Safer solubility

Abstract

In 1987 the time weighted average (TWA) toxicity rating for 2-ethoxyethanol (cellosolve) was lowered from 100ppm to lOppm and that for white spirit from 500ppm to 100ppm. With an urgent need to find replacement solvents a study was made to find substitutes. No suitable replacement could be found from a range of conservation literature. This paper gives the background to the more familiar theories of predicting resin solubilities and should enable a conservator to establish solubility parameters for any solvent given a few physical constants, available from major suppliers. The British Health and Safety Executive Occupational Exposure Limits Guidance Note EH/40 has been used to assess solvents of low toxicity for potential use in conservation. © 1992 Maney Publishing.