Lithographic industry experts recently completed a study in which blanket washes which contain acetone were found to have a detrimental effect on printing blankets. Acetone was recently exempted as a VOC by the USEPA.

Excessive swelling of blankets wetted with acetone was noted. This can cause plate alignment problems. Portions of the blanket were removed after contacting acetone, resulting in a smaller dried blanket. Blanket surfaces also seemed to indicate signs of degradation.

Author: Ryan Eppenberger
Source: The Environmental Group. Summary available at
http://www.envgroup.org/release1.html