Solvents: Safe handling of solvents requires attention to an assortment of hazards that may include flammability, toxicity or initation from skin contact and inhalation, suffocation in confined spaces, toxicity to the environment from spills and in certain instances reactivity Solvents used in automotive mechanical repair applications are primarily delivered as bulk liquids or packaged aerosol cans. Solvents delivered for collision and refinishing might also be packaged as pint, quart, gallon or five gallon containers For the details of the associated hazards and their mitigation consider. - Flammability: Hydrocarbon and chlorinated solvents range from slightly to extremely flammable with a wide band of flashpoint temperatures. Flashpoint is the lowest temperature at which vapors from a substance will ignite when given an Ignition source. Solvents with a flashpoint above 100^circ F are called combustible, those with flashpoints below 100^circ F are called flammable. It's important to know this from a selection perspective. Where gasoline has a -45^circ F flashpoint, hydro treated heavy naphtha (petroleum) is around 130^circ F. The essential point is to keep all open flames, sparks and high heat metals (welding or cutting) away from solvents. Know the proper firefighting agents used to extinguish solvent fires before you need them. Any refinishing operation should prohibit any spraying of flammable products outside of a fully functioning spray booth. - Inhalation: For solvents to have a wide band of flashpoints they must have a corresponding band of volatility. In chemistry and physics, volatility is quantified by the tendency of a substance to vaporize. Volatility is directly related to a substance's vapor pressure. At given temperature, a substance with higher vapor pressure vaporizes more readily than a substance with a lower vapor pressure. Volatility of a solvent correlates directly to its inhalation hazard properties The more volatile a solvent is the more adept it is to pumping vapors (fumes) into the surrounding atmosphere. The hazards from inhalation might entail acute (immediate) symptoms such as irritation or burning of the respiratory tract, dizziness/loss of consciousness due to oxygen deprivation or toxicity, to chronic (long term process)symptoms such sensitivity or toxicity (as a build up in tissues) that might result in cancers. There are three essential processes that can reduce exposure to inhalation hazards. They are: 1. Release control! Limit solvent exposure from containers by tight control over it's release. Make sure containers are securely closed. 2. Maintain proper ventilation of work and release areas at all times (e.g., shop exhaust system spray booth, fresh air make up and vents) 3. Mandate and strictly enforce use of respirators appropriate for the solvent in use. Use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) Contact: Exposure from direct skin or eye contact with solvents may result in minor burns or irritation, to acute or chronic toxicity. Proper use of PPE (gloves, goggles/face shield protective clothing) is the best protection against exposure Proper selection of materials for gloves and eye/face protection for the solvent in use is essential for maximum protection. Continued on the next page Continued on the next page Continued on the next page Continued on the next page Continued on the next page In chemistry and physics volatility is quantified by the tendency of a substance to __ vaporize sublimate condense