SOLVENTS Most plastisol inks are solvent based. This means that they use one or more of the following chemicals to keep the color part of the ink suspended during the printing operations:
• Hexane • Ethanol • Propyl Acetate • Butanol • 2-Butoxyethanol • Acetone
• Methyl-ethyl-keytone (MEK) • Methanol • Propylene Oxide • Xylene • Methyl-isobutyl-keytone(MIBIK) • Isopropyl Alcohol Ethyl Acetate
Yes, this is a big list. And most of these solvents are considered hazardous air pollutants. Some can help the formation of smog. Most are either acutely or chronically toxic to humans. Several are known or suspected carcinogens, teratogens and mutanogens. Many printing processes use heat to drive off these solvents. This processes dries or “sets” the ink. This can lead to health and air quality problems if the solvent emitted are not properly taken care of or treated.
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