ORGANIC SOLVENTS

Session Objectives

At the end of the session, the participants will be

able to:
• enhance the knowledge of industrial hygiene
practices in relation to organic solvents
• know the important properties of organic
solvents
• site examples of occupational exposure to
organic vapors
What is a solvent?
• A solvent is a substance, that
becomes a solution by dissolving a
solid, liquid or gaseous solute.
• Refers to a substance that is
capable of dissolving other
substances
• A solvent is usually a liquid, but can
also be a solid or gas. The most
common solvent in everyday life is
water.
What is an organic solvent?

• Known as carbon-based solvents (they contain

carbon in their molecular structure)
• Are substances that are capable of dissolving
or dispersing one or more other substances
• Have the common property of being able to
dissolve organic compounds
• Are volatile
Uses of organic solvents (OS)

• To dissolve substances (such as oil, fats,

resins, rubber and plastics)
• To extract one material from another
• As media for chemical reactions
• As cleaning agents
General properties of OS
Volatility
• Refers to the ability or tendency for a given substance
to vaporize.
Vaporization
• related to the physical change of a substance from a
solid or liquid phase into a gas phase
• the process of applying heat to change something
from a solid or liquid to a gas.
• the process by which a liquid changes to its vapor at
its boiling point
General properties of OS
3 types of vaporization
• evaporation
• boiling
• sublimation
General properties of OS
Vapor pressure
✓ a measure of the tendency of a material to escape
into the environment via gas.
✓ an indication of liquids’ evaporation rate
• A substance that evaporates quickly has high vapor
pressure and is referred to as a volatile substance.
When a solute is added to a solvent, the vapor
pressure decreases.
• At a given temperature, a substance with higher vapor
pressure vaporizes more readily than a substance with
a lower vapor pressure
General properties of OS
Boiling Point
✓ determines the speed of evaporation

• Small amounts of low-boiling point solvents will

evaporate in seconds at room temperature
• High boiling point solvents need higher temperature,
an air flow or the application of vacuum for fast
evaporation
 General properties of OS
Evaporation
• a type of vaporization wherein the
transition from a liquid phase to a
gas phase takes place below the
boiling temperature at a given
pressure, and it occurs on the
surface.
• no boiling of liquid involved in
evaporation.
General properties of OS

Evaporation Rate
• The time required to change a given volume of
liquid to vapor
• Ex: Evaporation rate: 2.24(butyl acetate =1)
 General properties of OS

Boiling
• The rapid vaporization when the
liquid is heated and attains the
boiling point, the vaporization
process is called boiling
General properties of OS

Sublimation
• Direct conversion from a solid to gaseous state
(without passing through a liquid state)
General properties of OS
Vapor Density
• the mass of gases and vapors as it is compared to the mass of an
equal volume of air or other reference gas. Air’s density is 1.29
g/L
General properties of OS
General properties of OS

Specific Gravity
• Defined as the density of solvent divided by the
density of water at the same temperature
• It readily communicates whether a water-insoluble
solvent will float (SG<1.0) or sink (SG >1.0) when
mixed with water
General properties of OS

Odor Threshold
• the minimum concentration , expressed in ppm,
at which the odor can be recognized

• Substances with molecular weights equal to or

exceeding that of air (29 g/mole) and with
appreciable vapor pressure at ordinary
temperatures are generally odorous
General properties of OS

• Flash point
- Lower flashpoint indicates higher
flammability
➢ Flammable and Combustible Liquid

• Auto-ignition or Ignition temperature

- temperature at which a substance will
ignite without the presence of a flame
General properties of OS

Flammability
• is the ability of a chemical to burn or ignite,
causing fire or combustion.

Explosive Limits
• expressed in % by volume of vapor, in air
• the concentration range of a gas or vapor that will
burn (or explode) if an ignition source is
introduced.
General properties of OS
Classification of OS
Hydrocarbons Aldehydes Ketones
•Aliphatic
•Aromatic
•Halogenated Esters
Organic Solvents
Alcohols
Ethers
Amines Glycols
Polymers

Synthetic Polymers
• are often used to make plastics,
adhesives, paints
• Examples are polyvinyl chloride,
polystyrene, neoprene, silicone,
polyethylene
Polymers

Natural polymers also exist, examples are:

• Silk, rubber, cellulose, wool, amber,
keratin, collagen,
• polymers of nucleotides such as nucleic
acids (Deoxyribonucleic acid and Ribonuclei Acid)
Hazards of OS

