Clean Break

TURI has been using the Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSP) theory for various solvent replacement projects such replacing methylene chloride for paint stripping, but we are hoping to replace other hazardous cleaning solvents. Senior students who have used the Hansen Solubility Parameters in Practice Program (HSPiP) are leaving next year, so we have started training the next generation of TURI students to learn how to use the program to solve real problems in solvent cleaning. Our students, ranging in major from plastics engineering to public health, engaged in the training and wanted more hands-on approach to solving problems. As a learning exercise, the students were given a case study and had to find a safe replacement using the HSPiP Solvent Optimizer.

• London dispersion forces, ẟD
• Dipole-dipole forces, ẟP 
• Hydrogen bonding, ẟH
  
  Each force is quantified by its strength. The three parameters are then mapped in 3D space (Hansen Space), with the solvents represented as points, and the solute represented as a large sphere with an experimentally determined radius (as seen in the photo to the left). If a solvent falls within the sphere, it will dissolve the solute, and if it falls outside the sphere, it will not dissolve the solute. The closer the solvent is to the center of the sphere, the better the dissolution. This is called the Relative Energy Distance (RED) which is calculated in the HSPiP analytical software. The RED is the distance from a solvent to the center of the sphere divided by the radius of the sphere. A RED less than 1 indicates that the solvent is within the sphere and the lower the RED, the more effective the dissolution will be.

Blend	D	P	H	RED	P2OASys Score
Benzyl Acetoacetate (100%)	18.04	6.47	6.21	0.13	4.300
Butyl Benzoate (50%) Dimethyl Isosorbide (50%)	18	6.4	6.5	0.1	4.200
Butyl Benzoate (50%) Glycerol Triactetate (50%)	17.4	5.1	7.3	0.54	3.950
Benzyl Benzoate (18%) Butyl Benzoate (24%) Dimethyl Isosorbide (58%)	18.2	6.4	6.6	0	4.184
Butyl Benzoate (83%) Caprolactone (8%) 2-Propanol (9%)	18.1	6.4	6.6	0.05	4.314
Butyl Benzoate (82%) γ-Butyrolactone (7%) 2-Phenoxy Ethanol (11%)	18.2	6.4	6.6	0	4.254

Dan Anspach and Lily Green 2/3 of the winning team!

TURI provides research and laboratory experiences for UMass Lowell students from a variety of majors. Meet 11 students working in the TURI lab and two students working in the TURI library this summer:

“The TURA Science Advisory Board (SAB) has recommended designating methylene chloride (also known as dichloromethane) as a higher hazard substance under TURA. With this designation, the reporting threshold for methylene chloride use would be lowered to 1,000 lb/year for companies in TURA-covered industry sectors with ten or more employees. New companies entering the program under the lower reporting threshold would be required to file annual toxics use reports, pay annual toxics use fees, and develop a toxics use reduction plan every two years. In addition, the TURA program would prioritize methylene chloride in allocating program resources, ensuring that facilities receive targeted assistance in reducing or eliminating use of this chemical. Based on this analysis, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute supports the SAB’s recommendation that methylene chloride be designated as a higher hazard substance.”
– Toxic Use Reduction Institute, “Summary of Policy Analysis, Higher Hazard Substance Designation Recommendation: Methylene Chloride or Dichloromethane (CAS 75-09-2)”


The TURI Cleaning Laboratory, laboratory assistants have been working with different solvents to find an alternative for Methylene Chloride for a couple of manufacturing companies that are currently using that chemical for removal of resins from different materials. According to the 2000 Toxicological Profile for Methylene Chloride by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, acute toxicity at short term exposure to methylene chloride can cause symptoms including skin, eye and respiratory irritation, depression of central nervous system function, headache, dizziness, nausea, incoordination, and unconsciousness.

At very high exposure, it can be lethal and cause damage to the liver, kidney or central nervous system. Some studies suggest that long term exposure to organic solvents such as methylene chloride may cause lasting and possibly permanent central nervous system effects. Fatigue, lack of muscle coordination, loss of concentration, short term memory loss, and personality changes exhibited as nervousness, anxiety or irritability are some of the potential long-term effects of chronic and frequent exposure. Methylene chloride was highlighted in the February 24, 2012 CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) due to the deaths of 13 bathtub refinishers (including one in Massachusetts) using methylene chloride containing products.

