© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell

Alternatives Assessment 

Methodology

Dr. Jason Marshall

Lab Director 

Toxics Use Reduction Institute
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 2

Who We Are

• The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) 

researches, tests and promotes pollution 

prevention and alternatives to toxic 

chemicals used in Massachusetts industries 

and communities

• MA TUR Act of 1989

– Sister agency to MA OTA & MA DEP

• http://www.mass.gov/envir/ota/

• http://edep.dep.mass.gov
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 3

Technical Assistance Provider

• The goal of the lab is to assist industry in the 

search for safer cleaning processes

– By developing and promoting safer alternatives to 

hazardous solvents

– Conducting process specific testing

• Services to Companies

– On-site walk through

– Laboratory testing

– Piloting

• Lab

• On-site

– On-site follow up Assistance
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 4

What Have We Done?

• Providing technical assistance since 1993

• TUR Lab has helped hundreds of companies find safer 

alternatives to hazardous cleaning solvents

• Process specific testing

• The implementation rate for clients of the lab is three 

times higher than the national average for technical 

assistant providers

• Prior to 2007, 33% of the companies fully adopt the lab’s 

recommendations

• During next 2 years, near 80%
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 5

Where to Start?

• Alternatives Assessment Options

– Performance

– Health & Environment

– Cost
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 6

Gather Information

• Questions to Ask 

– What is the purpose of cleaning?

– What are the problems with present cleaning 

system?

– What are you trying to remove (soils)?

– What is being cleaned (substrates)?

– How are you cleaning it (equipment)?

– How do you determine how clean is clean?

• TURI Lab Test Request form
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 7

Identifying an Alternative

• The cleaner must be assessed for

– Ability to remove the contaminants

– Compatibility with the surfaces to be cleaned

– Works with equipment that will be used

• The alternative should be safe for the 

worker and the environment
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 8

Alternatives Abound 

• Process is challenging

– Thousands of products

– Different information from different vendors

– What is right for some may not work for others

• Need for an easier selection method

– Independent analysis of products

– Objective operating conditions

– Process specific final evaluations
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 9

Selecting an Alternative

• When choosing an alternative

– Don’t shift the risk

• From worker to environment

OR

• From environment to worker

– Ex. Replacing flammable solvent with a ozone depleting 

chemical

– Want to select a product that is safer for one or 

the other

• Would be best if safer for both
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 10

Performance Testing
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 11

Testing an Alternative 

Phase 1 Use of CleanerSolutions

• TURI Lab Database of Testing

– Used to identify safer and effective products

• Safety Screening Scores

– VOC, ODP, GWP, HMIS/NFPA, pH

• Matching Performance

– Contaminant, substrate, equipment, current solvent

www.cleanersolutions.org
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 12

Testing an Alternative 

Phase 2

• Initial laboratory evaluation of alternatives

– Using basic operating conditions

• Minimal concentration 

• Short times

• Little agitation

– Using coupons matching part substrate

– Using supplied contaminants

– Compare with current solvent (if possible)
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 13

Testing an Alternative

Phase 3

• Advanced lab evaluation of alternatives

– Using client specific operating conditions

• Moderate concentration (if necessary)

• Times

• Appropriate agitation (match current equipment)

– Using coupons matching part substrate

– Using supplied contaminants

– Compare with current solvent (if possible)

– Determine if there are any health risks that the 

screening does not address

• TURI’s Pollution Prevention Options Analysis System -

P2OAYSys
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 14

Testing an Alternative

Phase 4

• Pilot cleaning in lab setting

– Using client specific operating conditions

– Using client supplied parts

– Compare with current solvent (if possible)

– Send/bring parts to client for assessment
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 15

Testing an Alternative

Phase 5

• Pilot testing at facility

– Using best alternative cleaning products

– Using operating conditions from lab piloting

• Modify conditions if necessary

– Set up piloting off-line from current system

• Compare pilot cleaned parts with current system for 

parts from the same manufacturing lot

• Get end user input for performance
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 16

What’s Worked?
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© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 18

Search Results
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Side-By-Side Comparison
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Vendor Searching
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Trichloroethylene Specific Testing

• Summary of testing conducted at TURI Lab

– 1993 through 2013

• TCE Projects at TURI Lab

– 1000 words in 1 slide
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 24
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Industry Sectors

• Aircraft

• Capacitor mfr 

• Jewelry 

• Plating & Metal working 

• Semiconductor/electronics 

• Tools 

• Wire & Cable 

• General Mfr 
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 26

What Type of Alternatives?