1) Flammability •
•
Oxidizing Gas
Oxidizing Liquid
•
•
Flammable Gases
Flammable Solids
•
•
Ex
Se
• Oxidizing Solid • Flammable Liquids • Or

• Most organic solvents are flammable or highly

•
•
•
Aerosols
Self Reactive subs & mixt
Pyrophorics Liquid
• Pyrophorics Solids
flammable depending on their volatility •
•
Self-heating subs & mixt
Emits flammable gas in
contact with water
• Organic peroxides
• they will sink to the bottom and can travel • Desensitized Explosives

large distances nearly undiluted

• Acute toxicity • Corrosive to metals • Ga

• Skin corrosion/irritation
• Serious eye
damage/irritation
Hazards of OS

Flammability • Oxidizing Gas • Flammable Gases

• Oxidizing Liquid • Flammable Solids

• these vapors are often heavier than air and can

• Oxidizing Solid •
•
•
Flammable Liquids
Aerosols
Self Reactive subs & mixt

collect along floors and laboratory benches, where

•
•
•
Pyrophorics Liquid
Pyrophorics Solids
Self-heating subs & mixt
• Emits flammable gas in
they then represent a major fire hazard. •
contact with water
Organic peroxides
• Desensitized Explosives

• vapors can also be found in supposedly empty

drums and cans, posing a flash fire hazard; hence
empty containers of volatile solvents should be
stored open and upside down.
• Acute toxicity • Corrosive to metals
• Skin corrosion/irritation
• Serious eye
damage/irritation
 GHS Pictograms and Hazard C

Hazards of OS

• It is their vapor combined with air, not the

liquid themselves, that ignite and burn
•
•
•
Oxidizing Gas
Oxidizing Liquid
Oxidizing Solid
•
•
•
Flammable Gases
Flammable Solids
Flammable Liquids
• Aerosols

• The rate of evaporation increases with •

•
•
Self Reactive subs & mixt
Pyrophorics Liquid
Pyrophorics Solids
• Self-heating subs & mixt
temperature • Emits flammable gas
contact with water
i

• Organic peroxides
• Desensitized Explosives

• As the temperature is increased, a

flammable liquid becomes more hazardous
because of the increased rate at which its
vapors are evolved
• Acute toxicity • Corrosive to metals
• Skin corrosion/irritation
• Serious eye
damage/irritation
Hazards of OS
• Oxidizing Gas • Flammable Gases • Explosives (Div 1.1-1.4)
• Oxidizing Liquid • Flammable Solids • Self-reactive subs & mixt
• Oxidizing Solid • Flammable Liquids Organic
• • Acute peroxides
toxicity • Corrosive to metals
• Aerosols

2. Health hazard (may cause damage to •

•
•
•
Self Reactive subs & mixt
Pyrophorics Liquid
Pyrophorics Solids
Self-heating subs & mixt
•
•
Skin corrosion/irritation
Serious eye
damage/irritation

• Emits flammable gas in

organs) •
•
contact with water
Organic peroxides
Desensitized Explosives

Ex. MEK, toluene, ethanol,

chloroform, n-hexane •
•
Respiratory Sensitization
Germ cell mutagenicity
• Hazardous to the Aquatic
Environment (Acute and
• Carcinogenicity Chronic)
• Reproductive Toxicity
• Aspiration Hazard
• Specific target organ
• Acute toxicity • Corrosive to metals • • Gases
toxicity under
(single & pressure
repeated
• Skin corrosion/irritation
• Serious eye
damage/irritation

3. Irritant
Ex. ethyl acetate, toluene,
IPA
• Respiratory Sensitization • Hazardous to the Aquatic • Skin Corrosion/Irritation
• Germ cell mutagenicity Environment (Acute and • Skin Sensitization
• Carcinogenicity Chronic) • Serious Eye
• Reproductive Toxicity Damage/Irritation
• Aspiration Hazard • Specific Target Organ
• Specific target organ Toxicity – Single Exposure
• toxicity (single & repeated • Hazardous to the ozone layer
 • Acute toxicity • Corrosive to metals
• Skin corrosion/irritation
• Serious eye

Hazards of OS damage/irritation

4) Hazardous to the environment

Air pollutants •
•
Respiratory Sensitization
Germ cell mutagenicity
• Hazardous to the Aquatic
Environment (Acute and
• Carcinogenicity Chronic)

• Solvents may become hazardous in the form of air

•
•
•
Reproductive Toxicity
Aspiration Hazard
Specific target organ
• toxicity (single & repeated

pollutants when released outdoors

• In the presence of sunlight, they react with atomic
oxygen and ozone to produce aldehyde, acids,
nitrates and a whole series of other irritant and
noxious compounds
• Greatest portion of hydrocarbons contributing to
air pollution is from automobile
What are vapors?

