Assessing Alternatives
Identifying and adopting safer alternatives to toxic chemicals is a core aspect of toxics use reduction.
An alternatives assessment looks comprehensively at the uses of chemicals of concern and the availability of safer, technically feasible and affordable alternatives. These alternatives may be chemical substitutions, but may also be modifications to processes or product redesigns that facilitate the shift to safer processes and products.
Principles of Alternatives Assessments
There are 6 Principles of Alternatives Assessments:
- Reduce Hazard
- Minimize Exposure
- Use Best Available Information
- Require Disclosure and Transparency
- Resolve Trade-Offs
- Take Action
TURI collaborates with academic partners, other US state and federal agencies, and international organizations to develop and refine alternatives assessment methods.
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TURI Alternatives Assessment
TURI conducts alternative assessments as part of its mission to assist Massachusetts companies in toxics use reduction. There are three types of alternative assessments TURI develops.
- Discrete projects focusing on finding safer and effective solutions for specific applications for industrial parts cleaning, formulators of cleaning products, or institutions or municipalities seeking safer janitorial cleaning solutions.
- Collaborations with industry and technical experts to identify and test safer alternatives to toxics used in the manufacturing process.
- Comprehensive analyses that that identify and qualify a range of feasible safer alternatives for particular applications.
TURI has produced several Alternatives Assessments:
Alternatives to Cleaners and Sanitizers for the Brewing Industry
The laboratory at TURI completed an evaluation of common cleaning and sanitizing chemicals and potential alternatives. Cleaners and sanitizers were tested based on their ability to remove soils accrued in the primary brewing and fermentation processes, as well as to ensure sanitization of the tanks between uses. The document provides background information about the use of traditional cleaners and sanitizers in the brewing process; and provides technical, financial, environmental, health and safety, and basic regulatory information on alternatives to the traditional cleaners and sanitizers
Alternatives to Methylene Chloride for Paint Stripping Products
This report provides the approach TURI researchers took to finding a safer alternative to methylene chloride used in paint stripping products, the laboratory testing process, and the results and conclusions.
Alternatives for Coating Removal Products
TURI researchers found that there are safer, cost-effective, and performance-effective coating removal products commercially available that are viable replacements for methylene chloride and other chemicals of high concern used in coating removal products.
Alternatives to Perchloroethylene Used in Professional Garment Care
Perchloroethylene (perc) was designated as a Higher Hazard Substance by the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction program in 2008. This fact sheet was developed by the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) to help Massachusetts professional garment care shop owners and their communities identify safer alternatives to perc for their professional garment care.
Artificial Turf
TURI developed an alternatives assessment for sports turf.
Five Chemicals Alternatives Assessment
The Massachusetts legislature requested that the Institute conduct a scientific study to assess the availability of technically and economically feasible safer alternatives for five toxic or hazardous chemicals:
- Lead
- Formaldehyde
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Hexavalent chromium
- Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
The outcome was the identification of technically and economically feasible safer alternatives to each of the five chemicals for the specific applications studied.
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Safer Alternatives to Halogenated Solvents Guide
TURI recently developed a report, Guide to Finding Safer Alternatives to Halogenated Solvents Used in Surface Cleaning Applications. The guide provides information about a suite of safer alternative chemistries and equipment that can be used to replace halogenated solvents in surface cleaning applications.
Halogenated solvents have historically been used for a wide variety of industrial surface cleaning needs in numerous industry sectors. These solvents are easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and very effective in removing a wide range of contaminants from various surface materials and configurations. These are typically relatively simple molecules that contain halogens – chlorine (Cl), fluorine (F), bromine (Br), or iodine (I).
As a category, however, these solvents present concerns for the environment as well as human health and safety. Hazards noted for some of these halogenated chemicals include damage to the central nervous system, reproductive and developmental toxicity, carcinogenicity and negative respiratory effects. Most halogenated solvents are persistent in air and/or sediment, are ozone-depleting chemicals and/or contribute to the generation of greenhouse gases. Due to these concerns, stricter regulations have been enforced, leading many halogenated solvent users to investigate possible alternatives. Without sufficient information, replacing halogenated solvents can lead to regrettable substitution for cleaning applications.