Classification Number of Products Number of Tests Run

Alcohol 1 1

Alcohol-Semi Aqueous 1 4

Alkaline Aqueous 34 426

Biobased 3 4

Caustic 3 4

Ester 3 12

HCFC 1 25

HFE 8 47

Neutral Aqueous 4 29

nPB 8 117

Organic 2 9

Petroleum Distillate 5 30

Semi-Aqueous 1 4

Terpene 4 26

Volatile Methyl Siloxanes 3 9
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 27

What Has Been Cleaned?

Soils

Buffing/Polishing Compounds 226

Oil 423

Paints/INKS/Coatings 62

Waxes 15

Other 14
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 28

Processes Investigated

Method

Immersion/Soak 424

Low Pressure Spray 11

Manual Wipe 1

Mechanical Agitation 108

Ultrasonics 185

Vapor Degreasing 18
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 29

Selection Process More Than Just 

What Works

• Alternatives Assessment Options

– Performance

– Health & Environment

– Cost
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 30

EHS Assessment

• Safety Screening Scores

– VOC, ODP, GWP, HMIS/NFPA, pH

• Comprehensive Evaluation

• Green Certifications
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 31

Safety Screening Search
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Safety Screening
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Linking EHS and Performance
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Comprehensive Evaluation

• Pollution Prevention Options Assessment 

System developed by TURI

– www.turi.org/p2oasys

• Systematically examine the potential 

environmental and worker impact in a 

comprehensive manner

• Compares options with current technology 

using quantitative and qualitative factors

– Allows for an Apples to Orange Comparison
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 35

P2OASYS Categories

Major Category Number of Criteria

• Acute human effects 10

• Chronic human effects 8

• Physical hazards 5

• Aquatic hazards 5

• Persistence/bioaccumulation 5

• Atmospheric hazard 4

• Disposal hazard 4

• Chemical hazard 13

• Energy & resource use 3

• Product hazard 3

• Exposure potential 1

11 categories and 61 elements
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 36

Criteria
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Acute Human Effects Category

• Inhalation LC50

• PEL/TLV

• IDLH

• Respiratory irritation

• Oral LD50

• Dermal irritation

• Skin absorption

• Dermal LD50

• Ocular irritation
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 39

Acute Human Effects

Inhalation LC50 Value Rating

< 15 ppm 10

15 – 149 ppm 8

150 – 999 ppm 6

1,000 – 9,999 ppm 4

> 10,000 ppm 2
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 40

P2OASys Comparison Summary
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 41

Resource for P2OASys

• P2OASys worksheet

– http://www.turi.org/home/hot_topics/cleaner_production/p2oasys_tool_

to_compare_materials/p2oasys_tool

• P2OASys data collection spreadsheet

– http://www.turi.org/content/download/8353/140988/file/P2OASys%20dat

a%20collection%20spreadsheet%20for%20website.xls

• Guidance document locating data points

– http://www.turi.org/content/download/8857/159016/file/Guidance%20d

ocument%20locating%20data%20points%202-27-14.docx

• Guidance on L-M-H assessment

– http://www.turi.org/content/download/8858/159026/file/Guidance%20o

n%20L-M-H%20assessment%202-27-14.docx
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Third Party Green Products

• EPA DfE

• Green Seal GS 34

• Ecologo
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 43

Selection Process More Than Just 

What Works and Safe

• Alternatives Assessment Options

– Performance

– Health & Environment

– Cost
© Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell 44

Alternatives Selection 

• Remember, It All Depends

– The products you find should be tested on your 

specific soils following your current cleaning 

process

• Time, temperature, equipment, etc.