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White spirit
White spirit (UK)[note 1] or mineral spirits (US, Canada), also known as
mineral turpentine (AU/NZ), turpentine substitute, petroleum spirits,
solvent naphtha (petroleum), Varsol, Stoddard solvent, or, generically,
"paint thinner", is a petroleum-derived clear liquid used as a common
organic solvent in painting.[1]

A mixture of aliphatic, open-chain or alicyclic C7 to C12 hydrocarbons,

white spirit is insoluble in water and is used as an extraction solvent, as a
cleaning solvent, as a degreasing solvent and as a solvent in aerosols,
paints, wood preservatives, lacquers, varnishes, and asphalt products. In
western Europe about 60% of the total white spirit consumption is used in
paints, lacquers and varnishes.[1] White spirit is the most widely used
solvent in the paint industry. In households, white spirit is commonly used
to clean paint brushes after use, to clean auto parts and tools, as a starter
fluid for charcoal grills, to remove adhesive residue from non-porous
surfaces, and many other common tasks.
A 2-litre (4 imp pt) container of
The word "mineral" in "mineral spirits" or "mineral turpentine" is meant to white spirit
distinguish it from distilled spirits (distilled directly from fermented grains
and fruit) or from true turpentine (distilled tree resin).

Contents
Types and grades
Chemical numbers
Physical properties
Use
Toxicity
See also
Footnotes
References
External links

Types and grades

Three different types and three different grades of white spirit exist. The type refers to whether the solvent has
been subjected to hydrodesulfurization (removal of sulfur) alone (type 1), solvent extraction (type 2) or
hydrogenation (type 3).[2]

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Each type comprises three grades: low flash grade, regular grade, and high flash grade (flash refers to flash
point). The grade is determined by the crude oil used as the starting material and the conditions of distillation.[2]

In addition there is type 0, which is defined as distillation fraction with no further treatment, consisting
predominantly of saturated C9 to C12 hydrocarbons with a boiling range of 140–200 °C (284–392 °F).[3]

Stoddard solvent is a specific mixture of hydrocarbons, typically over 65% C10 or higher hydrocarbons,[4]
developed in 1924 by Atlanta dry cleaner W. J. Stoddard and Lloyd E. Jackson of the Mellon Institute of Industrial
Research as a less flammable petroleum-based dry cleaning solvent than the petroleum solvents then in use.[5][6]
Dry cleaners began using the result of their work in 1928 and it soon became the predominant dry cleaning
solvent in the United States, until the late 1950s.[7]

Turpentine substitute is generally not made to a standard and can have a wider range of components than
products marketed as white spirit, which is made to a standard (in the UK, British Standard BS 245, in Germany,
DIN 51632). Turpentine substitute can be used for general cleaning but is not recommended for paint thinning
as it may adversely affect drying times due to the less volatile components; while it may be used for brush
cleaning its heavier components may leave an oily residue.

In Australia, white spirit is normally sold under the generic name of Shellite (a trademark of Shell Australia), and
is composed of C6 to C10 straight alkanes, classing it as light pure naphtha. It is used for fuel and cleaning.

Chemical numbers
CAS EINECS Name Descriptive name Ref

8030-30- 232-443-
Naphtha
6 2

8052-41- 232-489- Stoddard Stoddard solvent is a US term corresponding to white spirit [3]
3 3 solvent type 1

64742- 265-191- white spirit type [3]

medium aliphatic solvent naphtha (petroleum)
88-7 7 0

64742- 265-185- white spirit type [3]

hydrodesulphurized heavy naphtha (petroleum)
82-1 4 1

64741- 265-095- white spirit type [3]

solvent-refined heavy naphtha (petroleum)
92-0 5 2

64742- 265-150- white spirit type [3]

hydrotreated heavy naphtha (petroleum)
48-9 3 3

Physical properties
Type 1 white spirit is mainly used in most of the Europe and Stoddard solvent is used in the US, both of which
correspond to each other.[3]

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White spirit types 1–3 physical properties[1]

