AVS 49th International Symposium
    Advancing Toward Sustainability Topical Conference Tuesday Sessions
       Session AT-TuA

Invited Paper AT-TuA3
Chemical Plant Safety After 9/11: Reducing Risks Associated with the Use of Organo/chlorinated Solvents in Degreasing Operations

Tuesday, November 5, 2002, 2:40 pm, Room C-210

Session: Benign Manufacturing, Climate Change, International Trade and World Economy, and Theological Considerations of Sustainable Development
Presenter: C.A. LeBlanc, Toxics Use Reduction Institute
Correspondent: Click to Email
The mission of the Surface Solutions Laboratory (SSL) is "to identify, develop and promote safer alternatives to hazardous materials such as chlorinated and other organic solvents." These materials are often used in industrial processes such as surface preparation, coating, cleaning, rinsing, drying and analysis in the production of manufactured goods. Located at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, SSL is a division of the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), established by the Commonwealth in 1989. Chemical advances are typically accompanied with advances in equipment, in this case, degreasing operations. This talk will focus on the lessons learned and the progress made in working with well over 100 companies in solvent-substitution projects during a five-year period. These firms range from high-tech (for example, semiconductor) to low-tech (for example, machine shop) enterprises. The events of September 11 may serve as a catalyst to improve plant safety, as local, state and federal agencies, as well as businesses contend with the prospect of deliberate chemical misuse. Attendees to this session will better understand how successful technical diffusion and technical transfer occurs. The role that 'disruptive technologies' play in these endeavors will be discussed as time allows.