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Chemical Substitutions
To eliminate / minimize hazards
Common Substitutions and
Evaluating a Potential Substitution
Common Chemical Substitutions
Instead of :
Consider:
Benzene
Toluene, Cyclohexane, Ketones
Carbon tetrachloride
1,1,1- trichloroethane or Isopropyl alcohol
Diethyl ether (extractions)
Hexanes
Chromate ion (oxidation)
Hypochlorite ion
Formaldehyde (bio preservation)
Ethanol or commercial product (ex. Formalternate)
Methanol
Ethanol, anhydrous
Mineral oil
Silicon oil
K or Na (reactive group 1 metals)
Ca or Mg
Strong Acid (HCl) / Base (OH-)
Acetic acid / bicarbonate
Benzoyl peroxide (catalyst)
30% Hydrogen peroxide or Lauroyl Peroxide
Chemical
Substitution. Health Canada, Environmental and Workplace
www.jst.umn.edu
Health. Accessed 8 Jan 2014. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewhsemt/occup-travail/whmis-simdut/substitution-eng.php
Stroud, L.M. Substitution of a more hazardous chemical by a less
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Considering a Potential Substitute
Hazards
Is the replacement less hazardous ?
Read SDS
Ensure one hazard is not exchanged for another.
Effectiveness
Does it meet the process requirements?
Is it likely to work?
Evaluate & Compare
(health, fire, corrosivity, reactivity, etc.)
Control
Measures
Is the new substance adequately controlled by the
existing system? (ventilation, vapor pressure,
Compatibility
Does it interfere or react with other materials or
the equipment?
temperature, flash point, flammability, etc.)
www.jst.umn.edu
Substitution of Chemicals – Considerations for Selection. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and
Safety. Updated 1 March 2009. Accessed 8 Jan 2013.
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/substitution.html
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More Resources
•
Transitioning to Safer Chemicals. Occupational Safety and Health
Administration. Accessed 8 Jan 2014,
https://www.osha.gov/dsg/safer_chemicals/basics.html
•
IC2 Safer Alternative Assessments. Accessed 8 Jan 2014,
http://www.ic2saferalternatives.org/
•
Chemical Substitution. Health Canada, Environmental and Workplace
Health. Accessed 8 Jan 2014, http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/occuptravail/whmis-simdut/substitution-eng.php
•
Stroud, L.M. Substitution of a more hazardous chemical by a less
hazardous chemical. Science and Safety Consulting Services. Accessed 8
Jan 2014,
www.sciencesafetyconsulting.com/pdf/chemical_substitutions.pdf
www.jst.umn.edu
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