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Chlorinated solvents: will the alternatives be safer?
1Institute for Research and Technical Assistance, Los Angeles, California.
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association
|August 1, 1991
Summary
Environmental regulations will reduce chlorinated solvent use, but alternatives may pose new health risks. Current regulations are inconsistent, failing to address potential dangers of solvent replacements.
Area of Science:
- Environmental chemistry
- Toxicology
- Regulatory science
Background:
- Chlorinated solvents are widely used but face environmental and health scrutiny.
- Stringent regulations are driving a decline in their application.
- Alternatives are being adopted rapidly without adequate safety assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the regulatory landscape surrounding chlorinated solvents and their alternatives.
- To highlight potential health and environmental risks associated with solvent replacements.
- To demonstrate inconsistencies in current regulatory approaches.
Main Methods:
- Case study analysis of chlorinated solvent regulations.
- Review of environmental and health impact data for solvent alternatives.
- Comparative assessment of regulatory frameworks.
Main Results:
- Significant decline in chlorinated solvent use projected due to regulations.
- Emerging health and environmental concerns associated with unregulated alternatives.
- Inconsistent and conflicting regulatory policies identified.
Conclusions:
- Current regulations on chlorinated solvents and their alternatives are fragmented.
- There is an urgent need for comprehensive risk assessment and unified regulation of solvent replacements.
- Failure to address risks of alternatives could lead to new environmental and health crises.