Solvent

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-026114",
  "term": "Solvent",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A solvent is a liquid that is capable of dissolving another substance to make a new solution. Solvents are used to dissolve paint solids to make paint and as cleaning solutions because they dissolve grease and oils.\n\n2. A substance capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances.\n\n3. The liquid component of a solution in which a substance is dissolved.\n\n4. A chemical product that is used to dissolve other compounds; typically found in cleaners and used in petrochemical processes.\n\n5. A substance that dissolves other substances, thus forming a solution. Water dissolves more substances than any other, and is known as the \"universal solvent\".\n\n6. Fluid containing organic compounds used to perform paint stripping, surface prep, or cleaning of surface coating equipment.\n\n7. A variety of products, whose boiling points and hydrocarbon composition are closely controlled, are produced for use as solvents. These include benzene, toluene, and xylene.\n\n8. Substance (e.g., acetone) which is combined with the test substance to facilitate introduction of the test substance into the dilution water.\n\n9. Liquid used in a coating or contact adhesive to dissolve or disperse constituents and/or to adjust viscosity. It evaporates during drying and does not become a part of the dried film.\n\n10. Substances used to dissolve another substance. Some commonly used solvents, such as TCE, are important environmental contaminants.\n\n11. Substance (usually a liquid) that dissolves a solute to form a solution.\n\n12. Liquid that has the ability to dissolve, suspend, or extract other materials without causing chemical change to the material or solution.",
  "subject": "Air",
  "references": [
    "Improving Air Quality in Your Community Glossary",
    "I-BEAM Glossary of Terms",
    "Superfund",
    "USGS Water Science Glossary of Terms",
    "40 CFR 63.11180 (CFR 2013)",
    "DOL Occupational Health and Safety Administration Petroleum Refining Process at https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iv/otm_iv_2.html#app_iv:2_1",
    "40 CFR 795.120 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 63.801 (CFR 2013)",
    "ACE Glossary of Terms",
    "Basic Concepts in Environmental Sciences",
    "EPA's Safer Choice Standard (February 2015) https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2013-12/documents/standard-for-safer-products.pdf"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/solvent/"
}