Property T1: Low flash T2: Regular T3: High flash

Initial boiling point (IBP) (°C) 130–144 145–174 175–200

Final boiling point (°C) IBP+21, max. 220

Average relative molecular mass 140 150 160

Relative density (15 °C) 0.765 0.780 0.795

Flash point (°C) 21–30 31–54 > 55

Vapour pressure (kPa, 20 °C) 1.4 0.6 0.1

Volatility (n-butyl acetate = 1) 0.47 0.15 0.04

Autoignition temperature (°C) 240 240 230

Explosion limits (Flammable Range) (% by volume in air) 0.6–6.5 0.6–6.5 0.6–8

Vapour density (air=1) 4.5–5 4.5–5 4.5–5

Refractive index (at 20 °C) 1.41–1.44 1.41–1.44 1.41–1.44

Viscosity (cps, 25 °C) 0.74–1.65 0.74–1.65 0.74–1.65

Solubility (% by weight in water) < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1

Kauri-butanol value 29–33 29–33 29–33

Aniline point (°C) 60–75 60–75 60–75

Reactivity reaction with strong oxidizing agents

Odor threshold (mg/m3) — 0.5–6 4

Use
White Spirit is a petroleum distillate used as a paint thinner and mild solvent. In industry, mineral spirits are used
for cleaning and degreasing machine tools and parts, and in conjunction with cutting oil as a thread cutting and
reaming lubricant.

Mineral spirits are an inexpensive petroleum-based replacement for the vegetable-based turpentine. It is
commonly used as a paint thinner for oil-based paint and cleaning brushes, and as an organic solvent in other
applications. Mineral turpentine is chemically very different from turpentine, which mainly consists of pinene,
and it has inferior solvent properties.[8] Artists use mineral spirits as an alternative to turpentine since it is less
flammable and less toxic. Because of interactions with pigments in oil paints, artists require a higher grade of
mineral spirits than many industrial users, including the complete absence of residual sulfur.

Mineral spirits were formerly an active ingredient in the laundry soap Fels Naptha, used to dissolve oils and
grease in laundry stains, and as a popular remedy for eliminating the contagious oil urushiol in poison ivy. It was
removed as a potential health risk.

Mineral spirits have a characteristic unpleasant kerosene-like odor. Chemical manufacturers have developed a
low odor version of mineral turpentine which contains less of the highly volatile shorter hydrocarbons.[9]
Odorless mineral spirits are mineral spirits that have been further refined to remove the more toxic aromatic

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compounds, and are recommended for applications such as oil painting, where humans have close contact with
the solvent.

In screen printing (also referred to as silk-screening), mineral spirits are often used to clean and unclog screens
after printing with oil-based textile and plastisol inks. They are also used to thin inks used in making monoprints.

Mineral spirits are often used inside liquid-filled compasses and gauges.[10]

Mineral spirits are used for regripping golf clubs. After the old grip is removed, the mineral spirits are poured
into the new grip and shaken. After the mineral spirits are poured on, the new underlying tape and the new grip
are slid on. After an hour of drying out, the new grip and club are ready to use.

Although not normally marketed as a fuel, white spirit can be used as an alternative to kerosene in portable
stoves, since it is merely a light grade of kerosene. It cannot be used as an alternative to white gas, which is a
much more volatile gasoline-like fuel.

White spirits are a major ingredient in some popular automotive fuel/oil additives, such as Marvel Mystery Oil, as
they are capable of dissolving varnish and sludge buildup.[11]

Mineral spirits are commonly used for cutting fluid in ultraprecision lathes (commonly referred to as diamond
turning machines).

Toxicity
White spirit is mainly classed as an irritant. It has a fairly low acute toxicity by inhalation of the vapour, dermal
(touching the skin) and oral routes (ingestion). However, acute exposure can lead to central nervous system
depression resulting in lack of coordination and slowed reactions. Exposure to very high concentrations in
enclosed spaces can lead to general narcotic effects (drowsiness, dizziness, nausea etc...) and can eventually lead
to unconsciousness. Oral ingestion presents a high aspiration hazard. Prolonged or repeated skin exposure over
a long period of time can result in severe irritant dermatitis, also called contact dermatitis.[2] Exposure to white
spirit in direct contact with the skin for several hours can cause severe chemical burns.[12]

