Lowering the concentration of a flammable solvent to raise the flash point is an example of which inherently safer design approach?

• A. Minimize
• B. Substitute
• C. Moderation
• D. Eliminate

Answer: (C)

Lowering the concentration of a flammable solvent to raise the flash point shows moderation. Moderation means reducing the hazard by cutting the amount or concentration of a hazardous substance so the risk is lower without replacing it or removing it entirely. By reducing concentration, you lower the vapor available to ignite and raise the temperature at which vapors can ignite, making the process inherently safer. Substitution would mean using a different, safer chemical; elimination would remove the hazard altogether; minimizing would target overall use rather than adjusting concentration within the mixture. So this action specifically illustrates moderation.