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Tools and Methods
Compare and Evaluate Chemical Hazards to Make Informed Substitutions
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P2OASys (Pollution Prevention Options Assessment System)
P2OASys was developed by the Toxic Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, to help companies assess unforeseen consequences of current alternative technologies. P2OAsys allows companies to assess environmental, worker, and public health impacts from alternative technologies. The tool automatically compares current processes to alternatives based on 11 endpoints using an aggregated score, which is dependent upon the proportion of chemical present.
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GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals
GreenScreen® was developed by Clean Production Action to support the transition to safer chemicals and to support more informed decision-making on the use of chemicals in products and processes. GreenScreen® provides a rigorous comparative hazard assessment for evaluating alternatives to chemicals of concern based upon 18 hazard endpoints.
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QCAT (Quick Chemical Assessment Tool)
Using GreenScreen® as a blueprint, QCAT was developed by the Washington State Department of Ecology to function as a simpler tool for smaller businesses. QCAT is a screening tool for evaluating chemicals/substances to determine their degree of toxicity and assess alternatives. Chemicals are rated based on an aggregated score of nine hazard endpoints, but relative toxicities can also be assessed based on individual endpoints.
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US EPA DfE Alternatives Assessment Criteria for Hazard Evaluation
Design for the Environment (DfE) Program Alternatives Assessment Criteria for Hazard Evaluation is a chemical hazard assessment guide produced by the US EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention & Toxics. The guide focuses on environmental toxicity, fate, and the physiochemical properties that present inherent safety risks. Multi-stakeholder partnerships are convened to determine the functionality of substitutes and to appoint high-risk chemicals; therefore, the document is subject to revision. Last updated August 2011.
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Hansen Solubility Parameters
The Hansen Solubility Parameters theory can be used to predict which solvents will be able to quickly dissolve and/or soften the target solutes, and is an efficient method to rapidly identify safer and effective alternatives to toxic solvents used in a variety of products.
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Column Model
The Column Model was developed by the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (IFA) of the German Social Accident Insurance as a tool for industry for identifying alternative substances. The tool allows for the comparison on chemicals/substances or materials/mixtures based on six hazard endpoints. Endpoints are compared individually and collectively, and the user makes the final evaluation.
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Subsport (Substitution Support Portal) Substitution Steps
Substitution Steps by Substitution Support Portal (SUBSPORT) is a six-step web-based guide that can be used as a quick screening tool to assess the suitability of hazardous chemical alternatives. The guide provides a collection of internal and external tools to assist in each step of the evaluation of alternatives with a focus on safety, practicality, and continued improvement.
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GreenScreen List Translator
GSLT was developed by Clean Production Action as a rapid screening assessment tool for chemical substances. The screening evaluation results in three outcomes: of high concern, possibly of high concern, and unknown. GSLT is meant to prioritize chemicals for a more comprehensive assessment using the full GreenScreen® method.
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ChemHAT (Chemical Hazard and Alternatives Toolbox)
ChemHAT is an internet database based on the simple idea that when we know how a chemical can hurt us we can take protective action. There are solutions at the bottom of the hierarchy of controls. Sometimes that action is using the chemical wearing gloves or with extra ventilation. ChemHAT was designed to let us ask and answer a different question. Instead of what engineering controls and personal protective equipment do I need to lower the levels of exposure to a “safe” level, ChemHAT is being designed to answer the question, “Is there a way to get this job done without using dangerous chemicals?” We know from stories of substitution and elimination that already exist, the answer can be yes.
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PRIO – A tool for Risk Reduction of Chemicals
PRIO was developed by the Swedish Chemical Inspectorate (KemI) to help eliminate high hazard chemicals from products to meet the Swedish government’s goal of a “non-toxic environment” by 2020. PRIO contains a database of chemicals of high concern to human health and the environment, which are divided into “phase-out” or “priority risk reduction” chemicals. “Phase-out” chemicals should be avoided or substituted, and the tool provides a seven step process for identifying safer alternatives. For “priority risk reduction” chemicals, further assessments are recommended to ensure risk minimization.