Exposure to an average white spirit concentration of 240 mg/m3 (40 ppm) for more than 13 years (of continuous
exposure time) can lead to chronic central nervous system effects. Similar long-term studies have been made in
which some of the observed effects included memory impairment, poor concentration, increased irritability etc.
White spirit is implicated in the development of chronic toxic encephalopathy (CTE) among house painters. In
severe cases CTE may lead to disability and personality changes.[2][3] These effects in painters were first studied
in 1970s in the Nordic countries.[3]

Owing to the volatility and low bioavailability of its constituents, white spirit, although it is moderately toxic to
aquatic organisms, is unlikely to present significant hazards to the environment. It should not however, be
purposely poured down the sink or freshwater drain.[2]

People can be exposed to Stoddard solvent in the workplace by breathing it in, swallowing it, skin contact, and
eye contact. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the legal limit (Permissible
exposure limit) for Stoddard solvent exposure in the workplace as 500 ppm (2900 mg/m3) over an 8-hour
workday. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has set a Recommended exposure
limit (REL) of 350 mg/m3 over an 8-hour workday and 1800 mg/m3 over 15 minutes. At levels of 20,000 mg/m3,
Stoddard solvent is immediately dangerous to life and health.[13]

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See also
Naphtha, a combination of aliphatic hydrocarbons C5–C12
Coleman fuel, a form of white gas used as a stove fuel

Footnotes
1. Primarily in the United Kingdom. In Australia and New Zealand "white spirit" can also refer to Coleman fuel
(white gas).

References
1. "White spirit (EHC 187, 1996)" (http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc187.htm). www.inchem.org.
Geneva: World Health Organization. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
2. "White spirit (HSG 103, 1996)" (http://www.inchem.org/documents/hsg/hsg/hsg103.htm). www.inchem.org.
1996. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
3. European Chemical Agency: Committee for Risk Assessment, "Annex 1 – Background document to RAC
opinion on white spirit" (https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/13641/adopted_annex1_bd_for_white_spi
rit_en.pdf), p. 5, adopted 10 June 2011.
4. "STODDARD SOLVENT" (http://hazard.com/msds/mf/baker/baker/files/s6588.htm). hazard.com. Retrieved
2017-11-19.
5. Environmental law handbook (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/757405855). Sullivan, Thomas F. P., Bell,
Christopher L. (21st ed.). Lanham, Md.: Government Institutes. 2011. ISBN 9781605907253. OCLC 757405855
(https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/757405855).
6. "A Chronology of Historical Developments in Drycleaning" (https://drycleancoalition.org/download/dryclean
ing-historical_developments.pdf) (PDF). drycleancoalition.org. State Coalition for Remediation of
Drycleaners. 2007.
7. "Cleaning Up the Dry Cleaning Standard" (http://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications/NFPA-Jour
nal/2014/March-April-2014/Features/Dry-Cleaning). www.nfpa.org. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
8. Dieter Stoye “Solvents” in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry2002, Wiley-VCH, Wienheim.
doi:10.1002/14356007.a24_437 (https://doi.org/10.1002%2F14356007.a24_437)
9. "Mineral Turpentine (Low Odour) Product Sheet" (http://www.recochem.com.au/files/downloads/Cons_Mine
ral_Turpentine_Low_Odour_PDS_Apr11.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved 2011-04-30.
10. "The Prince of Guides". Boating Magazine: 24. September 2004.
11. "National Transportation Safety Board Incident Report" (https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief2.
aspx?ev_id=20020916X01610&ntsbno=NYC02LA181&akey=1). Retrieved 2012-11-11.
12. Dolan, Andy (2011-10-20). "Businesswoman took five months to die from chemical burns after 'being
doused in white spirits for sleeping with the chef' " (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2051479/Busine
sswoman-suffered-slow-agonising-death-chemical-burns-doused-white-spirits-sleeping-married-man.html).
Daily Mail. London.
13. "CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Stoddard solvent" (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd
0569.html). www.cdc.gov. Retrieved 2015-11-21.

External links
ICPS safety sheet White Spirit (Stoddard Solvent) (http://www.inchem.org/documents/hsg/hsg/hsg103.htm)
— World Health Organization

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Environmental Health Criteria 187 (http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc187.htm) — World

Health Organization
Chemicals Used In Drycleaning Operations - Environmental Enlightenment (http://www.amiadini.com/newsle
tters/environmental-enlightenment-090.html)
CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0569.html)

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