OHS/EHS  

ENVIRONMENT

TRANSPORT/STORAGE

ENVIROSAFE SOLUTIONS

PRODUCTS

COMPETITORS PRODUCTS OFTEN:

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE..

CONTAIN PETROCHEMICALS (HYDROCARBONS). Petroleum based additives are flammable and are transported as hazardous goods. Dilution rates are usually in the 1:500 - 1:1,000 ratio making them expensive in use. Other additives may contain a biocide, which means the product contains a highly toxic chemical which is lethal to marine life in the case of use at sea.

OURS DON’T.  Fuel Kleen contains no petroleum or derivatives and doesn't use a biocide.

Biocides³: Biocidal products are active substances and preparations containing one or more active substances, put up in the form in which they are supplied to the user, intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, prevent the action of, or otherwise exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism by chemical or biological means. Most biocides are toxic to humans and the environment.

Hydrocarbons: - See Kerosene below.

CONTAIN PETROSOLVENTS. Products containing petro solvents such as kerosene, white spirits and the like are very drying to the skin, which can cause dermatitis with continued use. They also have an adverse effect on the environment.

OURS DON’T.  Hand Kleen contains no petro solvent and relies on naturally occurring orange oil as its solvent component.

Kerosene⁴: Toxicity from hydrocarbon ingestion can affect many different organs, but the lungs are the most commonly affected organ. The chemical properties of the individual hydrocarbon determine the specific toxicity, while the dose and route of ingestion affect which organs are exposed to the toxicity. Unlike the aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbons, the halogenated hydrocarbons tend to cause a wider range of toxicity. The toxic affects of hydrocarbons can fall into the following categories:

• Respiratory
• Cardiovascular
• CNS
• Gastrointestinal
• Dermal

INCLUDE HARMFUL ACIDS.  Highly caustic products containing Hydrofluoric Acid are extremely hazardous when used for graffiti removal. The dangers of HF use are well documented and more and more operators are seeking safer options. With most common graffiti removal products, you have the added issue of these toxins entering the soil as it is washed off damaging the ecosystem of the soil and any plants in the area, perhaps also leaching down into the water table with obvious major ramifications.

WE DON’T.  With Exit Tag, this is not a worry. Whilst a far safer option, Exit Tag works equally as well (or better!) than its more hazardous competitors. 

Fluorides⁵: Workers in the industries that use or produce fluoride compounds are at greatest risk of exposure. Contact with hydrofluoric acid (even diluted) can burn the eyes (causing blindness) and skin, causing severe burns deep beneath the skin damaging internal tissues. This can occur hours after contact, even if no pain is initially felt. Contact with hydrofluoric acid happens mainly in the workplace. Long-term exposures may damage the kidneys and liver.

USE CAUSTICS AND CORROSIVES. Most competitor’s products contain large amounts of caustics, often causing them to be classified as hazardous goods and making them potentially dangerous when handling.

WE DON’T.  Dish-o-Matic is caustic free and contains scale removers to keep machines scale free.

Caustics⁶: Caustics and corrosives cause tissue injury by a chemical reaction. The vast majority of caustic chemicals are acidic or alkaline substances that damage tissue by accepting a proton (alkaline substance) or donating a proton (acidic substance) in an aqueous solution.

USE CAUSTICS AND CORROSIVES. Competitor’s products contain free caustics and/or harsh acids and represent a potential health and environment risk.

WE DON’T.  Sure Sol is caustic free, doesn't contain phosphates and is considerably easier and safer to use whilst still performing at the optimum level.

INCLUDE UNHEALTHY SOLVENTS AND SPIRITS.  Many degreasers contain solvents such as kerosene, white spirits, etc. and present problems with disposal and health risks to operators.

OURS DON’T.  Both Supakleen Extra and Surekleen Plus are solvent free and fully biodegradable. Both can be used (and the waste disposed of) in a conventional manner.

RELY ON HARSH, POTENTIALLY FATAL SOLVENTS. Traditionally harsh solvents such as Xylene, Toluene, MEK and the like are used for removing glue. These are quite harmful in use and represent health issues with operators.

WE DON’T.  Glue Kleen derives its glue removing strength from naturally occurring orange oil and is a far safer alternative whilst still maintaining excellent results.

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Xylene ¹: Short-term exposure of people to high levels of xylene can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat; difficulty in breathing; impaired function of the lungs; delayed response to a visual stimulus; impaired memory; stomach discomfort; and possible changes in the liver and kidneys. Both short- and long-term exposure to high concentrations of xylene can also cause a number of effects on the nervous system, such as headaches, lack of muscle coordination, dizziness, confusion, and changes in one's sense of balance. Some people exposed to very high levels of xylene for a short period of time have died.

Although there are no conclusive studies in humans, it is possible that exposure of pregnant women to high levels of xylene may cause harmful effects to the fetus. Animal studies showed that xylene absorbed by the mother can cross the placenta and reach the fetus. The unborn animals may have reduced body weight and delayed bone mineralization if the level of xylene is high enough to be toxic to the mother. Some animal studies have shown that newborn babies that were exposed to xylene during pregnancy have problems after birth with motor coordination and the ability to orient themselves in their surroundings.

Toluene¹: A serious health concern is that toluene may have an effect on your brain. Toluene can cause headaches and sleepiness, and can impair your ability to think clearly. Whether or not toluene does this to you depends on the amount you take in, how long you are exposed, and your genetic susceptibility and age. Low to moderate, day-after-day exposure in your workplace can cause tiredness, confusion, weakness, drunken-type actions, memory loss, nausea, and loss of appetite. These symptoms usually disappear when exposure is stopped. You may experience some hearing and color vision loss after long-term daily exposure to toluene in the workplace. Some studies in people have shown reproductive effects, such as an increased risk of spontaneous abortions, from exposure to toluene in the workplace.

MEK²: Breathing methyl ethyl ketone for short periods of time (i.e. painting in a poorly ventilated area) can affect the nervous system. The effects may be headaches, dizziness, fatigue, narcosis (acts like a narcotic), nausea, vomiting, and cause you to pass out. Methyl ethyl ketone vapour irritates the eyes, nose, and throat. Prolonged contact with the skin will cause irritation. Contact with the eyes can permanently damage them. Repeated exposure may damage the nervous system and may affect the brain.