The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is actively working to ban or heavily regulate the use of many industrial solvents, including TCE. As a result, businesses that rely on solvent-based parts washers are seeing rising costs and increasing difficulty complying with regulation. Regulation on solvents has significant implications for various industries, particularly those involved in the manufacturing, automotive, military, and transportation sectors. Let’s go through some of the largest ones.
The Regulatory Push for Safer Alternatives to Solvents
Solvent-based cleaners like acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, nPB, and trichloroethylene (TCE) have been widely used in industrial settings for a reason: They possess powerful cleaning capabilities, effectively removing heavy, baked-on oils, dirt, contaminants, and grease.
Unfortunately, many industrial solvents are also hazardous, posing risks to human and animal health, as well as to the environment.
The EPA’s push to ban or restrict solvent use is driven by the desire to protect human health and the environment. Prolonged exposure to solvents can lead to serious health issues, including respiratory problems, skin irritation, and even cancer. By regulating solvent use, the EPA aims to reduce these health risks for workers and surrounding communities.
Solvents can and have contaminated soil and water throughout the United States, contributing to pollution and harming ecosystems. The EPA believes that stricter regulations will help prevent environmental contamination and promote cleaner industrial practices.
The Growing Cost of Solvent-Based Parts Washers
Parts washers are essential for cleaning and maintaining equipment and components in many industries. With the changing regulatory landscape, businesses are now looking at:
Increased Compliance Costs: Companies now face higher costs, including expenses related to proper handling, storage, and disposal of solvents, as well as costs for additional safety measures and reporting requirements.
Higher Solvent Prices: With the anticipated ban on certain solvents, their availability is decreasing, which leads to price increases because of the law of supply and demand. Manufacturers and suppliers, anticipating future restrictions, are also raising prices to cover their losses and manage the reduced supply.
Investment in Alternative Solutions: To comply with new regulations, many companies are investing in alternative cleaning solutions like aqueous-based parts washers. While investing in aqueous parts washers can be a large initial expense, they are less expensive to run in the long run, partly because of the increased regulation on solvents. As a result, aqueous-based parts washers, which use water and biodegradable detergents, are becoming increasingly popular due to their effectiveness and environmental benefits.
Long-Term Benefits of Regulation on Solvents
Despite the immediate challenges and costs, the shift away from solvent-based parts washers offers a number of long-term benefits. These include:
- Improved Health and Safety: Reducing reliance on hazardous solvents enhances workplace safety and protects employees’ health, leading to lower healthcare costs and improved productivity.
- Environmental Stewardship: Adopting environmentally friendly cleaning solutions demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, which can enhance a company’s reputation and appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
- Regulatory Compliance: Staying ahead of regulatory changes minimizes the risk of government penalties and legal issues.
There are many changes on the horizon, and the regulation of solvents is only one of them. It can be challenging to know how to keep up with these changes. Transitioning to aqueous-based parts washers has several advantages, however. Businesses can innovate and adopt safer, more sustainable parts-cleaning practices which will protect their workers and the world we live in.
If your company is considering transitioning to aqueous parts washers, we would love to work with you to develop the most efficient parts washing system for your needs. Call AEC Systems USA today at 1-888-211-6006 to get started.