|
About chlorinated solventsWithin this website and the remit of ECSA, chlorinated solvents are defined as methylene chloride (chloromethane family), perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene (both in the chloroethane family). Oxygenated and hydrocarbon solvents are covered by Cefic sector group ESIG. Only the solvent applications are covered, although all products may also be used as chemical intermediates, which means they are converted into different chemicals. However, should issues arise around related products - such as methyl chloride, which is a chloromethane product typically co-produced with methylene chloride, and used exclusively as a chemical intermediate - then ECSA will organise itself accordingly. One example was ECSA's involvement in the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) Committees which examined, up until 2004, alternatives to carbon tetrachloride and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. These alternatives include methylene chloride, trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene. UNEP has been promoting these alternatives in developing countries, where they are mainly used for metal degreasing. The principal uses of solvents are:
|