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REACH
- the new European chemicals policy
Graffiti
cleaning agents are based on chemical solvents.
There are many different types of solvents available
and with this pending legislation, it is all becoming
very confusing - obtaining definitive answers
based on fact rather than conjecture and speculation
is seemingly impossible.
New
EU chemicals legislation known as REACH was formally
published at the end of 2006 and comes into force
on June 1st 2007. REACH, the Registration, Evaluation,
Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals is the
largest item of EU legislation ever and constitutes
the new European Chemicals Policy. It will introduce
major changes to the way chemicals are managed
throughout the EU Member States. All chemicals
manufactured or imported into Europe over one
tonne per annum will need to be registered. All
registered chemicals will require an extensive
dossier covering in depth safety and environmental
information. It will be unlawful to manufacture
or import into the European Union non-registered
chemicals. There will be a delay in introducing
the enhanced compulsory testing of chemical materials.
The published timetable allows several years for
the REACH registration process and full completion
will take ten years
Although
Europe is introducing complex regulations similar
chemical controls have existed for some time in
the USA. There is therefore a wealth of information
published on almost all of the solvent ingredients
used in Graffiti cleaning formulations. This data
covers safety for human exposure and issues involving
pollution via the atmosphere or accidental spillage
to watercourse or waste treatment facilities.
Reputable industrial chemical formulations will
use all available safety data when writing their
Safety Data Sheets (SDS for Europe - MSDA for
USA). These documents are the essential reading
for assessing any risks involved with handling
or disposing of chemicals. Chemical Safety Data
Sheets are frequently updated and should be freely
issued by suppliers, even for sample quantities.
Safety
- Exposure to Solvents
The use of industrial solvents can pose health
risks. These are mainly by exposure through vapours
or via skin absorption. The REACH legislation
will effect two of the most commonly used chemicals,
Dichloromethane
and NMP, and this
have a major impact on manufacturers and end users
of graffiti removal products.
Risk
Assessment for Use of Graffiti Removers
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
(COSHH) require a risk assessment to ensure the
safe use of hazardous materials.
For
graffiti removal solvents there are really three
type of personal safety classification based on
the risk (R) phrases present on the label. Some
formulations do not require R phrases or are classified
as "Irritant" on the label. Every chemical should
be treated with respect whether it is a household
detergent, bleach or gloss paint. The answer is
simple. Provide a control mechanism to avoid unnecessary
contact with the chemical.
The
second safety category is designated the formula
as "harmful" which usually relates to the effects
of excessive breathing of vapours and skin contact.
Safe limits of vapour in the atmosphere or for
skin contact should be specified in the SDS as
an occupational exposure limit for the chemical
ingredient. Therefore the correct personal preventative
equipment should always be used. Safety data sheets
should specify the correct protective clothing
that will resist solvent penetration for the longest
period. This class of hazard should be used with
facemask, safety glasses, protective clothing
and gloves. The third category is the "Toxic"
clarification, which means that there is very
specific advice on safe handling. These products
should be reserved for outdoor use and used only
when safer alternatives are ineffective.
Effect
on the Environment of Graffiti Removal
Environmental aspects of graffiti cleaners require
similar assessment based on the suppliers' information.
The
key issues concern the evaporation of the liquids
that will cause atmospheric pollution and also
the effect of the chemicals on entering the waste
water systems, or accidental spillage.
Atmospheric
pollution
The
atmospheric pollution on evaporation is termed
VOC (Volatile Organic Compound). The UK and Europe
are determined to reduce VOC (Volatile Organic
Compounds) and all sectors of industry are targeted
for reduction in VOC emissions. The VOC content
of a remover will be given in Section 12 of the
SDS. The old vegetable derived solvents, such
as Pine or Orange Terpenes, are classified as
VOC materials. The newer solvents derived from
vegetable oils are not VOC materials and are also
in the lowest safety category. There are several
other ink and paint removing solvents that do
not evaporate and are classified as non-VOC. Incorporation
of these materials will lower the VOC content
of the final chemical formulation. VOC control
legislation targets large volume users of solvent
(tonne quantities) and there are no restrictions
on atmospheric pollution for small-scale use of
evaporating solvents.
Water
Pollution and Graffiti Removers
For accidental spillage and run off of rinse water
to drains there are specific R label phrases solvent
and logo warning of dangers to the environment.
This class of product with the dead tree logo
should not be used for cleaning or graffiti removal.
Fortunately the majority of ingredients selected
for graffiti removal applications have no detrimental
effect on water and dilute easily so do not form
an oily film in water.
The
ink-removal solvents are either classified as
readily biodegradable or, inherently biodegradable.
Even the more toxic materials break down into
basic salts and water and have limited effect
on the bacteria at sewage works. The wastewater
compatibility dependents on the volume of graffiti
remover disposed to drain. For anything other
than limited outside application the Safety Data
Sheet will have advice on dealing with disposal
of waste material and accidental spillage.
Dichloromethane
(Methylene Chloride)
Dichloromethane
(also known as methylene chloride) is used in
many graffiti removal products - it is cheap and
fast acting. However, according to a new risk
report for the European commission, Dichloromethane
should be banned in most paint strippers to minimise
its toxic impacts on health and the environment.
Consultancy firm RPA recommends banning dichloromethane
in paint strippers produced for professional and
consumer uses. Only industrial uses should continue,
and even then only under more strictly controlled
worker-safety conditions. Restrictions could lead
to revenue losses of around €13m annually for
the dichloromethane paint stripper industry, half
of whose production is sold in Europe, the report
says. However, it says alternatives could create
a market worth up to €240m. The commission has
been considering controls on dichloromethane paint
strippers for several years. Dichloromethane is
also a priority substance under the EU water framework
directive. The restrictions would be brought in
under the EU's 1976 directive on limiting the
marketing and use of certain dangerous substances.
This law will eventually be incorporated in the
Reach chemical policy regime.
NMP
(N-methylpyrrolidone)
NMP is widely used in graffiti removal, has been
found to potentially harm an unborn baby. It has
been agreed to significantly change the safety
classification of NMP but due to the major changes
on chemical safety information scheduled in 2009
the re-classification at governmental level is
delayed. The information on the reclassification
should be included in safety data sheet as soon
as a manufacturer is aware of the change and prior
to the legal deadline.
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neither Dichloromethane or NMP and offer
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Research,
development and manufacturing in the UK
to ISO9000 and ISO14001. For further information
and to try this new generation of chemicals
then please contact us on 0845 330 3103
or by e-mail.
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