When solvents are used to extract compounds from plant matter, residual amounts of those toxic solvents can be accidently transferred into the finished product. Work with IFSD to ensure that your botanical products are solvent free when they are sent to market.
Except ethanol, the limits on the amount of solvent residue that can be present in manufactured botanical products are established by the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH). The ICH has determined 3 classes for solvents and requires processors to justify the presence of any detected residue in their final products. The 3 ICH classes are:
- Class 1 — Solvents that are extremely hazardous. Class 1 solvents include known human carcinogens, strongly suspected human carcinogens, and environmental hazards. The ICH recommends that Class 1 solvents are avoided in production.
- Class 2 — Solvents with degrees of toxicity that warrant solvent-specific exposure limits. The ICH recommends limiting the use of Class 2 solvents.
- Class 3 — A broad group of solvents that have a set permissible exposure limit of 50 mg per day. In general, products that are produced with Class 3 solvents must not exceed 0.5 percent solvent residue volume by weight.
In addition to class limits governing solvent applications, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set permissible exposure limits (PELs) to safeguard the health of workers who use approved solvents. The limits give an upper bound to the average amount or concentration of a given solvent that a worker can be safely be exposed to over an 8-hour period.
Take advantage of our residual solvent screening to ensure that your products meet your internal standards and all government regulations.