Solvents & You

Solvents are chemical materials that can dissolve, suspend or extract other substances, generally without causing a change in the chemical nature of either the solvent or other substance being treated.

Solvents can be organic, meaning they contain carbon - the basic building block of life; or inorganic meaning they do not contain carbon.  As such, water (consisting of hydrogen and oxygen) is classed as an inorganic solvent, whereas hydrocarbons and oxygenated solvents are examples of the organic variety.

There are many different types of solvents with contrasting physical and chemical properties.  The result of this is that they can be applied into many end uses, and are found in a wide variety of products ranging from cleaners & degreasers, paints and adhesives, to personal care products (shampoos, face creams) and pharmaceuticals.