PartsCleaning-BestEnvironmentalPracticesforAuto.PDFVIP

AQUEOUS PARTS CLEANING Best Environmental Practices for Auto Repair l November 1999 What’s wrong with solvents? Mineral spirits is a solvent commonly used for part cleaning because of its ability to quickly dissolve oil, grease, dirt, grime, burnt-on carbon, and heavy lubricants. Although it is effective for cleaning, mineral spirits raises significant environ- mental and human health concerns: ? Mineral spirits contains volatile organic compounds (VOC) that contribute to smog formation and may be toxic when inhaled. ? Mineral spirits evaporates quickly, making worker exposure difficult to control. ? Spent mineral spirits is a hazardous waste and the shop owner is responsible for proper disposal of all hazardous wastes. ? Some areas of the country have already restricted use of solvents in parts cleaning operations. Using solvents creates unnecessary environmental, worker health, and fire liabilities for your shop. Minimize your costs and liabilities by switching to aqueous solutions. What is an aqueous cleaner and how does it work? Aqueous cleaners are water-based solutions that