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News Release from: Enviro Tech Europe | Subject: Trichloroethylene
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 23 June 2006
New pressures on use of
Trichloroethylene
It has long been argued that there is no safe limit for exposure standards of products that are known to be Carcinogens
It has long been argued that there is no safe limit for exposure standards of products known to be Carcinogens Threshold Limit Values (TLV) has acted to give some advice when making risk assessments
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 22 Mar 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Trichloroethylene is widely known to carry the risk phrase R45-May Cause Cancer.
However some confusion has existed regarding worker exposure standards for user protection.
Variations exist around the world.
When reclassified as a Carcinogen it was expected that new standards would be established in the UK to dramatically reduce the existing Maximum Exposure Limit of 100 parts per million.
This is difficult in view of no known safety level.
It is considered that existing Directives requiring users to substitute Trichloroethylene and the expressed need to find a safer alternative in the "Shortest possible time" for those affected by the Solvent Emissions Directive is sufficient to ensure protection.
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), who advise the USEPA, have proposed a recommended TLV standard of 10 parts per million.
If this is unopposed it seems likely that this may become an accepted standard in the United States very soon.
Users of Trichloroethylene are advised to discuss safety requirements with the HSE, and to ensure they have a substitution plan in place if they have obligations under the Solvent Emissions Directive. Request a free brochure from Enviro Tech Europe ...
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