Belcastro Furniture Restoration Company ,located in Tyngsboro, MA, currently uses Methylene Chloride on their furniture to remove paint. At the moment, only the owner has proper training and ability to use the chemical using the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). We looked at the process that the company used on the wood and recreated that process within the laboratory. Our goal was to find an alternative that was affordable and had the ability to work as well, if not better, than Methylene Chloride. If we did find an alternative that worked, more employees would be able to work on paint removal which could increase productivity instead of just having one person working with one chemical for every furniture piece. So not only is it beneficial to switch to an alternative for health reasons, but it would allow this local business to increase within their business by having more people trained on paint removal.

We tested on a couple of chairs they provided us with that had lead paint and milk paint. Milk paint is one of the most difficult paints to remove from wood since it is protein based and most paint strippers won’t remove it according to RealMilkPaint. We currently have had a couple of possible solvent alternatives that are working very well at removal of both paints. Product Bio-circle CB 100 completely stripped the milk paint within 30 minutes at 60C temperature without using an abrasive pad. For the lead paint, we found that the product D-Solve 917 worked best when heated to recommended temperatures in the MSDS and completely removed the lead paint. We do not endorse any products, but are simply informing on the general study of different products.

The Lab encourages the use of safer surfactants through its connections to EPA's Design for the Environment and the Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative. We have been recognized by EPA as a Champion of the SDSI program. We are constantly reviewing the latest surfactants listed in the CleanGredients database and our testing database is listed as tool for performance testing on their site.

TURI Lab testing involves rigorous scientific testing. We have partnered with IEHA to help promote effective cleaning products. The program tests green product performance on real-world soils and to be approved for the IEHA HPCP program, a product must perform exceedingly well on more than one type of dirt.

Here is an example of a successful product

From time to time we get requests for finding safer cleaning products. Many times these questions can be answered by using our on-line test results database, CleanerSolutions.

The latest question:

From Scotland:
I'm advising a community group in Stirling who have been told that a trike unit for cleaning such stock will be situated near their houses. From a whole range of angles - green chemistry, green jobs ( more and safer jobs from not using/reducing solvent use) , water pollution, general toxics use reduction, reduced occupational hazards to workers in the unit - it doesn't seem to make sense to clean this way. Would you happen to know about the USA alternatives to solvent use for cleaning railway rolling stock? Has TURI produced any reports on this or do you know of any good contacts who might be able to help me on the subject?

Our Response:
We have done many projects replacing TCE. Here is a link to a couple of larger projects: Results 1, Results 2
This link lists the products that we have successfully tested for replacement of TCE for all soil types: Results 3
This is a somewhat shorter list for oils and grease removal: Results 4


And a question from Washington State:
We're looking to clean some ceramic parts that were held in place using Crystalbond. We had FTIR done on some parts that showed signs of staining after heating in a vacuum but the results were inconclusive. I did a search for Crystalbond FTIR and your site came up. I have two questions in your client 155 project 2 you mention FTIR showing both toluene and or Crystalbond. I was wondering if it would be possible to get a copy of the FTIR and see if that's what we're seeing. My second question has to do with the cleaning agents you discuss in C155 part 1. I've been looking for the DuPont DBE-4 (which you list as 99.6% effective) but haven't found it available in an over the counter solution, is there a brand-name product I should be looking for? Also, though it's not mentioned in your report, is there any chance the results were compared with Acetone (typically used solvent) and/or Crystalbond 509 solvent? We're going to try bulk cleaning with the Shopmaster RC you recommend (replacing the acetone currently used) but would like to try the DBE-4 for final cleaning.

Our Response:
Glad that the site provided some useful information for you. You may not be able to find DBE-4 on its own. We were informed later on that the solvent is normally sold to manufacturers of products as an ingredient. The Shopmaster RC does have a DBE mixture in it and may be the closest you can get.
Testing did include Crystalbond 590 S Stripper (see attached reports 155-4, 155-5).
The FT-IR may not be so helpful but I have included the report and image (report 155-6)

Ask your cleaning solvent substitute question today!

