Solvents

We receive many questions from businesses and regulators asking about the feasibility of alternatives to halogenated and other toxic solvents. If you are trying to make a decision about whether the use of certain toxic solvents can be reduced, the information and resources on this page can help.

Alternatives to popular toxic solvents

We receive many questions from businesses and regulators asking about the feasibility of alternatives to halogenated and other toxic solvents. If you are trying to make a decision about whether the use of certain toxic solvents can be reduced, the information and resources on this page can help.

All Resources on Solvents

TURI provides technical support

If you need help understanding options to avoid the use of toxics, TURI’s technical experts can help you compare alternatives in terms of their:

  • environmental, health and safety characteristics;
  • performance quality; and
  • costs.
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Featured Documents

Report & Analysis
Alternatives to Halogenated Solvents Used in Surface Cleaning

Halogenated solvents have historically been used for a wide variety of industrial surface cleaning needs in numerous industry sectors.

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RESOURCES FOR SWITCHING FROM TRICHLOROETHYLENE (TCE) AND OTHER HALOGENATED SOLVENTS

Report & Analysis
Ten Tips For Replacing Trichloroethylene (TCE)

TURI released a series of case studies highlighting how businesses and communities have found effective alternatives to toxic solvents and saved money in the process. Each of these case studies provide detailed information on how the toxic solvent was being used, alternatives considered and the safer solution that was implemented.

Safer alternatives to toxic solvents exist and continue to be developed.  TURI has supported a variety of projects to support the development and adoption of alternatives to trichloroethylene (TCE), methylene chloride, perchloroethylene (Perc), among others.  Across Massachusetts, businesses and communities have made the choice to switch to safer alternatives – ahead of government regulation.

Our experience with 1000s of alternatives is available through our easy-to-use tool CleanerSolutions.  TURI has also compiled information alternatives to halogenated solvents into a guide to help businesses make the switch to safer alternatives.  As regulators take action to restrict the use of more and more toxic solvents, these resources can help businesses make a smooth transition to safer alternatives

Solutions – toxic solvents

Frequently Asked Questions

    Finding safer alternatives to toxic solvents

    Learn more about our work to find safer alternatives to toxic solvents in a variety of applications, from precision cleaning, to coating removal and contact adhesives.

    Safer Alternatives for Contact adhesives

    Assoc. Prof. Chris Hansen at UMass Lowell, who received a TURI Academic Research grant, found safer solvents for contact adhesives working in partnership with ITW. Using the Hansen Solubility Parameters tool, he was able to find solutions, get a patent and publish a journal article.

    Researchers tout safer alternative to potentially deadly paint stripper chemical

    CBS News’ Anna Werner reported on the deaths of dozens of people who used methylene chloride. Now, researchers say if the industry won’t come up with a safer product, they will.