Carbon black is a fine powder used in the manufacture of many common products. Ninety percent of carbon black is used in rubber applications—tires, in particular—according to the International Carbon Black Association, while nine percent is used for pigments in paints and inks. It also goes by the names channel black, furnace black and thermal black. Around eighteen billion pounds of carbon black are produced every year. Producers begin with heavy petroleum products and refine them down to an odorless black powder of varying particle sizes.
A defining characteristic of all carbon black is its high surface area. The widespread industrial use of the substance has been traced to a variety of health problems. While its possible link to cancer is still being determined, carbon black remains a priority for dust collection in manufacturing environments.
Inhaling carbon black can cause irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs. The Centers for Disease Control warns of “cough, phlegm, tiredness, chest pain, and headache” in such cases. Even surface contact can irritate the skin and eyes. Carbon black has proven to be carcinogenic in animals, so there is serious concern about its widespread use in manufacturing. However, researchers have yet to find a solid link to cancer in humans. Presently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates carbon black as a category of dust and warns primarily of “accumulation of dust in pulmonary system.”
Hexavalent chromium is a common chemical compound that is generated from any source of ‘hot work’ on stainless steel. Inhaled hexavalent chromium is widely recognized as a human carcinogen that is extremely harmful to employee’s lungs if overly exposed. Some of the negative health effects associated with exposure to hexavalent chromium include occupational asthma, eye damage, respiratory irritation, and perforated eardrums. More severe internal effects may include kidney damage, liver damage, respiratory cancer, and pulmonary congestion. The health risks of exposure to this chemical can not only harm your staff, but they can also lead to lawsuits that may contribute to the decommissioning of your facility.[read_more id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Depending on the type of metal undergoing welding, different types of fumes and smoke will be produced and released in the workspace. Certain coatings can also have a toxic effect, including metal working fluids, oils, rust inhibitors, paints, solvents, plastics, cadmium plating, and more. Each of these chemicals can cause serious harm to employees or damage equipment over time, which is why it’s important to remove them from your facility as much as possible. With the right smoke and weld fume collection equipment installed in your facility, you’ll be able to provide sufficient protection for employees at all times, significantly reducing the possibility of health issues.
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Depending on the size of your facility and the level of hazardous dust your operations produce, DeGATECH Engineering team can design and install a system of dust collectors to reduce this risk and maintain employee health. Our dust collectors require minimal maintenance, with lower initial purchase prices.
