Plastics

Where are the hazards?

Plastics are usually processed as pellets, granules or powders which include a number of additives such as fillers, pigments, fire retardants, stabilisers etc, depending upon requirements.

What are the risks?

The exact composition of any fume produced when the material is heated for processing will therefore vary, but any plastic fume can cause severe irritation to the eyes, nose and lungs. In some cases, the effects can be long term and irreversible and include occupational asthma.

How to control

Risks to health are greatly reduced where exposure to dusts and fumes is controlled with the use of local exhaust ventilation.