How safe is your industrial cleaner?
Traditionally light oil, kerosene or degreaser based on Isopropyl alcohol are recommended as the cleaning agent. However, the industry practice has been to provide commonly available diesel, mineral turpentine oil (MTO), trichloroethylene (TCE) and kerosene as the cleaning agent to its Maintenance team.
Are cleaning agents safe?
While cleaning effect with diesel is good, the low flash point and continuous exposure of the personnel to the nauseating odour of diesel renders the working environment vulnerable. Apart from the known symptoms such as irritation to skin and eyes, continuous exposure to diesel without safety gear can affect central nervous system, immune and hormonal systems in adults.
Continuous exposure to kerosene is known to cause irritation to eyes and skin in humans. Studies have shown that chronic exposure to kerosene can result in drowsiness, irritability, restlessness and even convulsions. Flash point of kerosene varies between 23°C to 61°C.
Owing to their low flash points and associated safety concerns, authorities in many countries prohibit and dissuade industries from using diesel and kerosene as a cleaning.
Even more dangerous is the use of MTO as a cleaning agent, the health hazards and environmental impact associated with this traditional cleaning agent has been well established. Fortunately, with increased awareness, the use of MTO has waned within the industry. Disposal of used cleaning agent is also a factor that is controlled by Authorities and expensive to manage.
Beruclean Eco Vs. Diesel Vs. Kerosene
| Characteristic | Beruclean Eco | Diesel | Kerosene |
| Odour | Neutral, almost no smell | Strong nauseating | Strong odour |
| Flash point | 70°C | 32°C | 23°C to 61°C |
| Biodegradable | Yes | No. Increases disposable costs | No. Increases disposable costs |
| Evaporation rate | Low | High | High |
| Exposure hazard | None | High probability. Can cause skin and eye irritation. Can affect nervous system | Causes skin and eye irritation. Chronic exposure can lead to drowsiness, irritability and convulsions |
Replace toxic trichloroethylene (TCE) with safe, bio-degradable cleaner Beruclean Eco
Cleaners based on ‘trichloroethylene’ have been popular in the industry due to their lower costs, however, these industrial cleaners lower the safety and health quotient of the work environment. The nauseating odor of such cleaners can affect employee morale significantly. Apart from the known symptoms such as irritation to skin and eyes, without proper safety gear, Trichloroethylene (TCE) can affect central nervous system, resulting in drowsiness, irritability, restlessness, convulsions. Chronic exposure to TCE may even impair hormonal and immune system in adults.
Studies have shown that toxic degreasing solvents like TCE can have adverse effect on the environment when released to the atmosphere.
The Beruclean range of industrial cleaners by BECHEM are one of the best alternatives to trichloroethylene (TCE) based cleaning agents. With a list of bio-degradable products, the Beruclean range have proven their efficiency and performance for precision cleaning in various industries like Steel, Automotive Components, Food, Beverage, Pharma, Animal feed processing etc.
Why Beruclean Eco is superior to Trichloroethylene (TCE)?
| Characteristic | Beruclean Eco | Trichloroethylene (TCE) |
| Odour | Neutral | Strong nauseating |
| Exposure hazard | None | Emits hazardous toxic vapors |
| Biodegradable | Yes | No |
| Operator friendly | Yes | Long-term health concerns, can Increase risk of cancer. |
| Corrosion protection | Temporary rust inhibitor | Does not provide corrosion protection |
| Disposable cost | None | Very high |
| Handling | Easy to handle, mix and dilute | Hazardous to nature. Causes water pollution which affects aquatic life. |
Beruclean Eco by BECHEM
- Powerful cleaning agent: The colourless cleaning liquid removes all types of oil and grease contaminations, waxes and stubborn residues within used bearing and machine parts, irrespective of its size
- Beruclean is neutral in odor free and creates a safe work environment for employees unlike cleaners based on ‘trichloroethylene (TCE)’
- Optimal consumption: Having a lower evaporation rate, being a more stable, reduces the overall cleaner consumption rate
- Environment friendly: A biodegradable (OECD 301 F: 70% after 28 days) industrial degreaser having minimum waste disposal risk
- Healthy and Safe workplace: Being free of organic solvents and phosphates, it is not harmful for human health.
- NSF H1 certified (food grade approved for incidental contact).
- Compared to TCE based Industrial degreaser it has a higher flash point up to 70°C , reducing the risk of accidental fire
- Best solvent for cleaning metal: Being versatile in nature, compatible with ferrous and nonferrous metals, including other materials like stone, tiles, marble, plastic, elastomers, textiles etc.
- Convenient application methods: Can be used for regular manual cleaning processes as well as in flood and immersion baths and ultrasonic cleaning machines.
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