Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 3-4. Use of Most Commonly Occurring VOCs
Substances
Uses
Trichloroethylene
Mainly as a degreasing solvent in metal industries. Common ingredient
in household products, such as spot removers, rug cleaners, air
fresheners, dry-cleaning fluids, refrigerants, and inhalation
anesthetics.
Tetrachloroethylene
Mainly as a dry-cleaning solvent in commercial and coin-operated
systems. Used as textile scouring solvent; dried vegetable fumigant;
rug and upholstery cleaner; stain, spot, lipstick, and rust remover;
printing ink ingredient; heat transfer media; chemical intermediate in
the production of other organic compounds; and metal degreaser.
Carbon tetrachloride
Mainly in manufacture of fluorocarbons used as refrigerants, foam-
blowing agents, and solvents. Used in fumigants, although use in
grain fumigation is decreasing; minor uses in metal cleaning and
manufacturer of paint and plastics. Banned for use in consumer
goods in 1970 and as aerosol propellant in 1978.
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Mainly in metal cleaning. Used for leather tanning, vapor depressant
in aerosols and solvent for adhesives, septic tank degreasers, drain
cleaners, inks, shoe polishes, cutting oils, and many other products.
1,2-Dichloroethane
Mainly as intermediate in manufacture of vinyl chloride monomers.
Use as intermediate in manufacture of chlorinated solvents such as
tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, and 1,1,1-trichloroethane; as
solvent for cleaning textiles, cleaning PVC-processing equipment,
processing pharmaceutical equipment, extracting oil from soil seeds;
and in manufacturing paints, coatings, and adhesives, fumigating
stored grain products, and lead-scavenging additives.
Vinyl chloride
Mainly in the manufacture of plastics, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins,
and polyvinyl chloride fabrication. Vinyl chloride and PVC used as
raw materials in various industries such as rubber, glass, paper, and
automotive; and in manufacture of electrical wire insulation and
cables, pipe, industrial and household equipment, medical supplies,
food-packaging materials, and building and construction products.
Source:
See Reference 5.
the environment, and may prove useful in attempts to isolate specific causes of con-
tamination.
Alternatives for Controlling VOCs
When a water supply is found to be contaminated with VOCs, various strategies are
available to address the problem. These strategies may be classified as either manage-
ment or treatment strategies. Selection of the proper strategy for a specific contami-
nation problem may require an extensive evaluation of a wide range of factors. Among
the most important criteria to be considered are:
Public opinion
•
Regulatory agency acceptance
•
Cost
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