Carbon black is the general term used to describe a powdery commercial form of carbon. It is also known as Lamp black, Furnace black, Thermal black, and Channel black and is generated by the incomplete combustion of gaseous or liquid hydrocarbons (PAHs).
The most common method for producing carbon black worldwide is by combusting mineral oil with oxygen inside large furnaces. There are various types of carbon black – the carbon black for tires has a diameter of less than 200 Å. Carbon black imparts strength and toughness to a tire as well as improving the rubber’s resistance to tearing, abrasion.
Occupational diseases caused by exposure to carbon black
Unfortunately, due to its chemical-physical characteristics that determine its use, there are risks from exposure to carbon black for human health. In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC, designated carbon black as a Group 2B carcinogen, that is, “possibly carcinogenic to humans” while, the German MAK Commission classified carbon black as a category 3B suspect carcinogen.
However, based on recent studies conducted, the correlation between short-term exposure to high concentrations of carbon black powder and chronic inflammation of the upper respiratory tract is evident.
The activities with the highest potential for occupational exposure to carbon black within the tire industry are those related to manual handling (e.g., bag slitting, bulk weighing, sample preparation, and dry batch preparation).
The inhalation of other volatile substances present in the work environment in addition to carbon black could lead to workers contracting other serious diseases, such as cancer of the lung, oesophagus, stomach and bladder as well as diseases of the upper respiratory tract and leukaemia.
How to protect the respiratory system from risk of carbon black exposure
A risk is defined as a probability or threat of damage, injury, liability, loss, or any other negative occurrence that is caused by external or internal vulnerabilities, and that may be avoided through pre-emptive action.
It is evident that before reaching a critical point, potential exposure limits need to be identified and appropriate protection measures need to be taken in order to ensure good occupational hygiene practices. The methods currently used consist in implementing engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation and the use of a central vacuum cleaning system and, when these controls are not sufficient, respiratory protective devices.
Respiratory protective devices include face pieces equipped with appropriate filters to block out the contaminants present in the atmosphere. There are various types of respiratory protective devices to be used depending on the respiratory hazard present in the workplace. These include air purifying respirators with half-masks, full face masks, PAPRs, SARs and self-contained breathing apparatus. The choice of one respirator rather than another depends on the outcome of the mandatory risk assessments carried out at the place of work. A risk assessment needs to identify all the work hazards and the workers who may be exposed to them as well as implement workable solutions.
Jul 9 2018
Carbon black exposure risks-how to protect oneself
Carbon black is the general term used to describe a powdery commercial form of carbon. It is also known as Lamp black, Furnace black, Thermal black, and Channel black and is generated by the incomplete combustion of gaseous or liquid hydrocarbons (PAHs).
The most common method for producing carbon black worldwide is by combusting mineral oil with oxygen inside large furnaces. There are various types of carbon black – the carbon black for tires has a diameter of less than 200 Å. Carbon black imparts strength and toughness to a tire as well as improving the rubber’s resistance to tearing, abrasion.
Occupational diseases caused by exposure to carbon black
Unfortunately, due to its chemical-physical characteristics that determine its use, there are risks from exposure to carbon black for human health. In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC, designated carbon black as a Group 2B carcinogen, that is, “possibly carcinogenic to humans” while, the German MAK Commission classified carbon black as a category 3B suspect carcinogen.
However, based on recent studies conducted, the correlation between short-term exposure to high concentrations of carbon black powder and chronic inflammation of the upper respiratory tract is evident.
The activities with the highest potential for occupational exposure to carbon black within the tire industry are those related to manual handling (e.g., bag slitting, bulk weighing, sample preparation, and dry batch preparation).
The inhalation of other volatile substances present in the work environment in addition to carbon black could lead to workers contracting other serious diseases, such as cancer of the lung, oesophagus, stomach and bladder as well as diseases of the upper respiratory tract and leukaemia.
How to protect the respiratory system from risk of carbon black exposure
A risk is defined as a probability or threat of damage, injury, liability, loss, or any other negative occurrence that is caused by external or internal vulnerabilities, and that may be avoided through pre-emptive action.
It is evident that before reaching a critical point, potential exposure limits need to be identified and appropriate protection measures need to be taken in order to ensure good occupational hygiene practices. The methods currently used consist in implementing engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation and the use of a central vacuum cleaning system and, when these controls are not sufficient, respiratory protective devices.
Respiratory protective devices include face pieces equipped with appropriate filters to block out the contaminants present in the atmosphere. There are various types of respiratory protective devices to be used depending on the respiratory hazard present in the workplace. These include air purifying respirators with half-masks, full face masks, PAPRs, SARs and self-contained breathing apparatus. The choice of one respirator rather than another depends on the outcome of the mandatory risk assessments carried out at the place of work. A risk assessment needs to identify all the work hazards and the workers who may be exposed to them as well as implement workable solutions.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •