Handbook of Solvents, Volume 2: Use, Health, and Environment

The volume begins with discussion of solvent use in over 30 industries, which are the main consumers of solvents. The analysis is conducted based on available data and contains information on the types (and frequently amounts) of solvents used and potential problems and solutions. This followed by discussion of residual solvents left in final products. The environmental impact of solvents, such as their fate and movement in water, soil and air, fate-based management of solvent containing wastes, and ecotoxicological effects are discussed in a separate chapter. This is followed by the analysis of concentration of solvents in more than 15 and discussion of regulations in the USA and Europe. Solvent toxicology chapter was written by professors and scientists from major centers who study the effect of solvents on various aspects of human health, immediate reaction to solvent poisoning, persistence of symptoms of solvent exposure, and effects of solvents on various parts of human organism. This is a very unique collection of observations which should be frequently consulted by solvent users and agencies which are responsible for protection of people in industrial environment. The following chapters show possibilities in solvent substitution by safer materials. Here emphasis is placed on supercritical solvents, ionic liquids, ionic melts, and agriculture-based products. Solvent recycling, removal from contaminated air, and degradation are discussed by experts in these technologies with regard to research and industry manufacturing equipment for safe methods of processing with solvents. The book is concluded with evaluation of methods of natural attenuation of various solvents in soils and modern methods of cleaning contaminated soils, selection of gloves, suites, and respirators, and new trends in solvent technology. This comprehensive two volume book has no equal in depth and breadth to any other publication available today. It contains the most recent finds and additional source data in a separate printed and digital publications, such as Solvent databook Solvent database on CD-ROM These two publications contain data on close to 2000 solvents. The data organized in sections such as General, Physical & Chemical Properties, Health & Safety, Environmental, and Use, contain all available and required data to use solvent efficiently and safely. There are a few chemical companies, universities, research centers, which can conduct their activities without consulting this book.