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Trichloroethylene (TCE) has historically been used for various
cleaning and degreasing applications. Because of the human and
environmental health effects associated with exposure to TCE, it
has been the target of many state's pollution prevention (P2)
programs over the past decades. Many P2 assistance providers
consider this field to be "conquered" and have moved on to other
niches to focus their efforts on the next battle. In many cases,
particularly among larger companies, TCE has been better controlled
through substitution and other engineering controls and has been
regulated fairly well. However, control systems are not fool proof
and accidents happen. A more protective approach would eliminate
the exposure to the hazardous materials through substitution of
safer materials. Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet product
for replacing TCE and therefore it has not been eliminated.
Alarmingly, there are many small users of TCE that continue the
same cleaning and degreasing practices they have used for decades,
and have not reduced their use of TCE at all. From the testing
performed at the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute's
(TURI) Cleaning Laboratory, a wealth of data has been accumulated
on the performances of industrial cleaning products. In order to
use this information effectively, a database system was created so
that access to this resource can be performed easily and quickly.
This database seeks to allow users to search for an
alternative-cleaning product based on safety and effectiveness.
However, the process does not and should not end there.
Process-specific testing is the cornerstone to identifying
effective alternatives. It links the theory of lab testing with the
reality of field work. Therefore, success is achieved through lab
testing, piloting and on-site evaluations. Case studies will
demonstrate how the process has been effectively used at the TURI
Cleaning Lab. Future solvents may hold the keys to identifying the
TCE silver bullet, but they should be carefully evaluated for
health and safety as well as performance. Until then, the use of
substitution process established at the TURI Lab will continue to
be the silver lining on how to move forward with TCE replacement.
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