Category:Solvents

Definition

Solvent: A substance that dissolves another to form a solution. In this context, "solvent" refers to organic chemicals, usually in liquid form, that may have health or environmental concerns.

Choosing Solvents

Visit the Solvent Choice page for a discussion of sustainability and health and safety issues in solvent choice. and the Solvent Table for information on the environmental impact of top solvents used in conservation.

Solvent List

Water

Acetone

Ethanol

Denatured Alcohol

Toluene

Ammonium Hydroxide

Xylene

Isopropanol

Mineral Spirits

VM&P Naptha

Hydrogen Peroxide

Stoddard Solvent

Solvent Use By Specialty Group

Book and Paper

Paintings

Textiles

Solvent Disposal

Something as simple as some chemical compounds in the solvents we use become pollutants when they enter the environment through off-gassing or disposal with the potential to adversely impact ecosystems. One thing to keep in mind is that our definitions of what pollutants are changes, almost daily, as we learn more and more about potential adverse effects through on-going research.

In 2001 the Health and Safety Committee[1] published, as a special insert to the AIC newsletter, an article entitled Waste Management for Conservators that provides an excellent overview of the issues and our responsibilities. This document is now in the Health and Safety wiki[2].

References and Citations