• Generally defined as a gaseous form of a

specific substance that is normal in a solid or
liquid state.
• The gaseous state of a substance that is solid
or a liquid at room temperature and pressure
• Refers to liquid that evaporates quickly (hence
giving off vapors)
 What are vapors?

• A chemical, or other item, that is either solid

or liquid when at normal room temperature
and at normal pressure may turn into a vapor
when heated sufficiently, or when the
pressure is increased.
Occupational Exposure

Paints, thinner and coatings

• acetone
• toluene
• xylene
• Ethyl benzene
• methyl ethyl
ketone (MEK)
• methyl isobutyl
ketone (MIBK)
• ethyl acetate
Occupational Exposure
Printing Inks
• toluene, ethyl acetate, MEK, xylene, isopropyl
alcohol (IPA)
Occupational Exposure

Glue, adhesives
• toluene, ethyl acetate, MEK, xylene,
IPA
 Occupational Exposure
Personal care products (cosmetics, cologne,
perfume)
• ethanol,
• benzyl alcohol
• formaldehyde
 Occupational Exposure
Cleaning products
• benzyl alcohol
• ethoxylated alcohol
• IPA
• glycol ethers
 Occupational Exposure
Cleaning products
(dry-cleaning)
• perchloroethylene
 Occupational Exposure
Cleaning products
(degreasing of metal parts,
cleaning of electronics
parts)
• toluene
• trichloroethylene
• xylene
• MEK
• methylene chloride
 Occupational Exposure
nail polish and removers
• ethyl acetate
• toluene
• acetone
 Occupational Exposure
Rubber Tire Compounding &
Curing process
• styrene
• MEK
• formaldehyde
• MIBK
 Occupational Exposure
Pesticide Spraying
• benzene
• chloroform
• carbon tetrachloride
• 1,2-dichloroethane
• 1,4-dioxane
• 2-nitropropane
 Occupational Exposure
Plastics are mixtures of
• polymers (main component of plastics)
• Other chemicals include fillers, plasticizers, flame
retardants, lubricants, heat stabilizers, color
pigments
 Occupational Exposure
Types of Plastics and Resins
• Thermoplastic type such as polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene
• Thermosetting materials such as phenolic resins,
epoxy resins, polyester resins, melamine resins and
polyurethanes.
 Occupational Exposure
Polymers
• Polyethylene and polypropylene (formaldehyde)
• Polystyrene (styrene)
• Phenolic Resins (phenol)
 Occupational Exposure
Laboratory
Analysis
• methanol
• IPA
• toluene
• hexane
• petroleum
ether
 Occupational Exposure
Petroleum, Gasoline, fuels
• ethanol
• benzene
• octane
• pentane
• hexane
TLVs of common OS
based on OSHS, DOLE

Organic Solvent TLV in ppm TLV in mg/m3

Acetone 1,000 2,400
CBenzene 25 80
n-butyl acetate 150 710
Ethyl acetate 400 1,400
Ethyl alcohol 1,000 1,900
Hexane 500 1,800
Isopropyl alcohol 400 980
Methyl ethyl ketone 200 590
Methylene chloride 500 1,740
Perchloroethylene 100 670
Styrene 100 420
Toluene 100 375
Trichloroethylene 100 535
Xylene 100 435
Clear Points

• Organic solvents are known as carbon-based solvents

which have the common property of being able to
dissolve organic compounds
• The important properties of organic solvents include
boiling point, evaporation rate, vapor pressure, vapor
density, odor threshold, flash point, auto-ignition
temperature, explosive limits, and others.
 Clear Points

• Hazards of organic solvents include flammability,

health hazard, irritant and hazardous to environment
• Organic vapors may be formed from the process of
vaporization
• Occupational exposure to organic vapors includes
painting, coating, gluing, printing, degreasing, dry-
cleaning, among others…