Why Is EPA Working With Lithographers?
There are more than 52,000 lithographic printers in the United States. These small and medium-sized businesses print materials such as books, brochures, newspapers, magazines, and other items that are fixtures in our daily lives. In doing so, they make an important contribution to the nation’s economy. Offset presses utilized in the industry transfer the printed image from a plate to a rubber or plastic blanket and then to the paper or other medium being used. The cleanliness of the blanket is a primary concern for producing high-quality images. Blanket washes, consisting of varying types of solvents, are employed in removing ink, paper dust, and other debris from the blanket cylinder. However, some of these solvents can pose risks to human health and the environment. New, potentially less harmful blanket washes are appearing on the market, giving printers the opportunity to reduce impacts on the environment and minimize risks to workers. Testing new blanket washes, however, can be a t