Here is a link to a recent article on effective green cleaning.

Green Works® Concentrated Cleaners were tested by the International Executive Housekeepers Association's (IEHA) High Performance Cleaning Product (HPCP) Testing Program in conjunction with the University of MA Lowell TURI Lab. Green Works® Concentrated Cleaners met the HPCP program's rigorous standards and proved the product line's efficacy. Read more

Check out this paper on green cleaning in hospitals:

Under the guidance of an expert advisory group, the project team at CHD conducted the study in three steps. Literature review, phone interview and questionnaire survey were the major methods used in the study.

The paper is the ninth paper in the Health Care Research Collaborative’s monograph series providing research and analysis of factors influencing patient, worker and environmental safety and sustainability in the health care sector. The Research Collaborative was initiated by Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), an international nonprofit coalition that promotes environmental responsibility in health care.

Did you know that our lab's testing database was visited 26,873 for July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. Were you one of them? If so, thanks. If not, please check it out!

End User Testing
• Metal working facility – met with them. They are going to get smaller degreaser and use nPB in it. Will decrease solvent usage for their one customer who requires it to about 50 gallons or less a year. Got them to commit to working on aqueous solution also. Talked to OTA about going to talk to them about water conservation. Will set a meeting end of October or November.
• Remanufacturing-repair facility – Did research on paint spray gun cleaning and sent them systems and cleaners to look into.
• Microelectronics – Cleaning of pallets on hold there. Thanked us for work and will be in touch.
• Sheriff’s office – Went in with vendor in Sept. They bought a steam unit to clean bathrooms and cells etc. Bought one unit and plan to buy 3 more to reduce chemicals used. Also another vendor is redoing their laundry and cleaning chemicals to decrease toxicity and save them about 40%.
• Plating company - Met with them. Saw their adapted dry cleaning machines that use PCE to clean. Have reduced their TCE use over 90%. They have a trivalent chrome line and a hex line. They helped get me some time on NESF agenda and wasn’t to be involved with supply chain work and CE conferences if we need them.
• Plating company – Helped TURI Lab get on NESF agenda and has invited anyone from TURA to come see their operation. Also willing to work with me on information for case studies, supply chain work and alternatives as well as CE conference.
• Capacitor Mfr - Had one meeting with manufacturing and operations VP. They are committed to switch. Will also need to bring OTA in down there. Setting up a meeting with vendors and them to see the space and operation to start looking at cleaning lines. Researching cleaners and things to do with project.
• Optics Mfr - went into visit to see cleaning system and talk to them about why it isn’t working for one of their optic lines. Have worked with them to indentify problem, was in there with vendor this week. Have new action items for issues. Narrowing project scope down. Going to try a wetting agent in rinses and also work on redesigning racks for their optics used in cleaning.

Small Contract Work
Ongoing or Recently Completed
• Testing equipment for steam vapor cleaning. Evaluating range of applications for cleaning and disinfecting.
• Providing technical support and formulation development/evaluation
• Green product line testing for IEHA HPCP
• Evaluating ways to demonstrate that traditional cleaners can leave behind residues. Determine effect on resoiling
In the Works
• Soil removal testing (and maybe microbial testing) done on a no touch system. Have unit and will be finalizing project scope.
• Met with group about testing and future collaboration for improving housekeeping procedures and products
• General product performance testing (industrial)
• Chemical supplier testing of ingredients for I&I applications

Grants
• SHE seed grant proposal for Cleaning in Home Health Care. – Margaret Quinn, Nancy Goodyear. The proposed project will develop methods and collect pilot data to evaluate the health and environmental impacts of the use of cleaning products in the home healthcare (HHC) setting.
• University Research – disinfection collaboration with Dr. Goodyear. Performance collaboration with Dr. Nagarajan surfactant project
• Providing support/training for TURN Grant - Montachusett Opportunity Council. We have had some calls with them about workshop in November and are working n materials and presentation

Database Web Tool
• DIY site – reworking layout and working on fine tuning content
• Completing work on P2OASys updates.

Disinfection Testing
• Met on 26th with electrolyzed water equipment and Dr. Nancy Goodyear UML. Saw new unit and talked about moving forward with testing.
• Steam Vapor cleaning continues
• “Green” disinfectants to be investigated for performance

Do-it-Yourself Cleaning Recipes
• Student has been working on videos for recipe making and performance testing

Outreach
• Went to Washington DC to State of Green Cleaning conference to present on HPCP program with IEHA. Great reception on presentation. Great visibility for lab and will feed off this at ISSA in October.
• Working on new brochures and posters for lab
• Meeting about NESF and NEFA conferences coming in November and materials needed and information we want together while attending and doing a table at each. Have sent follow up emil on action items from that meeting
• Greening your facility fact sheet being worked on still. Internal review ongoing
• Did educational table at Westford Farmers Market
• Going to Dept of Corrections Visit as part of TUR Task Force initiative
• Asked to speak on toxics in Wenham this spring
• CIRI Conference in November 9-11
• MOC workshop Nov 15
• Article on Green and Clean for October issue of ICS magazine
• IEHA-TURI HPCP flyer for ISSA show

TURI Projects
• TURI Web redesign
• PCE alternatives report ongoing. Trainings for planning coming up
• Working on matching grant possibly with capacitor manufacturer and maybe demo site with them or someone doing alternatives to cad or hexchrome plating
• TUR Planner course assistance on Alternatives Assessment section. Finalizing details for event
• NESF event in November will talk to companies about metal finishing and who is interested in that and supply chain work. Talked to internally at TURI about how to work together to reach large companies how to capitalize with smaller MA companies connections with TURI Lab.

Lab General
• New training docs and SOPS being worked on
• Students
• Getting products in database and put away, updating inventory, database project of checking vendor contact information
• Vendors being contacted for new samples

End User Testing
• Sign manufacturer – Have found a cleaner they think may work on red metals. We will test that here or onsite with them. Also still looking for a low temp clear coat for red metals.
• LED manufacturer – Switching to n butyl acetate. Will visit when done and work on case study
• Electromagnetic Materials – Was asked to come back and help with a cleaning issue. Smell of a cleaner for some of their electronics is bothering worker in next office. Went and did site visit. Cleaned parts and am sending them back for their inspection. Then we will move on with odor testing.
• Metal working facility – connected with them during TCE calls and they have filled out test request form and have invited me to visit and talk about alternatives and work with them. Already talking about nPB. Will try to steer them away.
• Remanufacturing-repair facility – isocyanate painting adopted by company based on customer request. Sent them to a consultant to work on spray booth.
• Microelectronics – Visited with company and picked up pallets. Cleaned them in lab, going back to talk to them about if they are clean enough and work to develop cleaning process.
• Sheriffs office – Visiting again with vendor. If they connect and like product then project for laundry will hand off to vendor. Vendor is on MA EPP list and has worked with other correctional facilities in the state.
• Plating company - going to meet with them to see their cleaning process and see if they can get out of using TCE
•Plating company - invited to visit and see their operation and also invited to work with upcoming NESF conference
• Capacitor Mfr - They are ready to work on nPB to Aqueous. Will be discussing time lines, grants, prices, space, capital and type of cleaning

Small Contract Work
Ongoing or Recently Completed
• Testing equipment for steam vapor cleaning (IEHA connection). Evaluating range of applications for cleaning and disinfecting.
• Providing technical support and formulation development/evaluation
• Green product line testing for IEHA HPCP
• Hand washing evaluation
• GS 34 testing
• Evaluating ways to demonstrate that traditional cleaners can leave behind residues. Determine effect on resoiling
• Vacuum vs. dust mop evaluation results submitted to company
In the Works
• Soil removal testing (and maybe microbial testing) done on a no touch system. Have unit and will be finalizing project scope.
• Green Seal GS 37 testing for natural cleaning products
• Discussion with IEHA and company on floor cleaning process evaluations. Will include ergonomic evaluation. Waiting on approval from front office.
• Discussion on working with lab to create a “consumer report” like partnership where the lab would provide testing evaluations for their products and a place to direct consumers for comparisons to other products via the CleanerSolutions Site

