Industrial parts cleaning is an important part of many manufacturing and maintenance operations. From automotive and small engine repair to construction, military, mining, transportation, and industrial manufacturing, businesses must remove dirt, grime, swarf, and other contaminants to meet their cleaning requirements.
For operations that rely on solvent-based cleaning, however, there is another consideration beyond how well the cleaning process works: the potential health consequences of solvent exposure.
Research has linked exposure to certain solvents with a range of health concerns, including effects on the liver, kidneys, respiratory system, reproductive health, and cognitive function. These concerns are among the reasons manufacturers should carefully evaluate the cleaning methods and chemicals used in their operations.
What Are the Health Risks of Solvent Exposure?
Solvents are used in many industrial products and processes, including paints, degreasers, glues, adhesives, and cleaning applications. The potential health effects of exposure vary depending on the chemicals involved, the level of exposure, and how long that exposure occurs.
Some research has associated occupational solvent exposure with problems involving memory, attention, and other cognitive functions. Of particular concern is evidence suggesting that certain effects may remain detectable long after workplace exposure has ended.
For manufacturers evaluating industrial parts cleaning methods, this research provides an important reason to consider chemical exposure alongside cleaning performance, cost, and environmental impact.
Research Suggests Solvent Exposure May Have Long-Term Cognitive Effects
A study involving 2,143 retired male employees of a French national utility company examined the relationship between occupational solvent exposure and cognitive performance. Researchers evaluated participants’ historical exposure to three categories of solvents:
- Benzene
- Chlorinated solvents
- Petroleum solvents
The researchers also assessed participants’ performance on tests involving memory, attention, and other cognitive abilities. The study found associations between occupational solvent exposure and poorer cognitive performance, including among some participants whose exposure had occurred decades earlier.
Workers with higher and more recent exposure generally demonstrated greater cognitive difficulties. For example, participants with high recent exposure to chlorinated solvents were reported to be 65% more likely to have poorer scores in areas including visual attention, task switching, and memory than participants without that exposure.
These findings are significant because they suggest that some effects associated with solvent exposure may persist well beyond an employee’s working years. However, the research identifies associations rather than proving that solvent exposure caused every instance of cognitive impairment. The findings also should not be interpreted as applying equally to every solvent or every industrial cleaning application.
Why Solvent Exposure Matters in Parts Cleaning
Industrial cleaning processes must accomplish a specific task: removing contaminants so parts meet the required cleanliness specifications. But the cleaning method itself is also an important part of the equipment selection process.
AEC Systems recognizes that manufacturers must consider environmental impact, efficiency, and cost when evaluating industrial parts washing equipment. The potential health consequences associated with certain solvents add another consideration. Businesses using solvent-based cleaning methods should understand the chemicals involved and evaluate the potential exposure concerns associated with their applications.
This is particularly relevant when comparing solvent-based processes with other industrial cleaning methods.
Aqueous Cleaning as an Alternative to Solvent-Based Parts Washing
AEC Systems designs aqueous industrial parts washers that use water, heat, and cleaning detergents as an alternative to solvent-based cleaning. Aqueous cleaning provides manufacturers with another option when evaluating their parts cleaning requirements. Rather than assuming one cleaning method is appropriate for every application, the selection process should consider the contaminants being removed, the required cleanliness specifications, and the broader operating requirements.
Although aqueous cleaning can offer environmental advantages over certain solvent-based processes, cleaning chemicals and wastewater still require appropriate handling. The specific products and processes involved determine what safety and environmental considerations apply.
Evaluate Your Industrial Parts Cleaning Process
The research surrounding solvent exposure highlights why industrial parts cleaning decisions should involve more than simply selecting a chemical that removes contaminants. Cleaning requirements remain essential, but manufacturers should also consider the materials used in the cleaning process and the potential consequences of exposure.
If you’re evaluating alternatives to solvent-based parts cleaning, contact AEC Systems to discuss your application and learn more about our custom aqueous parts washing systems.