|
Hi All
I've had a quick search through old posts and I suspect there isn't an easy answer, but I'm going to ask for your thoughts anyway... I've been asked to advise whether paint A is better or worse than paint B from a H&S point of view. Both contain solvents. I have looked at EH40 but I'm not feeling very enlightened. There are the thinners to consider too. For example, White spirit nor its primary constituent 'Naphtha (Petroleum) Hydrodesulphurised Heavy' don't seem to be listed. And this is but one of many substances involved.
Is there any way to make a judgement on this without being a full-on chemist/Occ Health expert? Or can I just go off total % solvent in each; i.e. a 40% solvent paint can be considered less toxic than a 60% one?
I do have an Occ Health consultant due to visit but I wondered if I could get my head round this a bit before then..
Many thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Kay
The hazard presented by a solvent-based paint will depend on the toxicity and volatility of the components as well as their concentration so there is no simple answer to your query.
If your occ health consultant is unable to help, PM me as I am an occupational hygienist.
LB
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
I'm guessing your paints are of the dulux/crown type? Less volatile content may mean less potential for exposure, but the key requirement is good ventilation.
I recently attempted to paint some domestic doors using water-based paints. It took four coats (and still wasn't a great finish to be honest), the solvent based one would have needed 2 at most. The water-based one seems to attract more dirt and doesn't stand up to cleaning very well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
In theory you should be able to look at the Material Safety Data Sheets and ascertain the risks from these based on concentrations, ppms, mg/m³, STELS and LTELS, hazard symbols, etc and then take your protection and control measures into account. So, if you are spraying paint using a respirator with a filter for Xylene, the paint with toluene is going to be that much more harmful, even if the quantity is smaller, because you are not using the right equipment.
Compare your Safety Data Sheets and you will probably be able to make an adequate and educated decision without being a chemist.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user 
|
Monitor exposure first, it may be that one or other poses no risk at all. Educated decisions are not based on fact. Take up leadbelly's offer, this is what Occ hygienists are for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Is this comparison a part of the COSHH Assessment. In solvent-borne paints, the solvent is usually a Volatile Organic Hydrocarbon (VOC) and ventilation is the key, unless the paint is being applied where ventilation is negligible or non existent.
If you know that ventilation is negligible and you cannot incorporate LEV etc, then an option would be to use appropriate respirators if you cannot substitute the solvent borne paint with water/aqueous borne paints.
I very much doubt that there are different respirators/ cartridges for xylene & toluene as both are organic gases, therefore as per European standard: EN 14387, it should be an AX-Brown cartridge suitable for Organic gases and vapours with a boiling point at or below 65 ºC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
On checking, the boiling points of both xylene & toluene are greater that 65 degrees C, therefore an A-Brown cartridge suitable for Organic gases and vapours with a boiling point above 65 ºC wopuld be required. My apologies--but in any case respirator selection should be left to competent persons
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Just an aside - when I said Xylene and Toluene I was just pulling two solvents out of thin air to make the point about different respirators, I could have said potatoes and turnips and it would have meant the same thing. We use positive air fed equipment so different respirators are not required for our painting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
So we have spent time (and possibly money) trawling through EH40, checking boiling points and selecting RPE. Only to discover that the solvents named are not necessarily those in question. Still now we have exhausted this route,perhaps we should check on the skin. It gets more interesting now we have breakthrough times and degradation rates. Are we any nearer solving this conundrum or shall we monitor yet? Perhaps identifying the risk to health.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.