What are the risks for workers exposed to synthetic materials at the workplace? Which PPE should be used to avoid risks for the respiratory system in particular?
Production of Synthetic materials
Chemical manufacturing of synthetic materials is one of the most developed sectors of our country. Italy, in fact, has a long tradition of industrialization thanks to important research work carried out in laboratories located throughout the country and funded by some of the most important chemical companies in the world.
Producing synthetic materials means synthesizing materials in a laboratory through specific, complex chemical processes requiring extreme attention and precision and workers are exposed to harmful chemical compounds and solvents for many hours during the work shift. Among the most common risks that workers in this sector face is undoubtedly the constant exposure to reagents, solvents and indicators that they need to handle on the job.
These substances are basic chemicals that can be hazardous to health, especially when they come into contact with the skin and the respiratory system. In fact, many of them are highly volatile compounds that enter the respiratory system quite easily and cause irritation, inflammation, allergic reactions and, in some cases, even tissue burns. Moreover, recent international research has found that there is a relationship between Parkinson’s disease and exposure to certain industrial solvents.
Thanks to current occupational health and regulations, modern synthetic material production laboratories have been equipped with extractors and workbenches that help protect the workers from inhaling most of the harmful vapours in the work environment. These precautions are not always sufficient however, as they reduce, but do not eliminate, the risks to workers who come into contact with harmful solvents. For this reason, workers in this sector are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment.
Working with solvents: health hazards and protection devices
We have seen what may be the consequences of long exposures to solvents, however, ongoing and serious health risks may be limited by the use of PPE as prescribed by the law and current safety standards. Furthermore, while the use of gloves and protective suits is essential on the job, the respiratory protective device are even more important. Face masks or powered air purifying respirators may be used depending on the type of work to be carried out, but in general, when working in the field of synthetic materials, it is best to use a powered air purifying respirator which is safer and more reliable than masks only.
The difference between the two devices lies in the positive pressure which builds up inside the powered respirator and allows for comfortable breathing even under strain.
These respirators are equipped with filters which clean out the harmful chemical substances present in the environment, substances which, in some cases, have also been thought to cause cancer in workers who have had to do with them on the job.
Among the respiratory protective devices available on the market, the better known are the powered air purifying respirators supplied by KASCO srl.
Jul 24 2017
Synthetic material hazards: how to protect oneself
Production of Synthetic materials
Chemical manufacturing of synthetic materials is one of the most developed sectors of our country. Italy, in fact, has a long tradition of industrialization thanks to important research work carried out in laboratories located throughout the country and funded by some of the most important chemical companies in the world.
Producing synthetic materials means synthesizing materials in a laboratory through specific, complex chemical processes requiring extreme attention and precision and workers are exposed to harmful chemical compounds and solvents for many hours during the work shift. Among the most common risks that workers in this sector face is undoubtedly the constant exposure to reagents, solvents and indicators that they need to handle on the job.
These substances are basic chemicals that can be hazardous to health, especially when they come into contact with the skin and the respiratory system. In fact, many of them are highly volatile compounds that enter the respiratory system quite easily and cause irritation, inflammation, allergic reactions and, in some cases, even tissue burns. Moreover, recent international research has found that there is a relationship between Parkinson’s disease and exposure to certain industrial solvents.
Thanks to current occupational health and regulations, modern synthetic material production laboratories have been equipped with extractors and workbenches that help protect the workers from inhaling most of the harmful vapours in the work environment. These precautions are not always sufficient however, as they reduce, but do not eliminate, the risks to workers who come into contact with harmful solvents. For this reason, workers in this sector are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment.
Working with solvents: health hazards and protection devices
We have seen what may be the consequences of long exposures to solvents, however, ongoing and serious health risks may be limited by the use of PPE as prescribed by the law and current safety standards. Furthermore, while the use of gloves and protective suits is essential on the job, the respiratory protective device are even more important. Face masks or powered air purifying respirators may be used depending on the type of work to be carried out, but in general, when working in the field of synthetic materials, it is best to use a powered air purifying respirator which is safer and more reliable than masks only.
The difference between the two devices lies in the positive pressure which builds up inside the powered respirator and allows for comfortable breathing even under strain.
These respirators are equipped with filters which clean out the harmful chemical substances present in the environment, substances which, in some cases, have also been thought to cause cancer in workers who have had to do with them on the job.
Among the respiratory protective devices available on the market, the better known are the powered air purifying respirators supplied by KASCO srl.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •