FACTS

Hazards Relating to Solvent

1. Solvents may enter the body through inhalation or through the skin.  Due to their low vapour pressure, the health risks they pose can be realized easily.
2. Although these chemicals are used for their properties as solvents, it must not be forgotten that they are hazardous chemical in their own right and can react violently when mixed with other chemicals including other solvents.
3. A major risk of solvent use is its volatility (low boiling point) causing flammable or toxic vapour.
4. Solvent vapours can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, passing into the blood stream.
5. Contaminated food or hands can also lead to solvents being swallowed.
6. Short term exposure to solvents can irritate eyes, lungs and skin and may cause headaches, nausea, dizziness and light-headedness.
7. Chronic effects can include dermatitis, toxicity to the nervous system, reproductive damage, liver and kidney damage, respiratory impairment, and cancer.
8. Exposure to high concentrations of solvent vapours can result in loss of consciousness or may be fatal.
9. Solvents can be highly volatile and may explode or catch fire if stored or handled incorrectly.

STATS

• A Center analysis identified at least 56 accidental exposure deaths linked to methylene chloride in the U.S.
• Deaths related to volatile substances, helium, and nitrogen in 2020, by cause of death, sex, age, region and substances involved in the death.
• There are also reported incidents of workers suffering from exposure, some resulting in death. OSHA has linked 50 worker fatalities to methylene chloride exposure.
• There were 25 deaths related to volatile substances registered in 2020; this is the same as 2019 and has remained broadly stable over time.
• OSHA has linked 50 worker fatalities to methylene chloride.