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RISCTOX
RISCTOX was developed by the Spanish Trade Union Institute of Health, Work and Environment (ISTAS) and the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) and is based on European environmental and health standards. The tool includes over 100,000 chemicals, providing information on substance classification and labeling under EU Regulation 1272/2008, health and environmental impacts and risks, and environmental and health regulations. Users can search by hazard endpoint or specific substance.
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Alternatives Assessment Guidance
Alternatives assessment is a process for comparing alternatives, usually to a chemical of concern and identifying those that are safer. It is different from a safety assessment, where the primary goal is to ensure that exposure is below a prescribed standard; different from risk assessment, where risk associated with a given level of exposure is calculated; and different from a sustainability assessment, which considers all aspects of a chemical’s life cycle, including energy and material use. The goal of an alternatives assessment is to facilitate an informed consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of alternatives to a chemical of concern, resulting in the identification of safer alternatives.
National Academy of Sciences
This new framework from the National Academy of Sciences allows the evaluation of the full range of benefits and shortcomings of substitutes, and examination of tradeoffs between these risks and factors such as product functionality, product efficacy, process safety, and resource use. Through case studies, this report demonstrates how different users in contrasting decision contexts with diverse priorities can apply the framework.
TURI
In October 2021, TURI developed a Guide to Finding Safer Alternatives to Halogenated Solvents Used in Surface Cleaning Applications. The report provides information about a suite of safer alternative chemistries and equipment that can be used to replace halogenated solvents in surface cleaning applications.
TURI conducted an assessment of alternatives to five chemicals of concern – lead, formaldehyde, perchloroethylene, hexavalent chromium, and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) – in 2006. As part of this seminal work, we created guidance for the process.
US Environmental Protection Agency: Design for the Environment (DfE)
EPA uses alternatives assessments to look for safer chemicals. Design for the Environment (DfE) alternatives assessments are conducted as risk management actions when warranted for TSCA Work Plan Chemicals. They have also been conducted under Chemical Action Plans.
Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2)
The Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2) is an association of state, local, and tribal governments that promotes a clean environment, healthy communities, and a vital economy through the development and use of safer chemicals and products. The IC2 is a collaboration between multiple US States interested in promoting the use of Alternatives Assessment as the preferred method for creating a safer chemicals economy. The IC2 Alternatives Assessment Guide is designed to enable standardization of the alternatives assessment process.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Toolbox
This toolbox is a compilation of resources relevant to chemical substitution and alternatives assessments.
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Databases
International, national and state-specific chemical databases
International:
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Chemical Substances of Canada
Chemical substance information provided by the government of Canada.
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ECHA Information on Chemicals
This database covers hazardous properties of chemicals manufactured and imported in Europe, their classification and labelling, and information on how to use them safely.
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eChemPortal
eChemPortal provides free public access to information on properties of chemicals: physical chemical properties, environmental fate and behavior, ecotoxicity, toxicity.
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RISCTOX
Spanish language database that provides risks for health and the environment of individual substances.
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SIN List
The SIN List consists of chemicals that have been identified by the International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec) as being Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs), based on the criteria for these defined within REACH.
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UNEP Databank
Databank of laboratories analyzing persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
National:
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Household Products Database
This U. S. Department of Health and Human Services database links over 16,000 consumer brands to health effects.
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OSHA Occupational Chemical Database
This database compiles information from several government agencies and organizations. Available information includes physical properties, exposure guidelines, emergency response information and includes the NIOSH Pocket Guide.
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TOXNET
Includes databases on toxicology, hazardous chemicals, environmental health, and toxic releases.
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U.S. Life Cycle Inventory Database
Provides and accounting of the energy and material flows into and out of the environment that are associated with producing a material, component, or assembly in the U.S.
California
Massachusetts
Washington
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