Larry, We use PMA and PME as solvents in our Imagecure Soldermask Products. PME is CAS # 107-98-2, it is called Propylene glycol methel ether or Propylene glycol monomethel ether. It is also 1-methoxy-2-propanol. Arco sells this as Arcosolv PM and Dow Chemical sells this as Dowanol PM. An MSDS produced by Ashland Chemical on this product shows the PEL and TLV as 100 ppm. Overexposure is listed as having apparently been found to cause the following effects in laboratory animals: Liver abnormalities, kidney damage. PMA is CAS # 108-65-70657-70-4. It is called Propylene glycol methyl ether acetate or Propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate. It is also 1-Methoxy-2-Propanol, Acetate. It is usually sold as a mixture ith 95%+ 1-Methoxy-2-Propanol, Acetate (CAS #108-65-6) and 3% plus or minus 2% 2-Methoxy-1-Propanol, Acetate (CAS #70657-70-5). Arco Chemical sells this as Arcolsolv PMA and Dow sells this as Dowanol PMA. No TLV or PEL has been established. Both Dow and Arco have good technical assistance centers you can call to get more information from. You probably should ask your supplier for MSDS's on these products also. Dow has a Glycol Ethers handbook available, call their Dow Customer Service Center at 1-800-232-CHEM. I don't have the ARCO number available, but you can probably get this through your local suppliers. One other comment is, the flashpoint of PMA is 116F (combustible) and the flashpoint of PME is 91F (flammable). Depending on the proportions, you mixture may be listed as a flammable or a combustible, which affects how you store the product. Jim Thrush Coates ASI ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: Propylene Glycol Ethers Solvent Usage Author: [log in to unmask] at internet Date: 03/31/97 06:24 PM Larry, In reference to your message (below): To emit solvents (or any other VOC) in Oregon, you need a permit. It can be a full blown Air Contaminant Discharge Permit (ACDP), or it can be what used to be called a "minor source" permit. I think it is now called a letter permit to prevent confusion with "natural minors" and "synthetic minors" in the Title V programs. It sounds like even if all your losses of solvent were evaporative, there would only be about 2000 pounds per year of emissions. Usually anything under 10 tons per year gets a letter permit, but DEQ has the last word on that. At any rate, whether you have a permit or not, if you install any piece of equipment that discharges air pollutants, you have to file a "Notice of Intent to Construct an Air Pollution Source" (or an NC). The forms are available from the Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The forms have various questions about the amount and type of emissions, any pollution control equipment that will be installed, when you expect to finish the installation, etc. You fill out and send the form in, and DEQ has 60 days to get back with you. DEQ will send you a letter which has an NC number on it and that letter is your approval to install and operate your equipment. If you don't receive anything from them within 60 days, you have tacit approval to install and operate your piece of equipment. However, they can request more information on the 59th day, and once you submit it, your 60-day waiting period begins anew. Once the equipment installation is completed, you have to file a form (called the Notice of Construction Completion) with DEQ stating so. This form will be sent to you when they send you the NC form. As far as exposure levels go, I am unfamiliar with these particular chemicals. It's possible that I know them under another synonym, but I can't find any cross-references. Maybe someone else on ComplianceNet knows something. Looking in the ACGIH Threshold Limit Values book shows a Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 100 ppm for propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME) and 400 ppm for isopropanol. PGME is the closest analog that I can find to the acetate. Good Luck and contact me if you have any questions. John Sharp Merix Corp., Forest Grove, OR 503-992-4351 phone 503-359-1040 FAX [log in to unmask] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- Greetings to all, My company is an OEM involved in PWB assembly and we are purchasing a solvent cleaning system that can use various solvents (combustable and flammable types included). We are considering loading the wash sump with a solvent called Megasolv JB, which is made up of Propylene Glycol n-Propyl Ether (PNP) and Propylene Glycol Methyl Ether Acetate (PMA). The rinse sump would be loaded with regular 99% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). The equipment is has spraying wands that spray the appropriate solvent onto the PWBA's then the solvent drains back into separate sumps. The spray and sump chambers are sealed during operation, but open for PWBA removal and solvent replacement. The unit has a vent hood that is attached to an exhaust system which removes vapors escaping the unit during use and transfers them outside the building. I expect solvent use to be approximately 10 gallons per month of each solvent. My questions are as follows, What, if any, regulations apply to this type of solvent use (in Oregon)? And, Does anyone have any experience or input regarding exposure levels, solvent effectivenes, etc for this type solvent? I believe that Rosstech solvent 119ME is very similar. All input is appreciated. Larry Morse [log in to unmask] Phone: 541-766-0362 ************************************************************************** * The mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * ************************************************************************** * To unsubscribe from this list at any time, send a message to: * * [log in to unmask] with <subject: unsubscribe> and no text. * ************************************************************************** * If you are having a problem with the ComplianceNet forum, please call * * Dmitriy Sklyar at 847-509-9700 ext. 311 or email at [log in to unmask] * ************************************************************************** ************************************************************************** * The mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * ************************************************************************** * To unsubscribe from this list at any time, send a message to: * * [log in to unmask] with <subject: unsubscribe> and no text. * ************************************************************************** * If you are having a problem with the ComplianceNet forum, please call * * Dmitriy Sklyar at 847-509-9700 ext. 311 or email at [log in to unmask] * **************************************************************************