Volatile organic compounds chemical manufacturing release

The sources of air pollutants include industrial as well as consumer use of chemicals. Virtually every one of man s activities in the twenty-first century results in the release of volatile and/or particulate matter xenobiotics into the air. Such activities include unexpected ones such as the opening of a loaf of bread (propionic acid is released from almost all packaged bread ) anc[ changing a baby s diaper (disposable diapers contain several volatile organic compounds introduced during their manufacture 2 ). 

Solvent Alternatives. The environmental consequence of using organic solvents in the manufacture of chemical products has been an issue of concern for many years. The new Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) (24) have listed many commonly used volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are used as solvents as hazardous air pollutants. A number of research projects are on-going with the goal of reducing the amount of VOCs used and released by the chemical industry. 

The importance of solvents in batch processes for the manufacture of many fine chemicals, chemical intermediates and other high-value products cannot be overestimated. These processes normally run in solvents and often involve solvents in the work-up and separation stages. Since solvents are often the major components in such processes, they are also likely to be the major source of waste. Controls on the release of volatile organic compounds, restrictions on the use of chlorinated and some other solvents, and the growing concerns over the use of dipolar aprotic solvents make the solvent issue of vital importance to many chemical companies in the industrial world. The nature of solvent effects, the parameters that are used to describe solvent power, and the role of solvents in chemical reactions are discussed in chapter 12 along with a consideration of some alternatives to the more commonly used solvents. 

---