Grants
• SHE seed grant proposal funded for Cleaning in Home Health Care. – Margaret Quinn, Nancy Goodyear. The proposed project will develop methods and collect pilot data to evaluate the health and environmental impacts of the use of cleaning products in the home healthcare (HHC) setting.
• TURI University Research – disinfection collaboration with Dr. Goodyear. Performance collaboration with Dr. Nagarajan surfactant project
• Providing support/training for TURN Grant - Montachusett Opportunity Council

Database Web Tool
• DIY site – reworking layout
• Student completing work on P2OASys updates

Disinfection Testing
• Meeting scheduled for 9-26-11 to discuss status of project with electrolyzed water system
• Steam-vapor testing – underway
• Received two grants for disinfection evaluations

Do-it-Yourself Cleaning Recipes
• Working on videos for recipe making and performance testing

Outreach
• TURI Lab asked to represent IEHA at ISSA State of Green Cleaning conference in September in VA.
• TURI Lab asked to speak at IEHA meeting October 18th
• Working on new Lab and possibly TCE, metal finishing or HHS help brochure
• Working within TURI for cadmium, hex chrome and TCE plans for Fall and for NESF conference. Want to use this conference to help our work with HHS substances, stakeholder work and to get out factsheets.
• Greening your facility fact sheet being worked on

TURI Projects
• TURI Web redesign
• Will review PCE alternatives report and go to meeting this month
• Working on matching grant possibly with Capacitor Mfr and maybe demo site with them or someone doing alternatives to cad or hexchrome plating.
• TUR Planner course assistance on Alternatives Assessment section. Met with other TURI staff to discuss next steps

Lab General
• New training docs and SOPS need to be worked on students
• Getting products in database and put away, updating inventory, database project of checking vendor contact information

End User Testing
• Sign manufacturer – Project on hold due to space restrictions. For now they have no room to put in new cleaning line. They are still using lab as a resource, asked about green certifications recently.
• LED manufacturer – Trying to get two new engineers up to speed in their new jobs. Will revisit in August.
• Electromagnetic Materials – Met with them. They were interested in using tert-butyl acetate as a cleaner. They like it and saw it was VOC exempt by the EPA. Waiting on the response from DEP.
• Metal working facility – Working on meeting with them on project moving them from nPB to aqueous. They haven’t got back but all indications are that they are willing and ready. Also trying to see if we can do a case study with them, possibly a matching grant and/or a student intern
• Bicycle Manufacturer: - Sent cleaned parts and samples to company. Called this week and Skip was going to check with his welder and see how things were going.
• Remanufacturing-repair facility – they are testing a new cleaner and wanted some guidance and possibly help piloting this summer. They also have an issue with a customer of a distributor of theirs that want their milling machines painted differently. They want the machines “prettier” and to look like other machines they have. They are being asked to use an isocyante based paint system.
• Microelectronics – Still trying to work out a DEP final ok on their cleaning process. Have a call in to the closest DEP regional office.
• Microelectronics – gong to visit Ed Gomes and talk about their pallet cleaning. Working on a visit date.
• Sheriffs office – visiting mid July to look at alternatives to their laundry detergents and possibly some sanitizers. Met them at a MAFMA training.

Grants
• Maid Review project –sent final recommendations in early June. Sent testing proposal for disinfection testing evaluations
• SHE seed grant proposal for Cleaning in Home Health Care. The proposed project will develop methods and collect pilot data to evaluate the health and environmental impacts of the use of cleaning products in the home healthcare (HHC) setting.

Small Contract Work
Ongoing or Completed
• Testing equipment for steam vapor cleaning. Evaluating range of applications for cleaning and disinfecting.
• No Touch cleaning system – soil removal testing (and maybe microbial testing) done on using a no touch system facility unit. Have unit and will be finalizing project scope.
• Vacuum cleaning evaluation- call to discuss next steps of vacuum vs. dust mop comparison.
• Formulation assistance – Provide product formulation assistance to company for cleaning products

In the Works
• Green Seal GS 37 testing for natural cleaning products
• Discussion for floor cleaning process evaluations. Will include ergonomic evaluation.
• Discussion on working with lab to create a “consumer report” like partnership where the lab would provide testing evaluations for their products and a place to direct consumers for comparisons to other products via the CleanerSolutions Site
• All purpose, glass and bathroom commercial line testing

