The characteristics of solvents and plasticizers are reviewed. A solvent is a fluid or mixture of fluids capable of dissolving substances to produce compositions of industrial value. During the refining of many non ferrous metals, the froth flotation process allows recovery of small quantities of minerals that would be lost if water alone were used as the solvent. Solvent degreasing of metals is accomplished by several methods: cold dripping, vapor degreasing, immersion, pressure spraying, and ultrasonic degreasing. A plasticizer is a nonvolatile solvent that is incorporated with substances of greater molecular size to improve workability, flexibility, and distensibility, during both processing and subsequent life as commercial products. Plasticizers are used chiefly in molding, calendering, extruding, and press polishing resin combinations. Occupational dermatitis from solvents and plasticizers is confined almost exclusively to workers involved in the manufacturing process. Factors contributing to the injurious effects of solvents on the skin include the physical properties of the solvent and ability to penetrate the stratum corneum. Irritation may also result from contact with solvent vapors. Coal (8002059) tar solvent hazards may exist through use with benzene (71432), toluene (108883), ethyl-benzene (100414), and xylene (1330207). Petroleum solvents include gasoline, benzine (91225), kerosene (8008206), cumene (98828), and dipentene (138863). Chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents include carbon-tetrachloride (56235), trichloroethane (79005), tetrachloroethane (79345), trichloroethylene (79016), methylene-chloride (75092), and ethylene-dichloride (107062). Alcohol solvents consist of methyl-alcohol (67561), formaldehyde (50000), ethyl-alcohol (64175), and isopropyl-alcohol (67630). Other solvents include turpentine (8006642), acetone (67641), methylethyl-ketone (78933), carbon-disulfide (75150), dimethylsulfate (77781), dimethylsulfoxide (67685), ethylene-glycol (107211), propylene-glycol (57556), ethylene-oxide (75218), Stoddard-solvent (8052413), amyl-acetate (628637), ethyl-acetate (141786), butyl-acetate (123864), 1,4-dioxane (123911), cellosolve (110805), decalin (91178), styrene (100425), and ethylenediamine (107153).