Joinery: it’s a hands-on job. From fitting worktops to building storage and shelving, the task at hand can present a number of risks; from accidental falls and burning injuries to equipment failures and more. However, one risk is highly prevalent and continues to face joiners and fabricators throughout the world: dichloromethane.

WHAT IS DICHLOROMETHANE?

Commonly used in a range of products across the joinery landscape, dichloromethane can be found in the likes of paint strippers, aerosols and adhesives. Historically, the benefit of using dichloromethane in adhesives is that it delivers a fast-setting product, even at cooler temperatures.

Dichloromethane: Understanding the Risks

Despite their common nature in heavy industry, this chemical can pose a number of risks to our personal health - especially if contact is made via our skin, our eyes or our lungs:

	Eye Exposure - When contact is made with the eyes, dichloromethane can cause significant irritation. If left untreated, this can progress towards eventual vision loss.
	Inhalation - Dichloromethane can pose a significant risk to respiratory health in the event that it is inhaled. Whilst short-term effects including coughing, wheezing and/or a shortness of breath, higher levels of DCM can lead to headaches, nausea, fatigue and dizziness. Studies have even connected this chemical with several specific cancers, including brain and liver cancer.
	Skin Exposure - Despite its highly common nature, dichloromethane is noted for its impact on skin health. Continued exposure to this chemical can cause redness and irritation, which can even progress towards skin burns in more severe cases.

Addressing the Risks of Dichloromethane

The global health impacts of chemical inhalation at work are real and ever-growing. According to statistics released just a few years ago by the HSE, approximately 99% of work-related deaths each year can be attributed to chemical exposure. In total, around 13,000 deaths each year are from work-related lung disease and cancer arespirattributed to past exposures.

The sad fact is that many of these deaths go unnoticed, apart from by the close friends and family of those affected who witness their loved one’s slow demise. Even in cases where deaths don’t occur, many workers cite a decreasing quality of life with poor lung function; poor mobility, skin conditions and other health issues.

The risks of dichloromethane exposure are clear. Now, it’s time to act.

TensorGrip Joinery: Eliminating Dichloromethane, One Product at a Time

Here at TensorGrip Joinery Adhesives, the health and wellbeing of our customers is the top priority. Whilst we can’t eliminate dichloromethane from ALL of our adhesives in one day, we’re well on our way to achieving this objective. Until we reach that point, we’re focussed on one thing and one thing only: reducing the risks whilst guaranteeing maximum adhesive performance.

Make no mistake about it: we’re determined that eliminating dichloromethane from our adhesive formulation is absolutely possible. That’s why we’re driving our research and development resources into finding a suitable alternative to this hazardous chemical.

Yes - removing dichloromethane from our products certainly isn’t a walk in the park, and that’s especially true for contact adhesives. That’s because despite its risks, this chemical provides those ultra-strong bonds and speedy flash-off times our customers demand. However, in many cases, we’ve already found a way to innovate: it’s what we do.

Introducing TensorGrip Joinery DCM-Free Adhesives

We’re leading the way in removing dichloromethane from adhesives. Here’s a few of our pioneering products…

TensorGrip L19 | TensorGrip L20 | TensorGrip L21 | TensorGrip L22 | TensorGrip L24
TensorGrip L31 | TensorGrip L42 | TensorGrip LP64 | TensorGrip L68 | TensorGrip L90

TensorGrip Joinery Adhesives: Our Dichloromethane Commitment

At TensorGrip Joinery Adhesives, we’re proud to be a brand of Quin Global: adhesive innovators and masters of chemical engineering. Supported by cutting-edge technologies, a number of laboratory & testing facilities and an accomplished team of chemists, engineers and compliance experts; few adhesive brands are in such a position to eliminate the use of DCM. When it comes to waving goodbye to this chemical, we’re proud to be leading the way.