Database Web Tool
• DIY site – reworking layout to make focus on performance with EHS as lesser focus (currently other way around)
• Collecting data for P2OASys updates. Researching ways to update programming

Disinfection Testing
• Activated water – still ongoing
• Steam vapor evaluations started
• Working on summer plan for testing – DIY recipes for disinfection, “greener” disinfectants

Do-it-Yourself Cleaning Recipes
• See Database Web Tool update
• Student has been working on videos for recipe making and performance testing. Working on gathering new recipes

Outreach
• Mass Facilities training in Westfield with Lynn Rose and Marcia Deegler. Reschedule of one in December. Talk of more trainings and working with Tom Tagean at MAFMA on equipment for their “Tool Shed”,
• Working on new Lab and possibly TCE, metal finishing or HHS help brochure
• Connecting with OTA on how to work more closely together, thinking about aligning site visit write ups
• Greening your facility fact sheet wrapping up.
• Webinar for Nebraska Business Development Center (July). 45 minute presentation on solvent substitution and how the CleanerSolutions database can help.
• Asked to speak at IEHA meeting October 18th with Allen Rathey

TURI Projects
• TURI Web redesign
• Working on a plan for outreach to a list of companies thought to be using TCE by OTA and TURI LAB
• Reviewed PCE alternatives report

Lab General
• Testing old equipment to check on working order
• Database project of checking vendor contact information

End User Testing
LED manufacturer –Set up a meeting to discuss results and next steps and going over reports
Electronics – Meeting on the 10th to talk about test results and best next steps for them
Metal working facility – Arranged for a meeting in June with them about going aqueous and using a student intern or something in the fall on this project.
Bicycle manufacturer - couple of tests done. Sent cleaned parts to company
Remanufacturing-repair facility – arranged for visit in June.
Microelectronics – working with them and DEP to have them ok their cleaning process

Grants
Maid service evaluation – compiling final recommendations to be sent in early June. Putting together testing proposal for disinfection testing evaluations

Small Contract Work
Ongoing or Completed
• Testing equipment for steam vapor cleaning (IEHA connection). Evaluating range of applications for cleaning and disinfecting. Started evaluations
• Kitchen grease trap cleaning, all purpose cleaner.
• No touch cleaning system – soil removal testing (and maybe microbial testing) done on the no touch system. Have unit and will be finalizing project scope.
• Vacuum cleaner evaluation – Starting setting up for comparison of vacuum and dust mop.
• Formulation project –Planning meeting to determine next steps of project

In the Works
• Green Seal GS 37 testing for natural cleaning products
• Activated water performance testing – plans for performance testing on latest model – in addition to disinfection testing. Visit from marketing and research planning on coming to UML for a visit end of month. Possibility of lab trip facility to see their set up. More trips to Seattle planned for field testing.
• Floor care cleaning process evaluations – discussion with IEHA and company about floor cleaning process evaluations. Will include ergonomic evaluation. Waiting on approval from front office.
• Discussion on working with lab to create a “consumer report” like partnership where the lab would provide testing evaluations for their products and a place to direct consumers for comparisons to other products via the CleanerSolutions Site

Database Web Tool
• DIY site work getting ready for internal review of content
• Request for assistance with P2OASys from student from the University of Rhode Island - Pollution Prevention department is making a project comparing solvent-based paint and water-based paints from an auto-body shop in RI.

Disinfection Testing
• Progressing with initial disinfection testing protocols for activated water system. Company on-site to discuss results and testing plans
• Steam vapor disinfection – testing system using less than ideal conditions
• Working on summer plan for testing – DIY recipes for disinfection, “greener” disinfectants

Do-it-Yourself Cleaning Recipes
• Student has been working on videos for recipe making and performance testing. Working on gathering new recipes

Outreach
• Mass Facilities annual meeting on May 3rd at Green Star meeting.
• Training for facility management and green cleaning from December rescheduled to May 13th in Springfield
• Webinar for Nebraska Business Development Center (July). 45 minute presentation on solvent substitution and how the CleanerSolutions database can help.