Solvents

Liquids capable of dissolving other substances, but without reacting with them. Apart from water, Organic Compounds in particular find an application here. Solvents are present in, eg, Paints, printing inks or adhesives, and are used in metal degreasing, Dry Cleaning or the extraction of natural substances.

Solvents (with the exception of water) cause more or less significant environmental pollution and damage to the health. This is true in particular of the halogenated Solvents, which constitute a considerable danger to the ground water and to the quality of the air (involvment in Photo-chemical Smog).